ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Santa Fe 4-8-4 No. 2926 will return to Tractor Brewing on May 4, marking the first anniversary of its first public trip, the New Mexico Steam Locomotive & Railroad Historical Society has announced.
The locomotive built by Baldwin in 1944 will again make the half-mile trip from its restoration site at 1833 8th street NW to the brewery at 1800 4th Street NW, departing at approximately 10 a.m. and returning at approximately 4 p.m. The appearance will be paired with a fundraiser to continue the locomotive’s restoration and operating efforts, set for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the event is free and open to all ages.
“We are always really excited any time we get 2926 moving on the rails,” says John Roberts, president of the society, which operates as New Mexico Heritage Rail, “and we thought a return trip to Tractor Brewing, the location of our very first trip outside of our restoration site gate, would be a great first trip to kick off our 2024 event season. Our volunteers put lots of work into 2926 every year and seeing her run under her own power is the reward. The May 4th event will be a time to celebrate our accomplishments. I also need to thank our operating crew, engineer, fireman, brakeman, and others, many who come in from out of town, who make these moves a reality.”
Heritage Rail is also continuing work to restore the city-owned turntable located at the Albuquerque Rail yards; when complete, the turntable will provide a public display area for No. 2926 as well as a site for community events. More information about the society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and No. 2926 is available at its website.
It’s nice that they are taking it out for a spin but they really need to find a place to put it in excursion service. Otherwise the nearly $,000,000 spent to restore it will go to waste.