By Railfan & Railroad Staff

PERRIS, Calif. — Individuals are raising money to save the second GP7 locomotive ever built for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway. Santa Fe 2651, now BNSF Railway 3837, was built by EMD in La Grange, Ill in October 1950. The locomotive is currently in storage and is slated to be scrapped later this year. 

Bob Finan has set up a GoFundMe page to raise $50,000 to purchase the locomotive or make a large donation to the Southern California Railroad Museum in Perris, Calif. so that it can acquire it. The individuals have said they have until July 31 to raise the money, which will cover the cost of the locomotive and making it roadworthy for movement to California. 

The locomotive had a high hood until it was rebuilt as a chopped nose GP7u in Cleburne, Tex. in 1981. The locomotive was painted into BNSF orange and green following the merger with the Burlington Northern.