ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The final operations of the 2024 season for Santa Fe No. 2926 can be described as a photo finish. The 1944-built 4-8-4 was chartered by Pete Lerro for a private photo shoot on Oct. 28-29.
Originally planned to be entirely at the Rail Yards complex in Downtown Albuquerque for both days, a surprise came in the evenings when the stage was reset at the platform of the Alvarado Transportation Center. Nighttime static shots and photo runbys were performed along the ex-ATSF Transcontinental main line with both No. 2926 and the tool car.
“The photo shoot on the platform was a last-minute thing,” said Mathew Casford, chief of rail operations for New Mexico Heritage Rail (NMHR), which owns the locomotive. “I was just trying to come up with a different idea.
“So I gave Rail Runner a call to see if we could even do it, and they were more than enthusiastic.”
To the point where the media team for the commuter rail system was on hand to take pictures for marketing and public relations opportunities. That became an all-around home run for Casford.
“For this entire year and half of last year, my goal is to build relationships and establish the working history so that New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT), Rio Metro (Rail Runner), BNSF Railway, and Amtrak are all comfortable with us,” he stated. “So far, every indication I have is that everything is going in the right direction.”
Overall, Casford confirms that No. 2926 performed as planned without any major problems. With 2024 operations now concluded, off-season work will begin in preparation for the new year.
For No. 2926, all the items on the running punch list that weren’t addressed yet will be. “On top of that, we have to get ready for the annual inspection,” Casford added. “And this is our fifth year, so there is a little bit more in-depth than the regular annual inspection.”
For the Rail Yards complex, $475,000 was recently awarded to NMHR from the state in capital outlay funds to refurbish the turntable. “We’re currently working within the departments of the city to get the money released and the contract awarded.”
For Casford: “I’m going to continue to work with Rail Runner and NMDOT, and try to work out a deal to get us a larger operating scope within and around Albuquerque so that we can have a greater community engagement and give us the opportunity to do more public relation events at any number of the local Rail Runner stations around Albuquerque.
“I think the 2024 operating season was a great success and it really comes down to the dedicated volunteers. From restoration to operations, without the dedicated team of NMHR volunteers, No. 2926 goes nowhere.”
Visit the New Mexico Heritage Rail website for updates and announcements.
