ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — On May 6, 2023, Santa Fe No. 2926 made the first movement under steam since restoration from its current site with a 1-mile round trip to Tractor Brewing Wells Park [See “News photos: Santa Fe 2926 takes a short trip,” Trains News Wire, May 8, 2023]. Celebrating the anniversary of that event led to a repeat trip this year on May 4. This launched the 4-8-4’s 2024 schedule after a recent completion of the annual inspection by the Federal Railroad Administration, in addition to checking off the off-season punch list.
Headlining the work over the winter was replacing the burner, according to Mathew Casford, chief of rail operations for New Mexico Steam Locomotive & Railroad Historical Society (which operates as New Mexico Heritage Rail), owner of the locomotive. “The original one had been pretty well damaged when [No. 2926] was living in the [Coronado] park and on display for the city,” he says. “We were able to work out a deal with the Pueblo Railway Museum and get the burner out of sister No. 2912.
“It’s now in the firebox of No. 2926 and works better.”
The Pueblo group has been active in a number of parts exchanges involving Santa Fe No. 2912, a display engine, and other locomotives being restored to operation [See “Extension of parts swap helps land water pump …,” News Wire, Nov. 15, 2023].
The replacement burner roared to life as No. 2926 made its operating debut last Saturday. Titled “Escape The Gate,” the anniversary celebration saw the monstrous 4-8-4 traverse the Sawmill Spur from its current home to the nearby brewery. The 11 a.m.-4 p.m. appearance coincided with a fundraiser for the continual maintenance and operating efforts by New Mexico Heritage Rail. Casford said the locomotive’s first outing of the year went well: “All of the punch-list items we had from our last event have been taken care of, and now we have an entirely new list.”
It’s a list he feels confident will be fully checked off by the time of the next event, a June 26-27 return to Albuquerque’s downtown Rail Yards as part of the Santa Fe Railway Historical & Modeling Society’s annual convention. The private appearance by No. 2926 will once again include a short ferry move along the former ATSF transcontinental main line.
Brief as they are in the interim, these operational opportunities are possible thanks to the relationships with the New Mexico Department of Transportation and Rail Runner Express commuter system while NMHR continues work on full positive train control compliance for longer outings with the locomotive. “Currently, we have everything set up so we can do multiple events down at the Rail Yards,” Casford said.
Visit the New Mexico Heritage Rail website for more information.
Yes, you re most correct small steps first, yet it does not hurt to dream big too, and I like your idea of a Big Boy as well, however let’s add the SP Daylight to make this homerun!
How about one step at a time the trip to the Railyard, a trip to Lamy or Santa Fe, a trip to Raton. Sullivan’s Curve is a long trip and Cajon Pass is busy place. If you really want to dream think 4014 on the UP main at the same time.
I hope that in the near future all the powers that be could arrange a doubleheader with 3751 any place would be fine but what about Sullivan’s Curve…………….