Restored locomotive – Santa Fe 2926 – set to make live steam appearance on May 6

News or chat about railroad info that pertains to the entire United States, another state, or country.
GP30M4216
Saver of all History
Posts: 4801
Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2004 10:35 pm
Location: Feel the Zeel, MI
Contact:

Restored locomotive – Santa Fe 2926 – set to make live steam appearance on May 6

Unread post by GP30M4216 »

If this were a thousand miles closer, it would be the kind of brewery/locomotive tour I would definitely sign up for! :lol:

https://www.abqjournal.com/2594552/rest ... -publ.html

Restored locomotive – Santa Fe 2926 – set to make a public appearance on May 6

By Ollie Reed Jr. / Albuquerque Journal Staff Writer
Published: Sunday, April 30th, 2023

Image
Engine 2926, a 1944 Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway steam locomotive, basks in restored glory at its home yard on Eighth Street. The locomotive will make way under its own power Saturday, May 6, to a public appearance at Tractor Brewing Wells Park. (Courtesy of NMSL&RHS)

For the first time in decades Santa Fe steam locomotive 2926 is going places, making tracks on Saturday, May 6, from its home yard on Eighth Street NW to a public appearance at a brew pub a half mile away.

There was a time when Santa Fe 2926 burned up the tracks from the Midwest to the West Coast, hauling freight and passengers from Kansas City through Albuquerque on to Los Angeles and San Diego.

But that was a long time ago, between 1944 and 1953. From 1956 until 1999, it stood silent and stagnant in Albuquerque’s Coronado Park, a sad remnant of its powerful former self, used by the homeless population as a shelter and for other purposes.

In 1999, the New Mexico Steam Locomotive & Railroad Historical Society rescued the steam engine, buying it from the city of Albuquerque for $1 and hauling it out of the park.

In all those years, 2926 has moved under its own power only a matter of yards on the tracks at the society’s headquarters at 1833 Eighth St. NW.

But starting at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 6, Santa Fe 2926, bright and shiny and full of puff and smoke, will muscle its way to Tractor Brewing Company Wells Park, 1800 Fourth St. NW.

“This event will undoubtedly bring back memories for those who remember the 2926 being in Coronado Park,” said John Roberts, president of New Mexico Heritage Rail. “Countless volunteers are dedicating their passion for railroading to bring this magnificent machine back to its former glory. This event will be a time to celebrate their accomplishments.”

It will also be a chance for the public to get a close look at 2926, which stands 18 feet tall and weighs 510,150 pounds.

Image
Engine 2926 during her fast and free years in the 1940s. (Courtesy of NMSL&RHS)

During the visit to Tractor Brewing, money will be raised for the continued restoration and operation of 2926 through donations, guided tours and the sale of souvenirs. The locomotive will start back to its home yard at 4 p.m.

According to NMSL&RHS, the organization is working with the city of Albuquerque and state officials to restore the railroad turntable at the Albuquerque Rail Yards, which would make it possible for 2926 to be displayed there for community events. A turntable is used to turn locomotives around, so they can go back the way they came.

Since 2002, members of the society, also known as New Mexico Heritage Rail, have put tens of thousands of man hours and hundreds of thousands of dollars – accumulated from society dues, fundraising drives and donations – into refurbishing the old Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway engine.

Visit https://2926.us/ for more information.

User avatar
David Collins
Youtube Railfan Guru
Posts: 2759
Joined: Fri Sep 25, 2020 10:46 am
Location: Bloomfield Hills, Mi
Contact:

Re: Restored locomotive – Santa Fe 2926 – set to make live steam appearance on May 6

Unread post by David Collins »

This is so cool, I've heard that the guys at SBRHS (who own 3751) and NMSLRHS (who owns 2926) are already talking about double heading since 2926 has PTC already built in. BNSF has told them as long the engines have PTC, they have their blessing.
Ferris State University’s Train Guy

Youtube: Michigan Railfan Films

Flickr: David R. Collins

SC: daveeed1k

User avatar
NS3322
Railroadfan...fan
Posts: 1255
Joined: Sun Nov 08, 2015 12:08 pm
Location: CP-LEVITT

Re: Restored locomotive – Santa Fe 2926 – set to make live steam appearance on May 6

Unread post by NS3322 »

The locomotive might not operate much on the BNSF system (remember the Transcon is the nation's busiest freight main line), but it is very likely it will be operating mostly from Albuquerque to either Santa Fe, Lamy, or Belen on the NMDOT owned lines (see blue lines on attached map). These lines only host the New Mexico Rail Runner Express, Amtrak Southwest Chief, and a few local BNSF trains. Past Lamy the line is still owned by BNSF, but only hosts the Southwest Chief.
nmdot.JPG
I could also see 2926 potentially running to Trinidad, CO on the currently Amtrak only BNSF Raton Sub.

I have visited the NMSLRHS twice over the last decade, and it has been exciting to see the progress the group has made!

Post Reply