3420
Locomotive 3420 is a 1904 Baldwin Locomotive Works product produced
for the El Paso and Southwestern. It was transferred to the Southern Pacific
in 1924 when Espee merged the EP & SW system into its own. It is a
consolidation type 2-8-0 wheel arrangement. 3420 was presented to the City
of El Paso in 1956 and was put on static display in front of the Union Passenger
Station. In 1981, a group of railroad enthusiasts proposed to restore 3420
to operating status in time for El Paso's Four Centuries 81 celebration which
also would be the 100th anniversary of the railroad's entry into El Paso.
Experts doubted it could be done at all, and if so, would cost upwards of
$100,000 and five years. With dedicated volunteers and community support,
it was done in a year for about $10,000 and 3420 did run in the 4 Centuries
celebration. At the present time, it is not certified for operation
due to some additional boiler work needed. It is located with our other
equipment at the Phelps-Dodge plant in El Paso and can be seen by appointment
with a chapter member.
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