Posted on 05/08/2010 5:11:09 PM PDT by Willie Green
SAN BERNARDINO - The platform was packed for the belching black behemoth's arrival. Hundreds showed up at the Santa Fe Depot on Saturday to catch a rare glimpse of the vintage steam locomotive.
Historic engine No. 3751 was the main attraction at the second annual Railroad Days, which also commemorated Amtrack's National Train Day and San Bernardino's bicentennial.
"Everybody likes trains," said Allen Bone, vice president of the San Bernardino Historical and Pioneer Society, which put on the event along with the city. "San Bernardino was basically founded by the railroad. It was a great part of the city for many years."
Rick Colella of Twentynine Palms was impressed by the size and power of the locomotive.
"They're amazing machines," Colella said. "They were the space shuttles of their time."
Built in 1927, the 3751 is the oldest 4-8-4 "Northern" type steam locomotive around. Its innovative design featured four wheels in front, eight driving wheels and four trailing wheels.
The engine used coal for fuel but was converted to burn oil in 1936. In 1941, it was rebuilt with 80-inch wheels that allowed it to reach speeds of 90 miles per hour.
Between 1942 and 1946, the 3751 made regular 1,789-mile jaunts pulling passenger trains between Kansas City, Mo., and Los Angeles.
Taken out of service in 1958, it was given to the people of San Bernardino and placed in Viaduct Park near the depot. In 1985, the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society acquired it for $1 Advertisement from the city. It was later restored and is housed at Redondo Junction in Los Angeles.
To celebrate Railroad Days, the locomotive made the journey from L.A. to San Bernardino pulling a Metrolink car and four classic passenger cars from the 1940s and 50s.
Mayor Pat Morris rode in on the engine to greet the crowd.
"This was a fabulous ride," Morris said. "To see them twist those valves and blow the whistle was a complete delight."
The 3751 is on display through 3 p.m. Sunday. Railroad Days also features model railroads, live music, food and antique cars.
The headline made me laugh, but only because I thought “Jeepers, how late was it?”
/johnny
ROTFLOL!
This same engine made a run from LA to San Diego & back last weekend. The whistle starts and ends without the harshness of modern trains - it was a captivating and thought provoking experience to hear it in the distance as it went through the various road crossings nearby.
my first train ride when a young boy was on a passenger car being being pulled by a steam engine. mother took me to chicago for the day. i was very excited.
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