An unusually blowy, bitter day, in Albuquerque, was not enough to stop about a dozen men from showing up and moving forward with this huge Northern. Unlike many groups, with 100 members and 3 who do everything, this group generally brings 25 or more volunteers to the site each weekend.
Today, the men were awaiting word from Timken regarding the health of the roller bearings which had been sent in for examination. Santa Fe 2926 is an all r/b, oil fired locomotive (hear that, Ross Rowland?), last steam engine to receive heavy repairs prior to retirement, and was found to be in beautiful mechanical condition when pulled for the park. With that good luck under their belts, the volunteers went to work and started a new rebuild. Just about everything was perfect when they opened her. A projected running date is may be as early as 2014.

Some other other observations regarding this group, and something others might want to think about when soliciting support, grants, or private underwriting: One of her cross compound pumps is ready to run, so it gets trucked to fairs, displays, and public events, powered on air, so it sounds like a live locomotive. See? they're already getting it into running shape! Another thing is advertising. When I crossed into New Mexico, I found a duel sided , glossy, brochure at the state "Welcome Center", inviting visitors to come to the site and see the restoration in progress. Third, and I have to say, I'm a sucker for animals, the group has become sponsors of a huge clan of feral cats who live around the worksite, keep the mice and rats in check, and just sun themselves when the workers are on site. In return, the cats are fed, spayed and neutered, and set free once again in the compound. This gets attention from local animal lovers as well. Good Karma seems to have followed this operation.
Pictures:







The tender is completed to Amtrak standards, ready to roll.

The brochure may seem like an excess, but let me say, when I asked the "Welcome Center" in Santa Fe, N.M., if there was a locomotive displayed in the city, they shrugged and told me, "No, those trains have been gone for years". And thus, I missed the 2-10-4 displayed in the park in the center of the city! Anybody have a current report on that loco?

The running air compressor is a great idea. One thing I haven't seen done is bi-lingual advertisements or literature, which I'm sure would make a large population feel welcome, especially in the Southwest.

I must come out there next spring..can't stay long, but I'll be happy to to turn a wrench on something....

I'm very impressed with this restoration and this group! When I saw the cold hulk of #2926 in the city park in Albuquerque in 1997, it looked like just another rusty park loco slowly returning to the elements. I never imagined it would ever be restored, or even that it was in such good shape to merit a restoration. Way to go!

Richard, these are TERRIFIC postings -thank you!! GREAT job to all involved in the 2926 project!!

Stephen

I stopped by a couple of weeks ago.

It was a Sunday so the facility was closed. (The crew works Wednesdays and Saturdays which I knew but Sunday happened to be the day I was in town on other business)

However, it was possible to see through the fence the site organization so well depicted above, progress and the Cats!

Also to be recommended is the almost daily posting of images showing the restoration on Facebook.

What is not clear to me is where it is expected to run. Yes I realize there is a 79 mph BNSF main line outside the gate. But is operating out there a reality? Or is it more likely to run to Santa Fe on what appears to be a state owned or leased? commuter line?

TH

Good question. Actually, BNSF underwrites a portion of the budget annually, in the form of a public support grant. This does not imply BNSF is hot to run the 2926, just that it recognizes the value of public stewardship. I have been told about he state owned trackage as a possibly run. Group members intend to keep the locomotive in serviceable shape and offer it to operators and qualified tour groups. There is a strong hope that BNSF will willingly come onboard, which really, doesn't seem too unreasonable.
Time will tell.

With regard to my signature, it reflects my opinion, whether involving railroad restoration or going to the moon. There is never a reason to give up, throw in the towel, or say "It can't be done and never will happen".

Interesting syphons!

When it is said that Timken is examining the bearings, have the drivers been dropped and bearings removed? Can that even be done while the wheels still pressed on? And of course what would it be sitting on now? I presume any other roller bearings pale in comparison to the driving boxes. Unless they are looking at photos or something.

Steve

They don't have access to a drop pit, but it is believe the r/b's in the drivers are in good shape. Somebody from the group can answer better than I .

The rods are down; perhaps it is roller rod bearings that are being examined?

The little exposure I've had to roller bearing driver axles would suggest it wouldn't be easy if at all possible to examine them in place, but there are guys with better experience than me to say for sure. I was told many years ago by somebody with a LOT of experience that dumping the old oil, running it back a forth a bit with kerosene or diesel in the bearings, then again changing out to clean correct lube oil and running it around the yard for a half mile would show up any roller bearing problem on the driver axles.

I'm betting there may be some ultrasonic or other vibration testing instruments that could detect problems from the outside with the wheels turning in place.

dave

I should amend my comment: Not syphons but Security Circulators I believe.

Steve

Those are indeed the rod bearings that have been sent to Timken. If you check out the group's website, they have been working steadily all year long fabricating unique bearing pulling devices to get stubborn seized bearings safely removed from the rod ends and then packaged and sent off to Timken for inspection. The drivers have not been dropped. While they have built their own inspection pit, I do not believe it is equipped with a lift to lower a wheel set yet. It does have removable rails so I would not be surprised if they eventually have the capability to drop a set of drivers if need be.

This is a special group that really has it together and making real progress. Can't wait to see her storming up Raton and Glorietta Passes in the very near future!

Firebox patches are coming along nicely and it looks like tubes and flues are being prepared for installation.

Rob Gardner, Big NMSLRHS and 2926 Fan!

Virtually every person on this site has a favorite locomotive. The locomotive that if the Lotto ever came your way, you could "ante up" in a big way and get your baby some new life.

But I think that many of us would admit that a 2900 class Santa Fe is the '57 Chevy/Mustang Boss/Cadillac/Mercedes/BMW of steam - at least of the 4-8-4 clan - "awesome" as my kids would say.

To see one revived would be great.

Thanks for the updates. Wish I were closer to help.

This group also received an NRHS grant this year; donations to NRHS for this and other programs may be made on line at:

http://nrhs.com/donate.htm

Bob H