Recently added this logo to my fleet. Regrettably, haven't been able to find too much about it's history on the web. Did it haul passenger, freight or both? If passenger, which cars? The logo features a coal tender, but I understand some versions were converted to oil? What was its route? Etc. I did find its route was limited to flat terrain so it may not been on any Cali gold non-stop route? Any info would be much appreciated. Thank you.
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There was no Santa Fe steam locomotive with that number. What manufacture produced the locomotive, what is the item number for it, and what is the locomotive wheel arrangement?
Thank you for your reply. Sorry, you are correct. The correct number is 3463. Santa Fe, All the Way!
3460 class Hudson:
Santa Fe class 3460 - Wikipedia
Pulled passenger trains, not freight. All were oil burners (the tender on you locomotive is incorrect). Santa Fe ran them from Chicago, IL to La Junta, CO. Prior to 1946 they could be on the streamlined, lightweight Chief, after 1946 they were usually on heavyweight or mixed heavyweight/lightweight trains like The Grand Canyon, California Limited, or Scout . They also pulled The Fast Mail Express, which consisted of baggage cars, RPOs, express box cars, and other foreign road mail traffic.
The following is what I've been able to pick up over the years after purchasing an MTH #3463 ATSF Hudson.
The ATSF 3400-345x were referred to as Pacifics even if they had a 2-axle trailing truck. My understanding is that they started out as Pacifics and were later modified. Pecos River Brass imported a brass model of the 3450 series "Hudson" (they fetch a pretty penny on eBay as they rarely show up). The 3460-series were built as Hudsons. From what I've been able to glean, they were mostly passenger, but also hauled freight (similar to what happened with the 2900 and 3700 Northerns).
Hudson #3460 was streamlined and was bright blue and silver, AKA "Blue Goose" or "Blue Bird" and was the only streamlined locomotive in the ATSF fleet. Unfortunately, it was also one of the first ones to fall to the torches. 3460 was assigned primarily to fast mail service, but did see some passenger service. There were NO BLUE GOOSE streamlined passenger cars.
Hope this helps some.
Gentlemen:
Thank you all.
Quote: "Prior to 1946 they could be on the streamlined, lightweight Chief, after 1946 they were usually on heavyweight or mixed heavyweight/lightweight trains like... Does this mean the 3463 may have run in tandem with the early diesel (FT) and later F3,4s (assuming these can be designated heavyweights)? Got the inauthentic coal car on the Santa Fe 3463. Too bad Lionel overlooked it. Lastly, what model cars can be added to the 3463 for authenticity (all types associated with this model)? Where can they be found? Greatly appreciated.
Guys: Got it. The term heavy weight refers to paint and varnish pre Budd passenger cars?
Heavyweight passenger cars are usually steel cars built prior to the late 1930s that were usually painted green and had 6 wheel trucks.
Lightweight cars are usually built from the late 1930s onward. They were stainless steel or cor-ten steel.
3460 class Hudsons would run on passenger trains in the same time frame as the F3s/F7s/PAs were being delivered. The new diesels would take the top trains (Super Chief, El Capitan, Chief) while the steam locomotives would take the other trains, until enough diesels were delivered to replace steam.
3460 class Hudsons were not used in freight service besides test runs after shopping (repairs). Their 84" drivers made them too slippery and unsuitable for freight service. All 3460 class Hudsons were retired by 1953 because they couldn't be used in freight service.
Lou: By top and other trains, you mean cars?
So, if I'm reading you correctly, I'm in need of prototype heavy weights. Unfortunately, my layout will only use 36 min curve? Any ideas?
@dscrockett posted:Lou: By top and other trains, you mean cars?
Top trains would be the premier named trains, the fanciest of the fanciest, …..the most luxurious, and quickest routes,……other trains, Lou means lessor trains, less accommodations, not so the quickest routes, added stops, and less luxury,….
Pat
The "heavyweight" cars were heavy, weighing around 80 tons (hence the six-wheel trucks); whereas the lightweight aluminum and Cor-Ten steel cars might be 35-40 tons.
Thank you all. Found your responses very informative. Any further comments appreciated.
Guys....I deleted all of the posts that were not appropriate for the real trains forum. If you want to start a thread about the model / toy, then please do so in the Lionel or MTH forums.
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