Santa Fe 2926

This article includes a list of general references, but it remains largely unverified because it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (May 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

Santa Fe 2926
Santa Fe No. 2926 on display at Coronado Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Baldwin Locomotive Works Serial number 69814 Build date March 1944 Rebuild date 1999–July 2021
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-8-4 Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Leading dia. 40 in (1,016 mm) Driver dia. 80 in (2,032 mm) Trailing dia. 50 in (1,270 mm) Length 120 ft 10 in (36.83 m) Height 16 ft 0 in (4.88 m) Axle load 77,500 lb (35,200 kg) Adhesive weight 293,860 lb (133,290 kg) Loco weight 510,150 lb (231,400 kg) Tender weight 464,700 lb (210,800 kg) Total weight 974,850 lb (442,180 kg) Fuel type Oil Fuel capacity 7,000 US gal (26,000 l; 5,800 imp gal) Water cap. 24,500 US gal (93,000 l; 20,400 imp gal) Fuel consumption 6,000 US gal (23,000 l; 5,000 imp gal) of water an hour Firebox:  • Firegrate area 108 sq ft (10.0 m2) Boiler 102 in (2,591 mm) Boiler pressure 300 psi (2.1 MPa) Cylinders 2 Cylinder size 28 in × 32 in (711 mm × 813 mm)
Performance figures Maximum speed 120 mph (190 km/h) Power output 4,590 hp (3,420 kW) at 40 mph (64 km/h) Tractive effort 66,000 lbf (293.58 kN) Factor of adh. 4.45
Career Operators Santa Fe New Mexico Steam Locomotive and Railroad Historical Society Class 2900 Numbers ATSF 2926 Last run December 24, 1953 (revenue service) Retired July 1956 (revenue service) Restored July 24, 2021 Current owner New Mexico Steam Locomotive and Railroad Historical Society Disposition Operational, based in Albuquerque, New Mexico ATSF Locomotive No. 2926 U.S. National Register of Historic Places N.M. State Register of Cultural Properties Albuquerque Historic Landmark Show map of New MexicoShow map of the United StatesShow all Location 1600 Twelfth St. NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico Coordinates 35°6′11″N 106°39′15″W / 35.10306°N 106.65417°W / 35.10306; -106.65417Coordinates: 35°6′11″N 106°39′15″W / 35.10306°N 106.65417°W / 35.10306; -106.65417 Area less than one acre Built 1944 Architect Baldwin Locomotive Works NRHP reference No. 07000388[1] NMSRCP No. 366 Significant dates Added to NRHP October 1, 2007 Designated NMSRCP February 28, 1975[2]

Santa Fe 2926 is a former Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (ATSF) class 2900 4-8-4 type steam locomotive, built by Baldwin in 1944. It was used to pull passenger and fast freight trains, mostly throughout New Mexico, until its fire was dropped on Christmas Eve of 1953, and it was retired three years later. It was subsequently donated to a park in Albuquerque for static display. In 1999, it was purchased by the New Mexico Steam Locomotive and Railroad Historical Society to be rebuilt for operational purposes. After over twenty years of work, No. 2926 steamed up again on July 24, 2021, and it will be used for mainline excursion service.

History[]

Revenue service[]

No. 2926 was among the last group of steam passenger locomotives built in 1944 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Eddystone (Philadelphia), Pennsylvania for the Santa Fe Railway.^[3][4] This class of locomotives comprised the heaviest 4-8-4's built in the United States,^[5] and among the largest. The railroad used the locomotive in both fast freight and passenger service, and it accumulated over one million miles of usage before its last revenue run on December 24, 1953. Equipped with the latest Timken roller-bearing tandem side-rods between 1946-1948, it was then approved for 110-mph speeds with the Santa Fe's crack passenger trains: up from 100-mph when delivered with its original side-rods. The locomotive and a caboose were donated to the City of Albuquerque, New Mexico in July, 1956 in recognition of the city's 250th anniversary, and placed in Coronado Park.^[6][7]

Preservation[]

The city displayed the locomotive as a static exhibit in the park until it was sold to the New Mexico Steam Locomotive and Railroad Historical Society (NMSL & RHS) on July 26, 1999. On June 23, 2000, the locomotive was moved by Messer Construction Company to a BNSF Railway rail siding just south of Menaul Boulevard. Subsequently, in May, 2002, the locomotive was moved by the railroad to its current location near the intersection of 8th Street and Haines Avenue, where it is undergoing restoration to operating condition by the Society. When the restoration is completed, No. 2926 will be the largest operating 4-8-4 steam locomotive in the United States.

No. 2926 during the beginning of its restoration process in 2008.

On February 11, 2016, House Memorial Bill 100, introduced by Don L. Tripp and adopted by the New Mexico Legislature, recognized the Santa Fe No. 2926 steam locomotive as "New Mexico's steam locomotive and a representative of the railroads' contributions to the economic and cultural growth and stature of New Mexico".^[8]

In January, 2018, it was reported that the restoration was nearing completion and that the locomotive could potentially be operational by the end of the year. As of that date, NMSL&RHS members had put in 166,000 hours of volunteer labor and spent over $2.8 million on the project.^[9]

On August 20, 2018, the boiler of ATSF No. 2926 was fired-up for the first time in 65 years.^[10] The locomotive was scheduled for a test run on March 20, 2020, when it would move under its own power for the first time since 1953. However, that event and most other restoration efforts were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic in New Mexico.^[11]

On July 24, 2021 the locomotive moved under its own power for the first time in 68 years, with most of the volunteers gathering around to watch.^[12]

Historical significance[]

The locomotive has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since October 1, 2007.

References[]

External links[]

• New Mexico Steam Locomotive and Railroad Historical Society website
• National Register of Historic Places Weekly Update
• Facebook Page