Just read Lloyd Stagner's book - I enjoy everything he writes. Does anyone know what the operational condition was of the Texas and Northern that were stored at Belen until 1982? In the 1981 photograph taken in the roundhouse, it looked like both were pretty much kept in pristine operational condition to that point from 1957. And did they stay indoors or outdoors at Albuquerque from 1982 until moved to the CRSM?

One thing I could point out is that both storage locations, whether inside or out, were DRY areas. The state mottoes of Arizona and New Mexico could be "But It's a DRY Heat...." Automobile collectors pay a premium for cars that have been stored in those states as opposed to coastal or wintry states; it barely matters whether it's inside or out. I imagine if you had a steamer stored in a roundhouse out there since 1957, as long as the building had been maintained and bird-proofed (you may commence hilarity and laughter now), the loco would probably still appear operable..........

I can also add that both were pulled outside the roundhouse once each month to keep the bearings lubricated. 2925 was also taken to Cleburne, TX in the mid-70's to be evaluated for an overhaul. They started to take her apart, and then stopped, and shipped her back to Belen.

Whether this was because of anything the shop forces found at cleburne, or headquarters in Chicago deciding that they did not want to start a steam program after all I do not know.

But both 5021 and 2925 could not have received better care than they did in Belen.

I'm given to understand the Santa Fe collection is ferociously deteriorated today, due to improper storage at Sacremento, and the activity of thieves and vandals. Is that correct? Anyone have images or can cite a url?

This is correct, lack of security around the storage area has resulted in many components being stolen from the locomotives.

Evan Werkema's page on #5021 has a picture. I understand plans have been made to move one or the other inside, but yes, they're in pretty sad shape now.

http://atsf.railfan.net/atsfpres/atsf5021.html

I have been told that both locomotives were moved around back and forth about once a month or so to prevent flat spotting of the bearings up to their move to Albuquerque.

I remember seeing them in the Belen roundhouse,and the shop guys took very good care of them. The switch crews didn't like them so much because it was even money they would put one or the other on the ground due to the trackwork changes at the end of steam. The 5021 was the offender the majority of the time,from what I was told. At the impressionable age of 12,I thought these were the biggest locomotive on Earth!