2926: A RECAP AND STATUS REPORT

NMSL&RHS

March 2003

A year ago, 2926 was resting among rats, mice, wind blown trash and graffiti taggers alongside the BNSF mainline at Menaul Blvd. Today, it is located in a clean, secure area where restoration can go forward. Here is a recap of 2926 history, movements, activities and progress to date.

The Early Years
AT&SF Steam Locomotive 2926 is the youngest surviving member of Santa Fe's fleet of 4-8-4 locomotives that began with the purchase of Number 3751 in 1921. As a member of the 2900 class, it also has the distinction of being one of the largest of all the 4-8-4's. Built by Baldwin Locomotive Works, 2926 was delivered to Santa Fe at a cost of $252,335. It began service in 1944. Santa Fe used 2926 for both passenger and high- speed freight service. It was retired from duty in the early 1950s after logging just over a million miles. In 1956, shortly after its retirement from active service, this representative of Santa Fe's finest steam power was presented to the City of Albuquerque by Santa Fe Railway.

In November 1956, 2926 was put on display at Coronado Park. It was later placed in the historic register of both the City of Albuquerque and the State of New Mexico. It remained on the park, subject to the vagaries of weather and vandalism for 44 long years.

In the mid-1990's, noticing weathering and deterioration, a group of railfans began discussing ways to save the huge locomotive. From those discussions was born the New Mexico Steam Locomotive & Railroad Historical Society. After incorporation, the Society accelerated efforts to rescue 2926 from a rusty demise.

A New Century, A New Lease On Life
In 1999, those rescue efforts were rewarded. The Society acquired 2926 from the City.
The objective-to preserve this valuable piece of rail history by restoring it to original operating condition.

The first step in the process came in June 2000 when 2926 finally left Coronado Park. Urged along on panel track by Messer Construction Co., the huge locomotive was placed on a siding next to the BNSF mainline between 1-40 and Menaul Blvd.

The locomotive rested on the siding until May 2002 when two BNSF diesels moved it to its current site for restoration. During the trip south to gain access to Sawmill Spur, 2926 was on the mainline again for the first time in 46 years.

The new site is a siding made available to the Society by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). It is parallel to Sawmill Spur, between 8th and 12th Streets NW. Accessible from 8th St, the GSA portion of the siding is surrounded by concrete slab and is enclosed by a chain link fence topped with razor wire. It is a clean, safe, and secure location in which to pursue the restoration.

Restoration Site and Infrastructure
At the time the Society took possession of 2926, the old Santa Fe backshop on South Second Street was under consideration as a restoration site. However, impending restoration of the buildings at the backshops caused second thoughts. It would be very difficult to perform a restoration inside another ongoing restoration.

In January 2002, after walking and carefully studying all the sidings off the Sawmill Spur between the mainline and Old Town, the GSA site was chosen. Thanks to cooperation of several federal agencies and Congresswoman Heather Wilson, an agreement was reached and the site was secured.

Society members got down to work immediately, clearing brush and trash from the siding and along the Sawmill Spur. Once BNSF delivered 2926 safely to the site, members efforts shifted to acquiring and installing the necessary infrastructure.

A 12 X 16 foot portable office building was placed on site. It was followed by the purchase of two 40 foot long steel transport containers. One will serve as a machine shop. The other will be used for storage. Shelving has been installed in both. To equip the buildings, there have been many donations of office furniture, computers, tools, and supplies. Donated scaffolding was assembled and is ready to use.

Two large pieces of equipment are also on site. One critical need was filled with the donation of a forklift capable of handling loads up to a couple of tons. It was donated by Mr. Morey Liebling, owner of Sandia Trailer Sales Co. in Edgewood.

The second item, acquired through an agreement with the WHEELS Museum is a rail car shuttle. Equipped to run on pavement or rail, the shuttle can move up to 1300 tons, far more than the weight of 2926 and its tender.

Beginning The Restoration
The initial step in any serious restoration process is The Plan. In the case of 2926, a very detailed plan is being developed. Under the leadership of member Mike Roark, the planning effort began shortly after relocation to the current site. Using Microsoft Project Plan software, the plan will continue to evolve as restoration moves forward.

Near-Term Activity
There are three general categories of significant near term activity. First, we will continue assessing the condition of 2926 and feeding that information into the project plan. For instance, the structural condition of the boiler is critical to creating a cost estimate for the entire project. To do that we have to remove the boiler jacket, smokestack, sand dome turret, handrails, etc. to gain access to the asbestos lagging. We must then remove the asbestos. Once the asbestos is removed we can grind off the boiler and ultrasound it, and for the first time get an idea as to its basic condition.

Second, we will begin restoration of the tender as our first step. This tender-first approach is attractive because it is less complex. We can start immediately while still assessing the locomotive. It will not pressure our financial resources as much as the locomotive. And it will allow us to more quickly demonstrate our ability to meet restoration milestones. An active tender restoration, in turn, will support fundraising efforts.

This spring we have use of a crane. We will use it to remove the fuel bunker for cleaning. The tender will be lifted and placed on cribbing. The two 8-wheel trucks will be moved over to panel track and truck restoration will begin.

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory donated surplus railroad ties from its Very Large Array site near Socorro. Some were set into the siding to facilitate vehicle entry along the siding from 8th St. Others are being used to build panel track for use during the restoration process. The remainder are being cut into short pieces to be used for cribbing.

Third, is that always-important and ongoing activity-fundraising. Most of our fundraising to date has been minimal compared to what is necessary to complete this ambitious restoration project. Our fundraising committee is gearing up for a very active year, seeking funds through a variety of methods. Foremost will be a strong and concerted effort of proposal development to solicit major cash support. Meanwhile, we will continue to encourage organizations and individuals to contribute equipment, tools, materials, and services.