ATSF 98

EMD FP45 (later SDFP45)

-John Smatlak photo-

In 1967 the Santa Fe took delivery of nine FP-45’s (including number 98) which were the last passenger locomotives delivered to the railroad. They pulled the Super Chief and other famous Santa Fe passenger trains until the advent of Amtrak in 1971, after which they continued serving the system in blue and yellow freight colors. In the early 1980’s, the 98 and its sister FP-45s were rebuilt at the Santa Fe’s San Bernardino shops for continued freight service. In June of 1989 the Santa Fe revived the classic red-yellow-silver Warbonnet paint scheme as its “Super Fleet” colors, and the former FP-45s were the first locomotives repainted.

The Santa Fe’s “Warbonnet” color scheme is among the most widely-recognized corporate logos in the railroad industry. Created to add a splash of color to the railroad’s new diesel streamliners in the 1930’s, the design was used through the end of passenger service and was later reintroduced for intermodal freight service. Several decades of Santa Fe advertising featured the brightly-colored locomotives in magazine and travel ads, and the toy train industry also helped make them famous by producing models featuring the Warbonnet color scheme.

The FP-45s were built with a 3600 hp 20-cylinder prime mover and 6 traction motors, and were geared for fast running in excess of 90 mph. Donated in operational condition by the BNSF in 1997, ATSF 98 is used regularly on the Museum Railway. Built in 1967, it is also the most modern rail vehicle in the Museum's Permanent Collection.

Additional Photos:


At the San Bernardino station 10/07

Links:

Link to Jim Fuhrman's FP-45 page

Santa Fe page

Page updated 10/29/07