Santa Fe No. 3751

Santa Fe No. 3751 is a class 3751 4-8-4 "Northern" type steam locomotive which was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1927 for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway (AT&SF). It was retired from revenue service in 1957 and later restored to operating condition for excursion service in 1991 by the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society. On August 10, 2021, it was test-fired for the first time since its last excursion run in late 2017. As of 2021, the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society is also considering on equipping 3751 with Positive Train Control (PTC). As of September 21, 2022, its FRA mandated 1,472-day boiler inspection and overhaul has been completed and it operated for the first time since late 2017 bound for Fullerton, CA and participated in Amtrak's Track Safety Community event on September 24 and 25, 2022.
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==History==
Santa Fe No. 3751 was used to haul passenger trains toward the End of the Steam Era in the US in 1957 with the rest of its 4-8-4 "brothers" and remained preserved on static display until 1989, when the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society decided to rebuild and restore 3751 after being in such poor condition and suffering lack of maintenance and vandalism from the park it was originally displayed in (similar to SP 4449's dilemma). Its top speed is 120 mph.
In 1991, 3751 returned to the rails with preservationists' efforts as well as assistance from Santa Fe. Its first excursion was pulling a mixed train of passenger and freight cars, which served as its "trial run" (or test run) to demonstrate or prove 3751's operating capabilities. Yet, because of "his" age, 3751 stalled towards the end of its run, thus the need for having diesel locomotives assist the aging steam locomotive was actually necessary. Thus, a week after its first test run, 3751 hauled its very first passenger excursion train; the California Limited; between Los Angeles and Bakersfield and back for the first time in many years with the help of two Santa Fe "Warbonnet" painted FP45 type diesel locomotives repainted and renumbered for excursion service with 3751. 
By late 2017, 3751's 15-year boiler ticket had expired, and afterwards, it underwent an overhaul. On August 10, 2021, 3751 was test-fired for the first time since 2017. On August 30, 2022, the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society announced that 3751 will be returning to operation on September 24th and 25, 2022 to participate in Amtrak's Track Safety Community event in Fullerton, CA where will be on display under steam there. On September 21, 2022, it operated for the first time since late 2017 bound for Fullerton, CA for that event.
==Trivia== 
*3751 is the first Northern type steam locomotive for the AT&SF and was also the first Northern type steam locomotive manufactured by the Baldwin Locomotive Works.
*On June 1, 2008, 3751 had a minor fire due to a backsplash in its firebox.
*In September 2008, 3751 ran the AAPRCO (American Association of Private Railroad Car Owners) San Diegan, A Private Varnish Special, from Los Angeles to San Diego and back. This move was the highlight of the AAPRCO's annual convention that year.
*In August 2002, 3751 went to Williams, AZ, for the annual NRHS convention. The locomotive also double-headed with GCRY (Grand Canyon Railway) 4960 to pull a special charter train to the Grand Canyon and back. Later, 3751 and GCRY 4960 triple headed with GCRY 18.
*In May 2011, and 2009, 3751 was invited by Amtrak for display at Los Angeles Union Station for National Train Day.
*In June 2004, 3751 was invited to participate in the rededication of the San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot following an extensive restoration effort.
*In 1986, 3751 was moved from its display to California Steel Industries, where it was restored at a cost of $1.5 million and in 1991, operated for the first time in 38 years. Since then, it has done countless excursions and special trips and gone to many events.
*On April 22, 1995, 3751's original Santa Fe 5-Chime Freight whistle was replaced with its new Santa Fe 6-Chime Passenger whistle, during the 1995 Riverside Orange Blossom Festival Excursion, and just 5 months before the BNSF merger.
*3751 was featured on "Santa Fe 3751: Los Angeles to Chicago", "There Goes a Train", "Train Songs", "Train Adventures for Kids: The Magical World of Trains" and "Symphony in Steam", as well as scenes from the films "Pearl Harbor" and "Boots Malone".
*On June 22, 1952, 3751 was seen hauling the Grand Canyon Limited with help from F-7 No. 313.
*In May 2007, 3751 was invited to participate in the annual Fullerton Railroad Days in Orange County. This locomotive was also to be put on display in Fullerton and was the lead locomotive for the special movement along the BNSF's San Bernardino Subdivision.
*In 1992, 3751 was seen hauling the Employee Appreciation Special traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago and back with help from three and later two of Santa Fe "Warbonnet" painted GE C40-8 diesels.
*In 2012, 3751 went back to Williams, AZ for the second annual NRHS convention.
*3751 is typically sometimes seen with one or more Amtrak P42DC type locomotives following. The diesel assistance is necessary for three reasons: protection, power, and dynamic braking. Protection against 3751 failing en route and tying up a mainline, providing HEP power for any following passenger cars, and utilizing the diesel locomotive's dynamic braking and crash into the tank car when going down steep grades.
*In May 2013, 3751 ran on a fourth trip to the San Bernardino Railroad Days Festival.
*In May 2001, 3751 was displayed at Fullerton Railroad Days in Fullerton, CA.
*A second locomotive of the same class has also been preserved, that being AT&SF 3759 in Kingman, Arizona. It too is listed on the NRHP.
*As of late July 2021, 3751 is one of two operational AT&SF 4-8-4 type locomotives, the other one being AT&SF 2926.
*On September 21, 2022, following the completion of its FRA mandated 1,472-day boiler inspection and overhaul, it operated for the first time since late bound for Fullerton, CA to participate in Amtrak's Track Safety Community event on September 24 and 25, 2022.
*As of late September 2022, upon returning to service, 3751 has successfully been equipped with Positive Train Control (PTC) technology, becoming the third mainline steam excursion locomotive to be equipped with PTC technology, the first two being UP 4014 and AT&SF 2926.
==See also == 
*Gallery
Category:Steam locomotives
Category:Tender locomotives
Category:Santa Fe locomotives
Category:Baldwin locomotives
Category:4-8-4 steam locomotives
Category:Eight-coupled locomotives
Category:American locomotives
Category:4-8-4 locomotives
Category:Locomotives featured in media
Category:Built in 1927
Category:Excursion locomotives
Category:Locomotives
Category:American steam locomotives
Category:Standard gauge locomotives
Category:United States
Category:Restored locomotives
Category:Oil-fired locomotives
Category:Amtrak locomotives
Category:Rebuilds
Category:METROLINK LOCOMOTIVES
Category:Preserved steam locomotives
Category:Preserved locomotives
Category:Standard gauge locomotives of the United States