Santa Fe No. 2926 is a type of 4-8-4 "Northern" type steam locomotive built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1944 for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway (AT&SF).
The railroad used 2926 in both fast freight and passenger service on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad and accumulating over one million miles of usage before its last revenue run on December 24, 1953.
2926 and a caboose were donated to the city of Albuqureque, NM in 1956 in recognition of the city's 250th anniversary. The city displayed 2926 as a static exhibit in Coronado Park until it was sold to the New Mexico Steam Locomotive and Railroad Historical Society on Monday, July 26, 1999.
On Friday, June 23, 2000, 2926 was moved by Messer Construction Company to a BNSF Railway siding just south of Menaul Boulevard. Subsequently, in May 2002, 2926 was moved by the railroad to its current location near the intersection of 8th Street and Haines Avenue where it underwent restoration to operating condition by the Society.
On August 20, 2018, 2926 received its first test-firing and the restoration was later completed on July 24, 2021, with the locomotive intended to be used for mainline excursion service. In December 2021, 2926 became the second steam locomotive to be equipped with Positive Train Control (PTC) technology, the first one being Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014.
On September 30, 2023, 2926 moved onto the mainline for the first time in over 70 years to participate in the Rail Yard Market ABQ event where it was placed on display under steam in the yard until October 1, 2023.
Trivia[]
- 2926 was first test-fired on August 20, 2018, and the restoration to operating condition was later completed on July 24, 2021.
- As of July 24, 2021, 2926 is now the largest operating 4-8-4 "Northern" type steam locomotive in the United States, displacing Norfolk & Western 4-8-4 No. 611.
- In December 2021, 2926 became the second steam locomotive in the United States to be equipped (but not yet used) with Positive Train Control (PTC) technology, the first one being Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 "Big Boy" No. 4014 in July 2021 (used in August 2021).