Santa Fe 2926: First Steps in 70 Years!
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- Опубліковано 6 тра 2023
- Hey Guys, It’s big Diehl again, and today, we’re heading down the streets, well down the tracks here in Albuquerque to the Sawmill Spur, where we caught Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe number 2926 (on UA-cam here @atsf2926 ) as it went on its first journey outside of the compound where she’s been worked on for the last twenty years here in Albuquerque.
Built in 1944 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, this 4-8-4 Northern type was used across the Santa Fe System and is now the largest operating northern type locomotive in existence being nearly 65,000 pounds heavier than the Union Pacific "Living Legend" the # 844.
Officially capable of speeds at 110 miles an hour, the locomotive was built with Timken side rods and wheel bearings and would be found pulling some of Santa Fe’s most prestigious trains such as the Super Chief (the forerunner of today's Amtrak 'Southwest Chief' and Southwest Limited) the El Capitan, Chief, Fast Mail, Grand Canyon, California Limited, etc... In 1953, she was retired then later donated to the City of Albuquerque in 1956 for the city’s Semiquincentennial celebration and put on display in the City’s Coronado Park only a couple of blocks away from where the event in 2023 occurred.
By the late 1990s the condition of the locomotive became worse and was needed to be moved from the park, and in 1999, the locomotive was sold to the New Mexico Steam Locomotive and Railroad Historical Society and moved in 2002 to the current restoration facility.
She was fired up for the first time in August of 2018, but due to the pandemic and related delays, the locomotive did not move under her own power until July 2021. Nearly two years later, the locomotive finally ‘escaped the cage’ and went down the Sawmill Spur to Tractor Brewing.
Just after four pm, the locomotive left its display on 4th Street and headed back to the barn to be put away for the next time. We'll go trackside in the Sawmill district of Albuquerque ( or 'Burque' as some call it) and catch this massive Northern hot and under steam. We then catch it moving along the Sawmill Branch as it heads home for the night. The locomotive may soon take to the rails in the distant future running on the main rails like locomotives such as Santa Fe 3751, Southern Pacific 4449, Spokane Portland and Seattle 700, Union Pacific Big Boy 4014, Milwaukee Road 261, Soo Line 1003, Nickel Plate Road 765 and Norfolk & Western 611. Will the locomotive take to the rails of Glorieta and Raton passes? Or will it head out on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe’s Transcon and join up with thenGrand Canyon Railway near Flagstaff and be caught on the virtual railfan camera?
Thanks for the coverage for those of us who are trapped east!
No need for musical accompaniment. The sound of the steam locomotive is the only "music" we need.
Which is why the drone footage is dubbed over with the video being recorded simultaneously
Very true
Ever heard the raw audio from a drone?
@@lawnmowerdude You don't use the audio from the drone.
It's a mystery to me why content creators feel the need to add crap music to videos. Let the engine speak for itself.
I'm beyond thrilled to see this magnificent beauty hitting the rails! I hope it has a long, long career and sees a huge amount of mainline service! I can't wait to ride behind her!!
It needs to get back to work I see Freight to move!! 70 years of Laying around letting Birds Perch on her.... Lazy.
@@CDWCAULDRON Lol! It would actually be terrific to see 2926 moving revenue freight as she was meant to!
@@louislamonte334 I know right A working Working Museum!
To see big steam run again is awesome 🍻
I'm sure glad to see her running! I was a supporter for years but am retired now and on fixed income, can't help anymore. Nice job everyone!
Thrilling. Thank you to the good people that restored this beauty❤
A fantastic job by all concerned pays off in a beautifully-captured video. 2926 steps ever closer to hitting the main line. Here in the UK, I am accustomed to seeing steam locomotives restored and operated to main line standards as a norm, so it is hoped on my end that 2926's return may see a revival of the main line steam excursion movement in the USA after the recent restrictions imposed on privately-owned equipment I have heard about. An excellent little production. Regards, Samuel Farris.
I didn't even know there were any restrictions on steam trains in the USA, so maybe there will be more of them. I shoot trains in Europe, so their runs are rare, but they run quite often :D
Apparently, 2926 will mostly operate on commuter trackage owned by the state of New Mexico if what I heard is correct. Another famous restored 4-8-4, N&W 611, is going to run on the Buckingham Branch Railroad in Virginia on old C&O mainline trackage they own from recent announcements. A few other large steamers have also found places to run (mostly on short lines or smaller railroads), but it seems Union Pacific is the only major railroad who is very steam friendly at the moment (partially because of their own steam program with 844 and of course their famous Big Boy 4014). Unfortunately, we probably won't see many further restorations of large engines in the near future apart from Reading 2100 and maybe 1-2 others. Things could change though, especially if more steam engines are equipped with PTC (Amtrak though has made things very difficult even for railroads possibly open to allowing them like Norfolk Southern since they're often very hostile to private trains running on tracks they use, which usually is mainlines). As an American it is very frustrating to say the least, but at least some of our giants will still be able to operate.
I remember seeing this engine back in 1964 when the family lived there in Albuquerque. She sure look good!
FANTASTIC!!! Another piece of history saved!! Way to go guys!!
Love to see 2926 and Big Boy !
The big reveal. ATSF #2926 is completely great and steaming again after 20 years of restoration. Those 20 years of restoration really did pay off. Welcome new excursion star ATSF #2926. :]
Bringing history back to life.
I feel the 4-8-4 Northerns often have the best whistles -- AT&SF 3751, AT&SF 2926, UP 844, SP 4449 -- all great sounding.
Hauntingly strong!
What a beauty! Another steamer joins the modern world!
It makes my heart pump with joy to see an old steam engine brought back to life after decades of inactivity. Even though I'm a traction enthusiast...I still LOVE STEAM LOCOMOTIVES!!! 😍 🚂
Now that’s what I call a big diehl! :)
It is great to see apart of history restored for all to enjoy. Great job, great video.
Sweet, this is the first time I learned about this locomotive being restored. First I learned about R&N T-1 No. 2102, then WM No. 1309, and now Santa Fe 2926 as well as U.S. Sugar No. 148 and East Broad Top No. 16. That's five steam locomotives that have been restored in the past 4 yrs! It looks certain steam locos and hopefully former excursion stars are making a comeback.
Even more will join them soon…
Unfortunately the Cotton Belt 819 won't be restored to operating condition, at least not anytime soon. Hopefully Union Pacific will have a change in heart and allow it to run on their lines since Cotton Belt railroad did merge with them in 1996.
2716 a C&O 2-8-4 and 2100 a Reading 4-8-4 are returning to service within the next year or so
Looks like it is burning clean! So awesome to see it moving under its own power after all these years!
Kudos to all those who took part of their lives to bring this gorgeous beast back to life. Best wishes for an active future for this magnificent machine.
One of the Largest and most Powerful 4-8-4’s ever made! Beautiful!
*These are living, breathing beasts! Great shots, including the drone footage... That whistle was sweet to hear - like MUSIC*
We were there at the same time and saw your drone overhead. I saw myself twice in this video and was a great day for 2926.
My grandma used to live down in Albuquerque. I think the last time we went to see the progress of that engine was back in 2014 or 2015. Very glad to see it in the consition its in!
Another grand ol' lady saved. Wonderful job men. Can't wait to see her pull cargo and passengers. Keep us posted please. Cheers!!!!!!
Thank god there are still people who care enough about this stuff to keep it alive. Rode the small gauge Pine Creek Railroad at Allaire State Park in NJ as a kid. They still had engine 26 running on steam, some of my fondest memories- the smell of anthracite coal, the water shed refills when you were lucky enough to be on a “refill ride”, riding in the top window seat of the caboose with my parents. I’m 44 now, my kids are too old to think it’s cool anymore but I took them to Allaire when they were little (they’ve run some little ex-navy diesels for the past 30 or so years). They loved it just like I did. Tempus fugit
What a gorgeous gal! Can feel the love that went in to her. Hope she can get out even for short moves sooner rather than later..
HOW PROUD WOULD I BE to see something move live after such a long restoration!
Well done, glad to see ya at this occasion
*Jim Carrey as 'The Mask' doing his Sally Field impression*: "You like me, you really like me..!"
Amazing stuff folks. So good to see steam is alive in the US. Your locos are fitted with so more support systems then our British locos but then your twins were so much longer and required more subs systems powered from the Loco itself.
Wow those whistles I’d love to ride in the cab / footplate as she rides over one of those massive wooden trestle bridges hearing that whistle. Good luck with this project guys hope all goes well and you get some passenger coaches hooked up behind her
I love seeing these old steamers being restored back to service. Several steamers have been restored in recent years and look great going down the rails.
Absolutely Beautiful!
Thanks for posting this!!
I love seeing steam trains and classic cars come back to life! Great Job on this!
It is wonderful to see this large and handsome locomotive back in operation once again, ATSF 2926 is once again the largest 4-8-4 type locomotive in operation and I am glad to see this engine is being properly cared for. Hopefully later this year the 2926 will be hauling passenger excursion trains across the southwestern USA territory, also later in the future the 2926 will have a reunion meeting with ATSF 3751 which I hope will occur.
Surprisingly small crowd to see the unveiling. So glad to see it back under steam. 🙂
Wow! 20 years of being worked on!
Great job on bringing that steam locomotive back to life.
Being old as dirt and from a railroad family I truly love big steam. Thank you for this video.
What a beautiful locomotive. Congratulations to all involved in getting her back into this condition. Great job. Thank you.
That's beautiful! Looks like they ran her from the shed to Tractor Brewery and back; NICE!!! This was a stealth launch, as evidenced by the sparse crowds. I had no idea they were running it out for a couple of blocks until seeing this video. A few thousand folks like me would have shown up if it were announced (they probably weren't ready for a crowd). The team has worked so hard on this for a number of years; congratulations!
My father would have loved to have seen this.
Well done to them!
Awesome video! I saw your drone flying around and I’m glad I was able to see the footage :)
Very nice to see, and well documented by yourself. Thanks! 👍
Great photography and a handsome doggy!
Thank You! There was no way I could have been there for this. I Love these moments of History making events!! Thanks Again!!!!😅
Thank you for saving the old girl!!!!!
I want to see ATSF 2926 and ATSF 3751 do a double header that will be so cool
I had the exact same thought
Dude, 3751 and 2926 should reunite, everyone would all be emotionally touched.
She is beautiful..to the guys restoring her to her former beauty thank you !!
These big locomotives and their tenders are one of the great wonders of the world. A living machine! I cannot imagine moving that much metal 110mph. Congratulations to everyone involved. It's a master piece, and a wonderful thing you've done! Life-time achievement!
Looks from the UK side of the pond to be a Beauty, well done to all who have worked on her.
That's such a beautiful locomotive. I'd love to see both 2926 and 3751 together one day
Me, too! have you seen the footage of 3751 charging down a California freeway? the 11 minute video is surreal
@@harridan. I think I have actually. It's a wonderful video. Now I'm thinking of how awesome it would be if there was a big steam gala where all of America's steam locomotives get together
@@steamfan4014 wouldn't that be something! my neighbor's kid is around 5 and he's a total steam nut, won't even look at a diesel engine. he has no idea how lucky he is to live near #2926.
@@harridan. It sure would!
That be a Choo Choo Train... What things of beauty, especially when you are pacing along side at 50 mph like I did once years ago for several miles in northern Colorado...
Santa Fe 4-8-4s are my favorite.
A thing of beauty, an American icon, the last of her kind...and then there's the whistle. No sound on earth like that. If you're old enough, you can walk out of doors on a late autumn evening, past the street lights and automobiles, past where the sidewalk ends and if you listen just so, you can still hear the lonely, mournful cry of that whistle echoing in the distance. Dang, I think I have something in my eye.........
What a sight to see this double heading with 3751.
Such Beauty ❤
Excellent workmanship, fantastic layout. Love all those beautiful STEAM LOCOMOTIVES
Congratulations to you guys and everybody who was involved in this great restoration
Hello, Great Steam Locomotive the 2926 of the Santa Fe. Thank you for the wealth of information about the locomotive and your life. A fascinating sight when this locomotive drives past you so slowly. Thanks for the great video and greetings from Germany
That's one beautiful iron horse, I remember growing up and seeing steam locomotives, it's a pleasure to hear that whistle
Awesome !!!! James
Beautiful piece of Living History..
Thats cool. Greetings from Hamburg/ Germany.
Awesome video and welcome back 2926 👍😎🇺🇸🚂👍
Awesome
Fantastic to see...best regards from Australia.
Beautiful!
Okay, okay… I’ll do it for Zypher🐶 Count me in!
I had no idea of this restoration. And I have been to Albuquerque several times in the past few years. Thank you for this clip sir! Liked and subscribed.
Magnificent Beast
This is awesome. The steam engine is restored to running condition. Keep up the good work
Fantastic job guys, good to see these monsters of steam live again 👍
I was living in the ABQ when they moved her from the park and began the restoration. Good to see it running again.
In the early and middle years of the rebuild Los Pollos Hermanos and its owner Gustavo Fring were regular donors and provided frequent and delicious chicken meals for many work sessions.
A true classic. Great stuff
I look forward to seeing her in the future. Maybe we might see her side by side with 3751 some day.
Now that would be GLORIOUS!
Nice drone shots. Thanks!
Incredible. Thank you for sharing
Another Gem brought back to life. Great job everybody
What a beautiful beast - magnificent!!!
A real beauty of a work horse!! Love the whistle!!
Great video! You did a fantastic job telling about her history and our awsome first time out!
Awesome, great video, can't wait to see what's next for this beauty!
I remember her when I was a kid, she was at a park in Albuquerque. This brought a smile to me.
It's nice to see our history preserved for future generations to see
Can't wait to see this beauty "at speed" out in open country!
Okay, now let's see it at 90mph (or more!)🥰👌🌞👍
That is what I am thinking.
Gorgeous!
Love it
Wow super amazing 🤩 thanks for sharing 👍😎
Beautiful site to see, fully restored and operational. Great piece of history preserved.
I hope one day to see Santa Fe 2926. Beautiful video.
Cool to see all thirty-two ppl made it out.
Amazing! God bless!!!
Excellent! When's the doubleheader with 3751?
fantastic
What an awesome sight it's always good to see an old steam locomotive chuffin along
Great
Great video. Neat mix of points of view with the drone shots and attention to many details! I lost track of you when I quit FB, but good to find you again! Hope your career in the industry is 'still on track!'