In a Tuesday news release, museum officials say they’ve restored and successfully tested Santa Fe FP45 No. 92. Officials say National Railway Equipment Co. mechanically restored the locomotive at its Silvis, Ill., shops throughout winter 2018 following a 2017 fund drive.
Museum officials say now they are raising money to restore the locomotive’s exterior with sheet metal work and original red-and-silver “Warbonnet” paint and trim. The locomotive is expected to appear much as it did during its run on the Chicago to Los Angeles Super Chief passenger train.
The locomotive will operate on the museum’s in-house demonstration railroad pulling tourist trains throughout the season.
EMD built the locomotive in LaGrange, Ill., in 1967 as No. 102. After the creation of Amtrak and discontinuance of Santa Fe passenger trains, No. 92 hauled freight train under the Super C service and in 1989 was one of two locomotives featured in the debut of Santa Fe’s then Super Fleet service.
Santa Fe successor BNSF Railway donated the locomotive to the museum in 1997 in non-operating condition.
