By Railfan & Railroad Staff
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The newly-restored Santa Fe SD45-2 5704, wearing its iconic mid-1970s bicentennial red, white and blue scheme, will make its public debut at Kansas City Union Station next week from June 14 to 19, during the annual Santa Fe Railway Historical & Modeling Society convention.
After the locomotive’s display in Kansas City, it will head west to Perris, Calif., and its new home at the Southern California Railway Museum. The locomotive was restored to its 1970s appearance in late 2021 and early 2022 at Mid-America Car. The locomotive was donated to the California museum by BNSF Railway in 2020. ClassOneModelWorks.com handled the overall project management of the cosmetic restoration and worked closely with other organizations to ensure its accuracy. Locomotive 5704 was one of five SD45-2s painted into the unique scheme to celebrate America’s 200th birthday.
“We’re delighted to host the beautifully restored, red, white and blue, Santa Fe 5704, beginning on Flag Day, June 14,” said Union Station Kansas City President and CEO George Guastello. “We believe the community will appreciate this one-time opportunity to see a unique locomotive before it departs for its California home. Union Station Kansas City represents, and celebrates the city’s rich railroad heritage.”
Railfan & Railroad Managing Editor Otto Vondrak will be in Kansas City to provide live updates on our social media platforms from the public unveiling event.
