santa fe 3751

Mike Swanson · **Posted:** Sun Jun 05, 2011 3:11 pm

Alexander D. Mitchell IV wrote:

The ONLY reasons to entertain a relocation of 3751 would be:

*Hostile preservation environment, i.e. nobody wants it there, no one wants to ride, it, etc. (That's not the case in Southern California/3751);

*No opportunity to operate it where it is (demonstrably false);

*Better/more lucrative "business"/operating opportunities elsewhere, i.e. a ten-year lease to the Grand Canyon, Strasburg, Napa Valley Wine Train, or whoever (ain't gonna happen).

If somebody is truly desperate to see big Santa Fe steam elsewhere, they can throw support behind the 2926 guys in New Mexico; after all, they theoretically could have easy access to the state-owned Raton Pass line, maintained for Amtrak and little else as far as BNSF is concerned, AND they have a local commuter operation with which to partner for equipment, insurance, trackage rights, etc.

Right now it's more likely we'll be operating on the Belen-Lamy segment that the State of New Mexico does intend to keep (for now, anyway); Governor Martinez isn't too interested in keeping a line that has no freight traffic at the moment and only Amtrak operating any trains at all, much less footing the bill for maintenance and upgrading the line for PTC.

Getting back to 3751, a rather blunt and not too-polite summary of their current situation would be "they've got it as good as they're gonna get for now and they'd be stupid to leave". While visits to Albuquerque and the Mid west aren't out of the question (contrary to what some folks may think), there's no reason for and no chance of SBRHS moving east (or anywhere else, for that matter) anytime soon. Give it a rest, folks, 'cause it ain't happenin'.

Frisco1522 · **Posted:** Sun Jun 05, 2011 3:19 pm

We restored 1522 outdoors mostly, with a roof over our head towards the mid point, but still no walls. It got done. Would a shop have been better? Of course, but you have to play the hand you are dealt.
There were a couple of attempts to lease the engine out to faraway locations under someone else's control. To the people who have been involved from the beginning, this is not acceptable. The last offer was at the time that we retired her and would have been considered but it fell through. Right now, it's probably good that it did because things have changed in the 9 years since we retired her.
Those of us who were heavily involved always considered going out on the main line the "Redeeming Factor" for all the blood, sweat and sometimes tears we put in. I'm convinced that I lived a dream for some 14 years of being at the throttle along with the two other engineers and our three firemen. We were paid back big time, and I often wondered what inspired the guys who knew they would never do that but soldiered on like the troupers that they were. We had a terrific, well trained and professional acting group and we came along at just the right time.
I think of it like I think of my 3 years in the Army. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
The 3751 group seem to be a content bunch with their lot out there and I wish them nothing but the best. Like others, I would like to see it out more, and wish I were close enough to participate. I'd like to see the 700 out more, and wish there was a bright path ahead for the 819. Seeing the 2926 run would be super.
Things aren't going to get any easier to operate in the future, with insurance costs, super busy mainlines and possibly some added regs down the line.
Support the folks who are busting their butts keeping these things running and help them when you can. Nothing lasts forever.