Steam & Excursion > Moreau collection: ATSF 2921 in 1949

With the news that Santa Fe 2921 is to be moved from its long-time display spot in Beard Brook Park, Modesto, CA to a site near the current Amtrak station east of town, here's a photo from the Western Railway Museum Archives taken back when the engine moving wasn't news. An unidentified photographer captured the big machine at Los Angeles, CA in March of 1949 when she was just about halfway through her brief career. Built in 1944, the engine was taken out of service for the last time at Wellington, KS in July of 1955.

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That is one beautiful b&w picture.
Thanks.
Gary

I find it interesting to note that at this late date this engine was still in it's "as delivered" configuration without any of the #4 driver/tandem rod/stack lifter upgrades. As a native San Diegan I recall a rumor that this engine was originally destined for San Diego for donation, only there was no local plan in place to remove it from the property in a timely manner or something like that. As a result, it went to Modesto of all places for a 2900.

Wonderful portrait of American Beauties..

Yes, it's interesting that she has 'plain bearing' driving rods....
The Timkens (on the rods) came about when?

W.

Was there not some concern of Flooding of the San Joaquin River overflowing a levee yesterday in the area?
The 2921 has seen its share of floods down in the park there.

James R.(Jim) Baker
Whittier, CA

wcamp1472 Wrote:

> Yes, it's interesting that she has 'plain bearing'
> driving rods....
> The Timkens (on the rods) came about when?

Lloyd Stagner's article in the February 1987 Trains Magazine says 1946-48, but if the date of this photo is correct, the program evidently stretched into 1949. Wonder if 2921 still had its steel bell as well.

Chico43 Wrote:
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> I find it interesting to note that at this late
> date this engine was still in it's "as delivered"
> configuration without any of the #4 driver/tandem
> rod/stack lifter upgrades. As a native San Diegan
> I recall a rumor that this engine was originally
> destined for San Diego for donation, only there
> was no local plan in place to remove it from the
> property in a timely manner or something like
> that. As a result, it went to Modesto of all
> places for a 2900.

I wished it came to San Diego, I would have played on it had that happened. Maybe it would have been located in La Mesa or somewhere.

What a beautiful beast!  Look at the size of those drive wheels--definitely built for high speed service!

Evan, I have two nearly identical photos of 2921, purchased from the late Harold K. Volrath and from Stan Kistler. They must have been standing side by side, as even the other details in the photos match. Both gentlemen listed the photos as taken in April 1948 at Argentine, KS, and both show the later version of roller bearing equipt side rods. That's a date conflict with your photo. I wonder when the rods were actually updated?