Just got confirmation that Santa Fe 2926 has a fire in her for the first time in 60 years. Congrats to the Albuquerque group for restoring the world's largest 4-8-4 to steam!

Another piece of news to celebrate! These people have done wonderfully.
Congratulations and thank you for the inspiration.

very cool! Congrats!!

2926 is a bit more modern and heavy than the 3751 right ?

it is more modern and heavier than 3751. Is there a place for her to run? I forgot what that is

Compare the rebuilt version of 3751 with either the 3776 or 2900 classes on a source like steamlocomotive.com to get an idea of the cardinal dimensions.

The 2900 class are heavier due to WPB materials restrictions, but as I recall many including this example are 'light' where it counts, in the roller rods and valve gear. Probably better for not having to have a fancy nickel-steel boiler to fail and be replaced, perhaps...

The 2900s are the largest and heaviest class of 4-8-4s ever built so if given the opportunity, she could prove to be quite a show stopper.

They have been hoping to run on the state-owned Santa Fe line from Albuquerque north through Las Vegas over Glorietta Pass. However, since Amtrak is the only operator on the line, that has complicated things in the near term with the recent shift in policy there.

Rob Gardner

Congratulations to all on the 2926 crew for their years of hard work. She's one beauty of a 4-8-4 and will be quite a sight out strutting her "stuff" soon let's hope.

This project is certainly a testimonial to persistence.

Ross Rowland

2926 is a project that's been going on so long, I think it surprised people to know they'd finally lit a fire. You can't help but smile at the idea that all that work has finally paid off.
Until I saw another photo elsewhere online, I had no idea the pistons weren't in place and the fire was raised just to test the boiler (I assume) and it won't be able to be moved anywhere yet. I'm sure there's a reason why they did that, but I'll be darned if I know what it is.
Like many other people, I wonder where this engine is going to run. Naturally, most fans immediately started wishing for a doubleheader with 3751, and I hope that comes to pass.

The NMDOT and Rio Metro Transit run New Mexico Rail Runner Express operates on this line north from Albuquerque and branches off to Santa Fe. It is possible that they may have rights they are not currently using on other portions of the line. Expansions of the Rail Runner further north have been discussed.

I believe that they do have rights to Raton but I don't know if they relinquished them.

You do this to blow out all the steam passages, with full boiler pressure, to knock out any scale, forgotten bolts, squirrel nests, missing volunteers, etc, that might be in the system. You would rather blow this stuff all over the tracks, instead of into your valves and pistons.

I believe there are some videos of when we did this on the 611 that first fireup day.

EDIT Found a video on Trains Mag site:
http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/20 ... systems-go

There's also a video of the same thing being done with 4501:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLYPk32mdnY

Of course, I can't forget, this is GREAT news, at a time when we could use it!!

Major kudos on this monumental milestone. Hope there's plenty of champagne and catnip to celebrate this occasion.

Yes congrats to the #2926 team for the milestone of fire up. Almost a new kind of checklist from here on in. An inspiring group effort. Kind of like making it over the continental divide, you may have a ways to go yet but your over the top. Not sure about FRA inspections but have no doubt the success will be there in the end. Regards, John.