Good documentation of restoration work on Santa Fe 4-8-4 2921 in Modesto, California. Involves bearing and other work after inundation by flood waters. This was a late-1990s project. Any updates?

http://www.barstowrailmuseum.org/2921_1.html

Not sure if this project was meant to restore to operation but:

Could it be that they realized that such a big engine involves the kind of roadbed that only a Class 1 or big regional can provide and that such an opportunity won't present itself in these days, with other big engines such as the SSW 819, RDG 2100 and SLSF 1522 now cold for lack of a place to run?

In all fairness, it was not for a lack of a place to run that 1522 was sidelined..... It came time for a 1472 day inspection and the group decided it was just to much to try and continue on, among other things.

Ltes face it, the 1522 was "retired" for several reasons.
Cost of insurance, cost of the work required by the FRA and the evident reluctantce by the railroads to having steam operate on their lines. I had worked in the operating dept. of a railroad and could tell that when we were on the line, we were in the way.
The 1522 web-site pretty well tells the whole story.
Incidently, the 1522 can't be called a "big" engine compared to the 844 or a Santa Fe northern.

Sadly it would take a fair chunk of money just to raise the 2921 back up to grade from the hole it is in now. As usual a temporary track was run into the park and later removed and now there are permanent obstructions in the way of the original alignment. A couple of 100 ton hydro-cranes may do the trick.

Can I assume that 2926 is the only engine that has a reasonable chance of operating again? They seem to be a focussed, organized group who have a systematic plan for restoration. I believe the group restoring 2912 has decided against a full restoration, opting for a cosmetic one instead, but I can't find their website anymore. Sadly 2925 which was probably in the best shape of all Santa fe steamers was donated to CSRM where it was left outside to rot and be vandalized. What I can't understand is why Santa Fe would donate their prized collection, protected from the elements for 30 years at Belen and later Albuquerque before knowing that it could be properly housed and maintained. CSRM should have arranged indoor storage until such time as they could be properly displayed, and should have told Santa Fe to pony up some money to finish buildings to house them. Am I wrong?

Is this the same park that Lacey Peterson disappeared from?