Life-Like Proto 2000 Heritage Steam Collection No. 23336 is an HO scale model of Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe No. 1791, a massive articulated 2-8-8-2 steam locomotive with an unusual history stretching from the Norfolk & Western Railway to wartime service on the Santa Fe.
The TrainReference photographs show the Proto 2000 Santa Fe No. 1791 locomotive and tender in its black AT&SF appearance.
At a Glance
- Manufacturer: Life-Like
- Product line: Proto 2000 Heritage Steam Collection
- Item number: 23336
- Road: Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway
- Road number: 1791
- Prototype class: Santa Fe 1790 class / former N&W Y3
- Wheel arrangement: 2-8-8-2
- Scale: HO
Proto 2000 Santa Fe No. 1791
Life-Like produced Santa Fe No. 1791 as part of its Proto 2000 Heritage Steam Collection. The model represents one of the large articulated 2-8-8-2 locomotives acquired by the Santa Fe during World War II.
The original Life-Like model is identified as item No. 23336, decorated for AT&SF No. 1791.
This locomotive should not be confused with Santa Fe 233L. No. 233L was an EMD F7A diesel locomotive and is unrelated to the 2-8-8-2 steam locomotive represented here.
The Real Santa Fe No. 1791
Santa Fe No. 1791 began its career on the Norfolk & Western Railway as N&W No. 2022. The Y3-class 2-8-8-2 was built by ALCO’s Schenectady Works in 1919.
During World War II, the Santa Fe needed additional heavy motive power to handle increased traffic. The railroad acquired several former Norfolk & Western Y3 locomotives in 1944 and placed them in its 1790 class.
N&W No. 2022 became Santa Fe No. 1791. Historical documentation records the locomotive at Santa Fe’s Argentine Yard in Kansas City shortly after its acquisition in October 1944.
Service on Raton Pass
The former N&W articulated locomotives were acquired in part to relieve a shortage of helper power on the demanding grades over Raton Pass.
Santa Fe modified the locomotives for its operating requirements and placed them into heavy service. Their articulated 2-8-8-2 arrangement provided substantial pulling power, although the locomotives had originally been designed for Norfolk & Western operating conditions rather than Santa Fe’s western territory.
What Does 2-8-8-2 Mean?
The 2-8-8-2 designation describes the locomotive’s wheel arrangement: two leading wheels, two sets of eight driving wheels and two trailing wheels.
The articulated design allowed the two groups of driving wheels to negotiate curves while providing sixteen powered driving wheels for heavy freight and helper service.
Identifying the Proto 2000 Model
The key identifiers for this version are:
- Proto 2000 Heritage Steam Collection
- Life-Like item No. 23336
- Santa Fe lettering
- Road number 1791
- 2-8-8-2 articulated wheel arrangement
Life-Like produced related Proto 2000 2-8-8-2 locomotives for other railroads and additional Santa Fe road numbers, so the road number and original product number are useful when identifying an individual model.
Life-Like, Proto 2000 and Walthers
This model originated with Life-Like’s Proto 2000 line. Walthers later acquired Life-Like’s model railroad business and continued developing and marketing Proto locomotives under the WalthersProto name.
Later WalthersProto releases included additional Santa Fe 2-8-8-2 locomotives with updated electronics and other features. Those later releases should not be confused with the original Life-Like Proto 2000 No. 23336 shown here.
Original Photos
The photographs below show the Life-Like Proto 2000 Heritage Santa Fe No. 1791 originally documented for TrainReference.
References and Further Reading
- Santa Fe Railway Historical & Modeling Society – ATSF Steam Locomotives
- Oklahoma Historical Society – Santa Fe No. 1791 Photograph, October 1944
Related Walthers and Proto References
- Proto 2000 E8 A & B Streamliner – HO Scale
- Proto 2000 Erie No. 830 E8/9 – HO Scale
- Proto 2000 New York Central E7 A&B – 20th Century Limited
- Browse Walthers and Proto model train references
Current Proto 2000 Santa Fe 2-8-8-2 Listings
Current eBay listings related to Proto 2000 Santa Fe articulated steam locomotives are shown below. When looking specifically for this model, check for road number 1791 and Life-Like item No. 23336.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase.
 Proto 2000 920-47688 HO Scale Santa Fe Powered A&B Diesel Locomotive Set #38C MT |  PROTO 2000 HO 30795 SANTA FE E8/9 DIESEL + BOX |
proto 2000 AT&SF SANTA FE powered engine HO scale
PROTO 2000 HO LOCOMOTIVE SANTA FE- -920-40101 No 628
Proto 2000 8049 HO Atchison Topeka Santa Fe Diesel Locomotive #2428 EX/Box
