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Santa Fe 2926 facts for kids

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Santa Fe 2926
Santa Fe No. 2926 on display at Coronado Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Power type Steam
Builder Baldwin Locomotive Works
Serial number 69814
Build date March 1944
Rebuild date 1999–ongoing
Configuration 4-8-4
Gauge 4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Driver diameter 80 in (2,032 mm)
Length 120 ft 10 in (36.83 m)
Axle load 77,500 lb (35,200 kg)
Weight on drivers 293,860 lb (133,290 kg)
Locomotive weight 510,150 lb (231,400 kg)
Tender weight 464,700 lb (210,800 kg)
Locomotive and tender combined weight 974,850 lb (442,180 kg)
Fuel type Oil
Fuel capacity 7,000 US gal (26,000 L; 5,800 imp gal)
Water capacity 24,500 US gal (93,000 L; 20,400 imp gal)
Boiler pressure 300 psi (2.1 MPa)
Fire grate area 108 sq ft (10.0 m2)
Cylinders 2
Cylinder size 28 in × 32 in (711 mm × 813 mm)
Power output 4,590 hp (3,420 kW) at 40 mph (64 km/h)
Tractive effort 79,968 lbf (355.72 kN)
Factor of adhesion 3.67
Last run December 24, 1953 (revenue service)
Retired 1956 (revenue service)
Current owner New Mexico Steam Locomotive and Railroad Historical Society
Disposition Undergoing restoration to operating condition, based in Albuquerque, New Mexico
ATSF Locomotive No. 2926
Santa Fe 2926 is located in New Mexico
Santa Fe 2926
Location in New Mexico
Santa Fe 2926 is located in the United States
Santa Fe 2926
Location in the United States
Location 1600 Twelfth St. NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Area less than one acre
Built 1944
Architect Baldwin Locomotive Works
NRHP reference No. 07000388
Quick facts for kids
Significant dates
Added to NRHP October 1, 2007

Santa Fe 2926 is a former Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (ATSF) class 2900 4-8-4 "Northern" type steam locomotive originally built in 1944 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works. This locomotive was part of the last group of steam passenger locomotives built for the Santa Fe railway. This class of locomotives were the heaviest 4-8-4's built in the United States and among the largest. The railroad used the locomotive in both fast freight and passenger service, accumulating over one million miles of usage before its last revenue run on December 24, 1953. The locomotive and a caboose were donated to the City of Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1956 in recognition of the city's 250th anniversary, and placed in Coronado Park.

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 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 "Northern" type steam locomotive in the United States. Norfolk & Western 611 is currently the largest operating 4-8-4 "Northern" type locomotive.

Locomotive 2926 Restoration
No. 2926 during the beginning of its restoration process, 2008

On February 11, 2016, House Memorial 100, introduced by Don L. Tripp, and adopted by the New Mexico State 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.

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.

On August 20, 2018, the boiler of ATSF No. 2926 was fired up for the first time in 63 years. 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. It will likely be a few more months before the 2926 will run again. It will possibly take part in various special events, including a double header with fellow 4-8-4 No. 3751, or a visit to the Grand Canyon Railway in Arizona.

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

  • House Memorial 100
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