A real highlight of my "excellent adventure" has been meeting the people restoring 4-8-4, 2926, of the Santa Fe, in Albuquerque, N.M. The big 4-8-4 has been full of surprises in her rebuild. Her preservationists expected the usual trials of rust and wear, but discovered what could only be described as a "Christmas package" instead. Totally roller bearing equipped, the locomotive is coming back to life in a secured siding in the city. Her boiler is remarkably thick, the corrosion is minimal. The steel is smooth, and gray, even after being outdoors since 1953! A portion of her firebox steel is being replaced, but otherwise, most of the staybolt caps are perfect. The group is able to move her back and forth using a trackmobile. The group has restored her two steam pumps and operate them on air, during public displays. Visitors comment on the wonderful sound of the "breathing" action, which we have long recognized as part of the charm of steam. What might be the biggest surprise came when the cylinders were opened and found to be glassy smooth, without the slightest imperfections, and still bearing a light oil coating.
Apparently, this loco was given a full shopping in 1953, run only 50,000 miles, and retired. She was moved to her original park site under compressed air. Between those factors and the dry climate, 2926 was destined to be reclaimed for high speed operation in a new era.
I purchased a cap as a nod towards making a donation. An estimate of firing the locomotive was made at, perhaps, 5 years, but maybe....sooner. The tender is finished, and rides on two four-axle, Buckeye trucks. It is huge! The group has a good idea of where she can be run on former AT&SF rail, and will make her available to interested operators. I asked about the "Greenbriar Express" project, and the response was, "They should give us a call!"

I took the following images this afternoon.

Great looking boiler exterior!

Thank you for this progress report. Looks great.

Jim Barton

#2926 is the engine #2925 in Sacramento dreams about being... someday.

Richard,

It was a pleasure to meet you yesterday. Thank you very much for the kind words. We are absolutely pleased with the condition of the locomotive and the progress of the restoration.

I hve been watching the rebuild of this locomotive for several years. The New Mexico Steam Locomotive and Railroad Historical Society, NMSL&RHS, has a very good website which is kept up weekly with status reports and numerous photographs. The link is at
http://www.nmslrhs.org/index.php.

Is it far too early or presumptuous of me to think that if/when this engine gets running, they may be able to run on either 1) the New Mexico Rail Runner commuter service/lines, or 2) the New Mexico-owned (or soon-to-be-owned) line to Raton Pass and Trinidad?

Now, can we find something for it to pull besides white and red double-deckers? Maybe Grand Canyon has a few Harrimans to spare?

Xanterra letting other people use their equipment? I'm not seeing that happening any time real soon. Besides that, from what I understand, those cars are not up to interchange standards. Only a few of them have roller bearings, if I recall correctly.

While the canyon cars would be a very good fit for the engine...there are issues with the roller bearings. All GCR equipment(including locomotives) that has had roller replacement or retrofit is equipped with factory "reconditioned" roller bearings...they are only 2/3 the cost you know(about $200 cheaper). They come with a sticker that says "top", "industrial use only", they cannot be interchanged even if they were willing to lease or rent them out.
In fairness, these bearings are perfectly acceptable for captive service.

I inquired about rolling stock. There is one ex-Rock Island stainless car on the property, r/b equipped. We'd all love to see her hauling heavyweights, but that's not gonna happen. I was told that a source of passenger cars was known, but given the nature of reviving the locomotive, I will defer further commentary and allow those "in the know" to speak when the administrators give the nod. Suffice to say, if you make a contribution or write directly to the group rebuilding her, you will likely get more information.
BTW, there are some nice items for sale, supporting this effort. Go online and check 'em out. I particularly like the black Santa Fe logo hat, with the number and lettering.

Oh, a great little side bar: The secured yard is inhabited by a number of beautiful, feral cats. Whether the cats like steam locomotives is unknown, but the restorers put out tins of food for the felines, under the tender and the Rock Island car. The cats sunbathe while the heavy work goes on, adding a gentle, warm, and very human element to what these folks are doing. It's really a nice little symbiotic relationship.

Nuts... why is it that everything interesting at the worksite happens on my drill weekends?? Oh, well, at least the weather was decent...

Richard,

I'm glad you enjoyed your visit. I'd have been there myself with Clem and the rest of the volunteers, but that was my Navy Reserve drill weekend, and that's one engagement that I try not to miss.

As Richard points out, the overall condition of the locomotive and tender is nothing short of amazing. Transients and "collectors" have done some damage and taken items like gauges and valve handles during the period when 2926 was on display in Coronado Park, and being "watered" by the park sprinkler system led to some corrosion on the firebox portion of the boiler, but all of that has been or will be repaired or replaced as needed, and the rest of the locomotive is very good condition. All of the major appliances are in good shape as well; in addition to the air compressors, the dynamo is also functional (although it may need a bit more work before it goes back in place) and we're currently working on the Worthington feedwater heater pump, which will be finished shortly. And, of course, there are dozens of other tasks which are being completed to bring the old gal back to life...