Santa Fe 2926 gets approval to run on track outside Albuquerque for first time in decades

People drive for miles to catch “raily” cool locomotive legends, such as Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014. They cheer and hug their loved ones as they listen to the click-clack of wheels on the tracks and watch plumes of steam blow into the air.

People in Albuquerque experienced that magical moment in 2021 when the 1944 Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe 2926 steam locomotive ran on its own power for the first time in over half a century.

Those in neighboring communities, however, have not had that opportunity to see the 2926. But that will change.

The New Mexico Department of Transportation, New Mexico Rail Runner and New Mexico Heritage Rail have agreed to allow the ATSF 2926 to expand the amount of main line track it can run from about 3 miles to about 20 miles on either side of Albuquerque, between Bernalillo and Los Lunas, New Mexico Heritage Rail announced in a June 15 news release.

“This is huge,” said Mathew Casford, New Mexico Heritage Rail vice president and chief of rail operations. “This is the culmination of a dream that guys who were involved with this locomotive had way before I was involved.”

The expanded access applies to non-revenue deadhead moves — no freight or passengers — enabling the 2926 and its support equipment to travel for staging, maintenance and community outreach, the release stated.

“This is exciting, really exciting,” said John Taylor, Steam Locomotive & Railroad Society at-large board member. Taylor was one of dozens and dozens of people who helped restore the 2926.

It is unclear, however, when people in Los Lunas or Bernalillo will be able to see the Santa Fe icon.

“It could be within a year or two, if the stars align,” Taylor said. “But there (are) a lot of stars.”

‘See what steam power is’

The Santa Fe 2926 was built in 1944, and it was one of the last Class 2900 4-8-4 steam locomotives built by Baldwin Locomotive Works.

“They were the engines for the war effort,” Taylor said. “They were the engines for bringing freight. They were the engines for tourism, and they really turned New Mexico, essentially, into the state that she is today.”

After traveling a million miles, the locomotive was retired in Belen in 1955. A year later, it was donated to the city of Albuquerque, which put it in Coronado Park as part of the city’s 250th anniversary celebration, he said.

The Santa Fe 2926 sat in the park until 2000 when the Steam Locomotive & Railroad Society — doing business as New Mexico Heritage Rail — bought it for $1 and moved it to its current location, on 1833 Eighth NW, the restoration site for the 2926.

Members of the society have put thousands of man-hours and dollars into refurbishing the locomotive.

“It was rusty, covered with asbestos,” Taylor said. “We stripped it down. We cleaned it up. We repaired everything, and we made it go, and we did it with volunteers.”

After two decades of restoration efforts, the Santa Fe 2926 ran under its own power for the first time on July 24, 2021. In the past few years, the locomotive appeared at Tractor Brewing Company, Wells Park and the Rail Yards. But now, the Santa Fe 2926 will be able to go as far as Los Lunas.

“To let the people see what steam power is and what it represents is a really important thing,” Taylor said.

New Mexico Heritage Rail is developing operating schedules in coordination with New Mexico Rail Runner to ensure a “seamless integration with existing freight and passenger services,” according to a news release.

“These practice runs will allow the organization to test equipment, train crews, and demonstrate consistent, safe operations — essential steps before any public trips can be offered,” the release stated.

“This is going to be a persistent, slow process,” Casford said.

In the meantime, people can see the 2926 at the restoration site from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays or during New Mexico Railroad Days the last weekend of September.

“This isn’t just a locomotive,” Casford said, “it’s a rolling classroom and a tribute to the people and industry that helped shape New Mexico.”