In the 1940s, The Santa Fe Railroad wanted new diesel locomotives, however due to World War II, the U.S. War Department said they could not use diesel locomotives; diesel was needed for the warships. so, they had to go back to using steam locomotives. AT&SF designed a new class of steam locomotives called the 2900 series. The Design was sent to the Baldwin Locomotive Works, and 30 new 4-8-4 northern type steam locomotives were built. In 1944 one of these engines was 2926.
she began her service pulling men and women and hauling them off to Word War II. After the war 2926 hauled passengers and freight throughout the southwest for the remainder of her service.
In 1956 2926 was retired and donated to the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico. she was then place in Coronado Park, where she remained for 44 years.
Decades had passed and the elements were unkind to the locomotive, and decay was eminent.
in the late 1990s, a group called The New Mexico Steam Locomotive and Railroad Historical Society was formed to save 2926. in 2000 the group bought the locomotive and rescued her. she was then moved 8 blocks south of the park to the NMSL&RHS World Headquarters and began restoring her.
Today 2926 is fully restored to operating condition and will return to the rails soon. she is undergoing test runs and going through legal work to run on other railroad tracks. there are plans to take an excursion trip from Albuquerque, New Mexico to LAs Vegas New Mexico.
the world headquarters is located at:
1833 8th St. NW
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102
and to learn more about the group and 2926, go to:
Museum of Southwestern Transportation 