I received this note tonight...some good news for a change.

TH



Yesterday, DEC 2, I traveled to Abilene to attend the 2nd public firing up of Santa Fe 3415, a modernized 4 - 6 - 2. The locomotive had been on display in Eisenhower Park in Abilene since being retired by the Santa Fe in the fifty's. The locomotive was fired up for the FRA to perform their inspection of the boiler and steam related appurtenances. The locomotive passed all serious inspections, the locomotive still has many deviations from current FRA rules for operating locomotives but they are not serious. Some of the deviations such as no working headlight, bell, safety glass windows and some safety appliances will start to be worked on immediately.

The current plan is to operate the locomotive at least once/month this coming tourist season..

It would be great to see it in mainline service on former Santa Fe lines and especially for special events sponsored by the BNSF

After the FRA left the locomotive was operated back and forth on a section of track about 1/2 mile long. It sure runs smooth and seeing those 79" Box Pok drivers turning ever so slowly at low speed it just beautiful. I took many photos and will be formatting for delivery by way of e-mail. in the next day or two. I wish I could have recorded the Santa Fe whistle as it sure sounded good.

If you are interested in receiving a photo or two let me know and I'll get them out hopefully tomorrow...

Douglas G. De Berg
Transportation Consultants, Inc.

Sound here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiH5BD6Ze0s