Many folks know of the story of the two ATSF 2-8-2 steam loco's that were lost due to flooding in Kansas back in the 50's. Briefly, the Santa Fe tried to save a bridge by parking the two ill-fated steamers on it but it didn't work; the bridge fell, taking the two Mike's into the river. Supposedly all that was done after the flood was the railroad cut off any parts sticking up out of the river but left the rest.

My question, does anyone have any photos, anyone thinking about retrieving them (while the ATSF donated tons of engines to cities, no 2-8-2's were spared)... Any "rest of the story" info on this legend?

Thanks,

Dan Decker
Wichita, KS

wichita_rails@msn.com

If you go to Rumorweb it tells of 2 2-8-2s & a 2-6-2 but doesn't give any details.........Wooly

> Many folks know of the story of the two ATSF
> 2-8-2 steam loco's that were lost due to
> flooding in Kansas back in the 50's.
> Briefly, the Santa Fe tried to save a bridge
> by parking the two ill-fated steamers on it
> but it didn't work; the bridge fell, taking
> the two Mike's into the river. Supposedly
> all that was done after the flood was the
> railroad cut off any parts sticking up out
> of the river but left the rest.

> My question, does anyone have any photos,
> anyone thinking about retrieving them (while
> the ATSF donated tons of engines to cities,
> no 2-8-2's were spared)... Any "rest of
> the story" info on this legend?

> Thanks,

> Dan Decker
> Wichita, KS


wooly421@charter.net

Check out these pictures of the Flood of 1951 including the Santa Fe Bridge

http://ks.water.usgs.gov/Kansas/waterwatch/flood/fld51.photos.html
tc@juris.cc

Dan,

These are more than just legend. There was an article in Locomotive and Railway Preservation Magazine back in the late 1980's showing a picture of some Santa Fe workers torching off some parts from the 2-6-2?. Yes, the locomotives are down in the river somewhere. It would take some work and a relatively dry river to pull them out, but if the Titanic could be found I'm sure they could be found also. I believe it was said in the article that the Santa Fe workers only found one of the 2-8-2s so one may remain relatively intact. It was suggested that it would be a good exercise for the Army Corps or Engineers - I am certain it would be quite difficult to remove them, but not impossible. You have to wonder if the mud would help preserve or deteriorate these locomotives. It sure would be interesting to see. Hope this helps,

Paul A. Hubbard

> Many folks know of the story of the two ATSF
> 2-8-2 steam loco's that were lost due to
> flooding in Kansas back in the 50's.
> Briefly, the Santa Fe tried to save a bridge
> by parking the two ill-fated steamers on it
> but it didn't work; the bridge fell, taking
> the two Mike's into the river. Supposedly
> all that was done after the flood was the
> railroad cut off any parts sticking up out
> of the river but left the rest.

> My question, does anyone have any photos,
> anyone thinking about retrieving them (while
> the ATSF donated tons of engines to cities,
> no 2-8-2's were spared)... Any "rest of
> the story" info on this legend?

> Thanks,

> Dan Decker
> Wichita, KS


hubbard5004@att.net

According to Worley's big Santa Fe book and a Santa Fe machinist who was there, here is what happened:

Three locomotives were lost. These were 2-6-2 1035 and 2-8-2s 3167 and 4076. They were left where they fell, the bridge was repaired, and the RR resumed operations. The nearby Rock Island bridge was weighted down with loaded gondolas, and also lost (they're probably still there also).

In 1956, it was a drought year and the Kaw River was very low. The Santa Fe sent some shop workers down in the river bed to cut off protruding parts that stuck up above the mud. Parts were cut off the 2-6-2 and one of the Mikados, but the other was never found, and presumably still lies there intact. Reportedly this was required because the Kansas (Kaw) River was (is?) considered a navigable waterway by the Corps of Engineers. Somewhere I have a photo of the cutting taking place, but don't have time to find it now. Finding these would be an interesting project for someone learning to use modern magnetic or other imaging equipment, such as university students.

Clive Cussler, of TV's "The Sea Hunters" might be interested, as he previously partook in an unsuccessful search for a Kansas Pacific 4-6-0 in eastern Colorado. We know these engines are there, whereas the Colorado example was just a legend. The story would make an interesting TV show, so has some saleable merit.

Before people get too deep into the idea of dragging that Mikado out and firing it up again, just getting an image of where and how they lay would be a first start. The west has been awful dry lately, perhaps now would be a good time to start.

ryarger@rypn.org

Stored in Newton, Kansas, in 1935.

http://photoswest.org/cgi-bin/imager?00000238+OP-238
ryarger@rypn.org

> Stored in Newton, Kansas, in 1935.

That's the same class engine as the "Death Valley Scotty" 1010, no?



dstorzek@elnet.com