It's History

What's Left of Santa Fe Railway's Forgotten Past? (8x295)

: 20, 2024

The Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway, commonly known as the Santa Fe Railway, was chartered in 1859 to serve the rapidly expanding western United States. Its initial goal was to link Atchison and Topeka in Kansas with Santa Fe, New Mexico, facilitating commerce and settlement. Under the leadership of Cyrus K. Holliday and later William Barstow Strong, the railway expanded significantly, becoming one of the largest rail networks in the country. It played a crucial role in the development of the American Southwest, promoting tourism with its iconic Super Chief passenger train and fostering economic growth through freight services. In 1995, the Santa Fe Railway merged with the Burlington Northern Railroad to form the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF), one of the largest freight railroads in North America.