March 31, 1986 - Santa Fe Museum Train

(Photo courtesy of Craig Walker)

*  The above photograph shows ATSF 2394, one of Santa Fe's Alco RS-1, switching in San Bernardino's B Yard on January 26, 1974.  ATSF 2394 was the last Alco RS1 in service and was retired in San Bernardino.  In 1986, the engine became part of the Santa Fe Museum Train.

*  This engine was one of nine diesel engines and three steam locomotives (0-4-0 #5 'Little Buttercup', 4-8-4 #2925 and 2-10-4 #5021) that Santa Fe had stored in Albuquerque with the intention of building a railroad museum.

*  The museum never materialized and instead the engines were donated to the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento.

*  On March 31, 1986, the Santa Fe Museum Train with twelve historic engines departed New Mexico for California.

*  As of December 2014, San Bernardino's switcher, #2394, was in the California State Railroad Museum's Shop undergoing restoration.