---

The Flagstaff Incident:  Countdown

Unfortunately, teething problems began occurring during the Stage 3 testing.  These issues resulted in the most serious breach of the tight security for the whole project, the 'Flagstaff Incident', which occurred on April 1, 1955.

Santa Fe 3150  was on a Stage 3 test run number 13, eastbound, racing over the crest of the Arizona Divide aiming yet again for the Winslow home base 'black ops' enginehouse before dawn.  With US Department of Commerce military infrared imaging, we are able to see what occurred.



Santa Fe 3150 was hitting 80 MPH, racing like the wind eastbound, uphill past Kendrick towards the Arizona Divide at Riordan.







As the Super Trainmaster roars past the signal bridge at Coconino, an alarm bell goes off......  and smoke appears coming out of  the insulation and brushes of the #2 traction motor.

---

The Flagstaff Incident:  President Gurley

Unbeknownst to all concerned, at that very moment, Santa Fe President Gurley and his inspection train  had arrived at West Riordan on an unannounced inspection tour of the Third District of the Albuquerque Division. At that early morning hour, Mr. Gurley was waiting on the balcony of his presidential car to see a glimpse of his prized Black Ops 'Project 3150':

 

As the Super Bee test train came into view, to Mr. Gurley's chagrin, the Super Trainmaster was slowing rather than racing......



The insulation fire on the #2 traction motor had caused a flashover on the main generator,  and the Trainmaster was behaving much more like an Alco at that moment, right in front of  ATSF President Fred Gurley's eyes:



It was not the best of times for Fairbanks Morse.

---

Reconnaissance at Riordan




Special Assistant  V.G. (Norm) Viner had no choice except to move the smoking Super Trainmaster  onto the RIP track in the West Riordan enginehouse for an emergency inspection.





FM Black Ops engineer J.M. Singer examined the smoking #2 traction motor.  The aghast graveyard shift mechanics look on, dumbfounded, at the sight of an engine they know for sure doesn't exist.


The West Riordan roundhouse team, of course, were unable to effect repairs on a 'black project' engine.    The decision was made to cut out of operation the #2 traction motor, reset the main generator, and  continue on the remaining five traction motors over the Arizona Divide on through Flagstaff and back to Winslow.




With smoke still wisping in the air, and sunrise now upon them, the Super Trainmaster left Riordan, hoping to make it home to Winslow with a bare minimum of exposure.... but daylight is not kind. A very late Grand Canyon streamliner whistles by.......  with the passenger F's engine crew gawking at the sight of the mystery engine.

So now, the race to evade detection was on.   Onward to Flagstaff!

---