Steam & Excursion > ATSF 3751

Another find on Bluesky. I haven't seen an announcement from SBRHS but I can believe it.

Relevent passage on the bottom.

Wouldn't Dec. 27 be 35 years to the day her first excursion on the California Limited left LAUPT? 

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Who posted this on Bluesky?

They go by "Laggy". Handle @idiotlaggy, but another person named @metelheadrailfan is backing this up claiming a group in Topeka they work with already knew of this. 

I seem to recall the PV owner who purportedly wrote what is in the image posts here fwiw.

As with the post about NS, I'm just the messenger here. But given what's already been said about their dealings with Amtrak and the fact that there is volunteer crossover between SBRHS and NMHR and this was previously floated years ago, I'm still inclined to believe it. 

The whole Ad is literally in the classifieds section here on Trainorders

Posted from Android



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/16/26 21:00 by andrewamtrak.

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I see that now. I don't generally look at that section.

Edit has been made to remove any mention of 3751, I see now.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/17/26 00:57 by GP40.

Does the mention of "its new home in Albuquerque" refer to any new developments in the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society's efforts to establish a new home for the 3751 locomotive?

Thanks for any info,
Oliver Barrett

That's what's being inferred. I think most of the fans on BS have gone to bed (I don't have that luxury tonight) but one thing that was said - unconfirmed officially - is that SBRHS will effectively merge with NMHR.

That would be the sensible thing to do since they'd have no ties to Southern California anymore with this move, presuming it happens. Apparently some volunteers are already involved in both groups as well. 

I'm sure there will be official statements soon.

Interesting, I am assuming that IF this does happen that this would be a deadhead move in tow behind a BNSF Diesel for 3751. Would love to see her operate on the point over to New Mexico but think in today’s Class 1 RR environment that would not be likely. I have heard from a few people that BNSF is not too interested in hosting steam locomotive specials at this time.

If this turns out to be true, I really hope locals in SoCal don't upend this by pitching a fit about it. The SBRHS and NMHR will be much stronger together as one entity.

SCREAMINGCRYING Wrote:
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> If this turns out to be true, I really hope locals
> in SoCal don't upend this by pitching a fit about
> it. The SBRHS and NMHR will be much stronger
> together as one entity.

No, they'll just stop sending their money.

PHall Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SCREAMINGCRYING Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > If this turns out to be true, I really hope
> locals
> > in SoCal don't upend this by pitching a fit
> about
> > it. The SBRHS and NMHR will be much stronger
> > together as one entity.
>
> No, they'll just stop sending their money.

Exactly! Nobody in Southern California is going to donate, i.e. "send money" ,to New Mexico, since their famous Santa Fe 4-8-4 (#3751) is gone. 

HotWater Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> PHall Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > SCREAMINGCRYING Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > If this turns out to be true, I really hope
> > locals
> > > in SoCal don't upend this by pitching a fit
> > about
> > > it. The SBRHS and NMHR will be much stronger
> > > together as one entity.
> >
> > No, they'll just stop sending their money.
>
> Exactly! Nobody in Southern California is going to
> donate, i.e. "send money" ,to New Mexico, since
> their famous Santa Fe 4-8-4 (#3751) is gone. 


But what would you rather have?

A place to send your money where the potential and the future of operations expands from Belen to Lamy on state owned mainline where there is already a JUA in place?

Or a place where IF we are lucky we get to see her run from her compound to LA Union Station and back once every other year…

I’d rather see her and her cousin cruise around New Mexico proper than rust away in a fenced compound you are never allowed to go to in downtown LA.

Just my two cents…

Posted from iPhone



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/17/26 22:50 by ColdWaterAlarmist.

ATSF 3751, has always been  "Our Engine" in Southern California.  Portland has the 4449   UP has steam in  Cheyenne, Other parts of the US had their steam locomotives   # 611,  #251 etc
But now it looks like it will go back to the days, before the 3751 was restored and large steam in Southern California, will just be photographs and memories  Seeing her leave,  will be like having an
old and good friend passing away..I turn 85 in November, and I doubt I will ever travel to Albuquerque to see 3751 and 2926 working together.

Vin Scully quote:    Don t be sad that it's over. Smile because it happened.  

 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/17/26 23:43 by Trainman41.

It is a long way from home for the members.  In my opinion the best scenario would be something where the organization acquires or leases land off the Grand Canyon Railway, builds a work facility and has an agreement with the Grand Canyon Railway to operate.  The locomotive could get out and run a few times a summer providing satisfaction of its members, while also providing motive power to the Grand Canyon Railway on occasion.  Grand Canyon gets customers that come to ride providing some business for them and less operating expenses from not having paid employees maintain a steam locomotive.

Todd Clark
Canyon Country, CA
Trainorders.com

webmaster Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It is a long way from home for the members.  In
> my opinion the best scenario would be something
> where the organization acquires or leases land off
> the Grand Canyon Railway, builds a work facility
> and has an agreement with the Grand Canyon Railway
> to operate.  The locomotive could get out and run
> a few times a summer providing satisfaction of its
> members, while also providing motive power to the
> Grand Canyon Railway on occasion.  Grand Canyon
> gets customers that come to ride providing some
> business for them and less operating expenses from
> not having paid employees maintain a steam
> locomotive.

She'd be more up to the task of pulling the now very long and popular trains than 4960 is too. 

Between the GCR and Albuquerque, I think Albuquerque is the better call.
 

SCREAMINGCRYING Wrote:
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> Between the GCR and Albuquerque, I think
> Albuquerque is the better call.

I don't. The Grand Canyon  Railway already has an operating rail line, and 3751 has been there previously. Plus, it is closer to their volunteer base in southern California. Not to mention that the Grand Canyon is "steam friendly" with many, MANY experienced steam people, especially Engineers. No such thing in New Mexico.

So in the future there be two restored Santa Fe 4-8-4's in Albuquerque, with no cars to pull and no place to run in the foreseeable future. Amazingly, people still clamor to restore various locomotives on display or build one from scratch, knowing in all probability, there will be no place to operate them. I'm glad 3759 was left alone.. It's accessible, in the state it was retired in, with out all the modifications required in modern railroading.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/19/26 05:20 by needles_sub.

HotWater Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SCREAMINGCRYING Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Between the GCR and Albuquerque, I think
> > Albuquerque is the better call.
>
> I don't. The Grand Canyon  Railway already has an
> operating rail line, and 3751 has been there
> previously. Plus, it is closer to their volunteer
> base in southern California. Not to mention that
> the Grand Canyon is "steam friendly" with many,
> MANY experienced steam people, especially
> Engineers. No such thing in New Mexico.


There aren’t experienced steam people in New Mexico? Especially Engineers?

Huh…never knew that was the case.

Fascinating. I guess what we’ve been watching since 2024 has been AI?

Posted from iPhone

webmaster Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It is a long way from home for the members.  In
> my opinion the best scenario would be something
> where the organization acquires or leases land off
> the Grand Canyon Railway, builds a work facility
> and has an agreement with the Grand Canyon Railway
> to operate.  The locomotive could get out and run
> a few times a summer providing satisfaction of its
> members, while also providing motive power to the
> Grand Canyon Railway on occasion.  Grand Canyon
> gets customers that come to ride providing some
> business for them and less operating expenses from
> not having paid employees maintain a steam
> locomotive.

Who is to say that option wasn’t explored and the Grand Canyon wouldn’t play ball?

Posted from iPhone