A truly "hands-on" preservation project, Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fe steam locomotive #3463 in Topeka, Kansas, has been undergoing a cosmetic restoration under the guidance of the Coalition for Sustainable Rail, the locomotive's owners. As a member of the local volunteer group, I have been involved in developing concepts for a future shelter for the locomotive, as well as participating in the on-site work of painting the locomotive. A lifelong railfan, the project has allowed me to combine my passions for both railroad history and historic preservation in my free time, and make a contribution to saving an important artifact of local history.
The locomotive, with parts removed to storage for safekeeping.
3463 has the largest diameter driving wheels of any surviving American steam locomotive, at nearly 8'-0".
Leading a tour in 2019 for TreanorHL design Charente
The state of the tender prior to painting
Numbering marked out on repainted black and ready for silver paint
Painting in numbers with silver paint matching ATSF historic paint
It takes teamwork for a locomotive this large!
Done!
The silver Sharpie was our friend for stenciling!
Designs developed by the TreanorHL design charette were based on this early concept for a two-stall display and maintenance facility.
