Engine 1809
Engine 1809, located on the east side of the town square at Slaton, Texas, is a beloved Slaton Icon. Its historical marker reads:
September 15 1955 the Santa Fe Railway Company officially dedicated the steam-powered engine to the City of Slaton. Presented by W.A.J. Carter, superintendent of the Slaton division of Santa Fe, the engine was accepted by Slaton Mayor L.B. Wooton. Engineer J.W. Pettigrew brought “1809” into the Slaton Railyard for her last journey before being retired. The Engine itself was built in 1906 by Baldwin Locomotive Works, a grand old name in steam engines. It has a 2-6-2 wheel arrangement, weighs 242,000 LBS. or 121 tons, could generate 200-pound steam pressure, has 70-inch drivers, and was used for both freight and passenger service.
At the dedication ceremony, special recognition was given to W. R. Lovett, Walter Cannon, Jack Steward, and Louis Smith, all of who were retired engineers of the Engine. In the dedication ceremonies, a special tribute was paid to the progress Santa Fe had made in the transition from steam to diesel. Melvin Kunkel, then President of the Slaton Chamber of Commerce, mentioned the possibility of a future transition from diesel to atomic power. In 1955, that was indeed a far-sighted statement! He also noted the role the train engine played in our agricultural economy. Making the run to Houston known as the “Cotton Special”, the train engine delivered cotton from this area to the Gulf ports.
Engine 1809 is one of the few remaining steam locomotives capable of moving under its power because no working part has been removed.
The State of Texas Historical Society offered to buy Engine 1809, but of course, the City has no intention of removing this iconic piece of Slaton’s history. Many local railroaders had ridden on “1809” before her retirement and hold fond memories of her service to Santa Fe and Slaton, Texas.
Engine 1803 from Above
Engine 1809 is a historical landmark in Slaton, Texas
Engine 1809 Side View
Engine 1809 is a Slaton, Texas Icon and historical landmark
Engine 1809 Front View
Engine 1809 in Slaton, Texas, from the front
Drone View of Train Engine
Drone View of Train Engine