Steam & Excursion > Santa Fe 2900s Question

I'm curious as to why Santa Fe chose to number its last 4-8-4s the 2900s rather than continue the 3700-series, was it due to the wartime restrictions resulting in the heavier metals or did they simply run out of 3700 numbers?  Thanks for any info!

The short answer is yes, there weren't enough 3700 series numbers left.  The 3751 class took 3751-3764 slots while other 4-8-4 orders took 3765-3775 and 3776-3785 slots.  When they ordered 30 4-8-4 in 1943, there wasn't enough slots as only 3786-3799 (15 slots) were left.  3800 to 3940 were used by 141 of Santa Fe's 2-10-2 Santa Fe types.  The low 4000's were also filled with Mikados and 22 Berkshires as well.  Seemed 2900 block of numbers were open and available so they just used those numbers.

Wow, I've been wondering about this for a while as well, based on pictures of 3751 and 2926 I thought it may have had something to do with the 2900's having roller bearing rods... guess not.

5511_ Wrote:
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> Wow, I've been wondering about this for a while as
> well, based on pictures of 3751 and 2926 I thought
> it may have had something to do with the 2900's
> having roller bearing rods... guess not.

From what I remember, the 2900s built during WWII did NOT have the light weight and roller bearing rods. The Santa Fe later modified those locomotives with light weight and roller bearing rods, AFTER WWII.

AFAIK the only Santa Fe 4-8-4's that were delivered from the builder with roller bearing rods were the 3784 and 3785.