Episode 3: ATSF Motive Power - The Beginning of Santa Fe's Mechanical Department.

In this video the story of locomotive development on the Santa Fe Railroad continues as Harry V. Faries is appointed Master Mechanic on July 1, 1870 . His appointment commemorates the beginning of Santa Fe's legendary Mechanical Department.

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In Episode 2 we discovered that the American Standard 4-4-0 locomotive used nationwide across the Eastern portion of the United States was woefully insufficient to handle the steep grades of Raton Pass. Even connecting two 4-4-0 locomotives would not provide sufficient power to effectively transport loaded railcars over the pass.

In this episode, ten 2-8-0 locomotives are ordered from the Baldwin Locomotives Works in Philadelphia to help ease the strain of getting rail traffic over the pass. The first of the ten 2-8-0 locomotives delivered was number 132.

After serving on Raton Pass for 20-years 132 was retired from Raton Pass duty and relegated to switching duties to finish out her useful years. We learn how 132 was ultimately preserved as Santa Fe's oldest surviving steam locomotive to this day.