Santa Fe 2926: Restored and On The Main Line

The Restored It, And the Ran it On the Main Line!
They say strange things happen during the full moon, and we’re in Albuquerque underneath one as we find something that hasn’t been seen here since the 1950s makes an appearance along the former Santa Fe Main Line as Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe 4-8-4 Restored Northern runs on the main line for the first time under steam since her fire was dropped on Christmas Eve 1953.
After a lengthy restoration that began in 1999 when she was removed from Albuquerque’s Coronado Park and capped off with its fire once again lit in 2021. The 2926 moved out of the gate of the restoration facility onto the Sawmill Spur for the first time in May of 2023.
On September 30th of the same year, she finally got a chance to break out of the spur when she rounded the curve and entered what is now the New Mexico Department of Transportation’s Albuquerque Subdivision and headed next to the former Santa Fe locomotive shops where the locomotive would have been serviced when in revenue use.
On display for New Mexico Railroad Days, she came down with a baggage car, a work-in-progress conversion to a tool car. Next to the 2926, Amtrak brought in P-42 #203, painted to promote Operation Lifesaver, a program to prevent grade crossing collisions, and had it on display along with a newer BNSF wide-nose General Electric Diesel.
Join us as 2926 ventures out (‪@YardLimit‬ caught it leaving the day before). We’re kinda delayed in block even though we never get above restricted speed so that distant signal won’t matter. We’re on NMRX which if you’re a CoasterFan, you’ll see similar equipment. So be a virtual Railfan and join us.

[@leightonmoreland]

THEY HATH DONE THE MEME NOW IT MUST RIDE THE HIGH IRON AGAIN DOUBLE HEADED WITH THE BIG BOY OVER RATON PASS!!!!!

[@ohiovalleyrailfan]

Amen brother.

[@PereMarquette1223]

Forget the big boy… 3751 has waited much longer for this.

[@davidng2336]

@@PereMarquette1223and UP won’t let anything not UP on their rails

[@louislamonte334]

@@PereMarquette1223 Absolutely!!!

[@PereMarquette1223]

@@davidng2336 that’s wrong cause it’s happened before.

[@laurieharper1526]

Beautiful restoration. I'm a Brit and I love the powerful, purposeful appearance of your steam locomotives. They make some of ours look like toys.

[@Big_Diehl]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@e-train765]

That Amtrak Southwest Chief engineer though!!! Wanting to trade horn/whistle salutes!! God speed sir! 🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡

[@LisbonRailProductionsandF1]

@e-train765 you could say that again, mate, i subbed your channel.

[@MigunoOS]

i love the horn and whistle exchange between the chief and the 2926

[@Hyce777]

You love to see it. Glad you got to be there for this man!

[@mr.sir.]

We caught him in 4k guys! Hyce is here

[@AmtrakFunkandDiscoFan]

Santa Fe 3751 and 2926 should reunite and doublehead one day.

[@Fireball409]

You're NOT the first to suggest that!

[@AmtrakFunkandDiscoFan]

@@Fireball409 Dude, everybody wants that.

[@MarkLac]

Everyone is hoping for it one day. But then comes the question of where a reunion should happen and then the discussions and much anticipated paperwork of getting permissible moves to such a destination which is no easy feat in this day and age. I am not saying it can not be done, but it would no doubt take a lot of coordination, talks and most especially money.

[@jamessnyder3052]

I hope that happens

[@JayTheTrainFan]

Chief(ATSF 3751):Me Too,Hope Me and Alan(ATSF 2926)Doublehead Soon

[@DanCron]

I never get tired of that whistle! Goosebumps!

[@mcp12300]

It may become my favourite I think.

[@xenomorph2056]

A dream come true! 2926 breathes life again after over half a century!!

[@thecrazyrailroader]

Glad to see 2926 run on the mainline, it deserves the fame aswell it's restoration aswell.

[@Stussmeister]

Very nice. As a self-described railroad nut, it is very heartening to see steam locomotives restored to running condition and appreciated. I'll also admit that while I watched this, I couldn't help but think, "...she's the only one that'll sound that way, on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe."

[@louislamonte334]

Beyond thrilled to see this beauty! A truly magnificent restoration!! I hope next we'll see an AT&SF 2-10-4 restored!!

[@markhenry5294]

Me too.

[@tommymartin4827]

Thanks for sharing.. Simply amazing on the accomplishment of bringing the 2926 back to running condition..Bravo to the team for all the hard work..that run bye on the Main was much needed. Hope to see the 2926 on a assignment pulling hard soon

[@brookspotts9312]

Looking good! The Rough Riders Rail Rehab team salutes Henry Roberts and the other dedicated members of the NMSL&RHS on this amazing milestone!

[@jimmyhook4852]

Man it just feels good seeing 2926 on the mainline. ^^

[@slanderedstone]

Wow, they actually restored it and ran it on the main!

[@maciekkra539]

On Super Chief😊

[@polyrhythmia]

She has a sister 2913 in Riverview Park, Fort Madison, Iowa. Love this kind of video, high quality, takes you there. I've yet to see an actual steam engine run..

[@PeanutsAndSanrioFan]

After 70 years, she’s back on the main!

[@joelvale3887]

This engine is pure muscle.

[@jamessnyder3052]

There is nothing better than seeing a steam locomotive under steam it’s a beautiful sight to see

[@STHSIndustries2K6]

ATSF #2926 has taken her first steps on the mainline. Heck yeah boys. This paves the way for future mainline excursions with ATSF #2926. 😊

[@Maizerus]

20 years to restore this beast. I've been following them since '99. I hope they find a place to run her. 3751 isn't having an easy time finding a place, either.

[@chooch1764]

The society is working with New Mexico DOT and Amtrak for mainline excursions.

[@Maizerus]

@@chooch1764 In the steam excursion industry, working with and have an agreement in place are night and day. Good on them if they get an agreement in place, great on them in fact. Just saying I have to remain speculative until I see such a thing happen. And Amtrak has proven itself not capable of playing ball since their new CEO came in a few years ago and put the kai-bosh on ALL steam. Locomotives that relied heavily on the Amtrak sponsorship (like 4449) have had very few places they can go since then.

[@chooch1764]

⁠@@MaizerusI can confirm that both New Mexico DOT and Amtrak are showing support for future 2926 excursions, because the group said so replying to another “know-it-all” railfan and proving him wrong. Skepticism does not help, but our support for them does. Become a member of the New Mexico Heritage Rail today. Spread the word about their upcoming tractor brewing fundraiser event on May 4th, so that more people can buy merch and make donations.

[@LisbonRailProductionsandF1]

Magnificent catches of the steam locomotive coming by and pass, I like it 5 stars, keep up the great work, my friend, you earned a new subscriber, Greetings from Portugal to the USA.

[@mallonmusic]

What a great idea 😅

[@brianwhittaker4885]

Great video. Proud to support the 2926. 🚂🚂

[@drmsig.r1000]

Amazing they finally got her running!!! Such a beautiful Amazing steam locomotive!

[@chrispritchard3775]

Well done what a fantastic achievement for you all. long live 2926 and god bless her

[@bertcresta6685]

Excellent video! If 3751 ever gets put together again, it would be great to see it side by side with 2926. Great work restoring the locomotive!!!

[@shanewalters2565]

3751's restoration was already finished a long time ago, she just attended Fullerton Railroad Days down in LA not too long ago, with her now running again, who knows? There could be a chance of this happening at some point in time

[@jmurrell9881]

That is such a cool shot of the 2926 crusing down the mainline going under the highway bridge passing in front of the Glorieta beer building. It's too bad they couldn't get permission to cruise on to Lamy and turn around on the wye and return to Albuquerque.

[@YardLimit]

Good stuff! The ending is always fun to watch.

[@Big_Diehl]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@MrJuvefrank]

It was a big day for the Santa Fe.

[@stephencurry8552]

Oh shoot I missed this! Great job gentlemen! Your hard work over those many years is obvious. What a spectacular machine! Awesome!

[@TwoRibbonRailvideos]

THE ALMIGHTY WORDS HAVE BEEN SPOKEN! 2926 LIVES AGAIN GOBBLESS

[@thomasavensjr.2790]

Fantastic sight to see Santa Fe engine 2926 back in operation again on the mainline for the first time in 70 years, I am eager to see 2926 get to work hauling excursion trains and hopefully that will happen in 2024.

[@Bruno.Trains]

What it beautiful layout! I love the way you do your videos because it’s hard to believe that these are not real full size trains - you are an amazing videographer. Salutations de France

[@CodyShell]

I went to a public viewing of the 2926 last summer and the guy I spoke with there said they were working on possibly setting up a route where the 2926 will take passengers from albuqerque up past las vegas NM, then it will turn around and head back. Sounded really cool! would love to take a ride on it someday. That locomotive is SO much bigger in person its crazy

[@RailwayProductions]

Thanks for making the effort to get this so I can watch 1,200 miles away. Nice vid!

[@pgronemeier]

It's a good thing it was going with the wind! We didn't want it to tip. It got WINDY yesterday!🤣👍

[@brian-te4xs]

She is Beautiful, 4-8-4 nothing but class.

[@greatsmokymtnsrailfan]

Great video and coverage of the event! THEY DID THE THING GOBBLESS

[@NOVARailandWeatherEnthusiast]

He did it, he said the thing!

[@Big_Diehl]

We did.. we said THE thing

[@atsf2926]

Great video as usual!

[@Big_Diehl]

I appreciate that

[@cadetkohr5508]

They actually did it, they restored her and ran her on the mainline!

[@Gerk8]

What a beautiful sight! Congratulations to all involved in this project!

[@sebastianschroeder6459]

Now she needs to push a stalled diesel consist... such as 4014 and 844... Let the Steam Era, recommence!

[@paulmatulavich7321]

Outstanding coverage of this special event. Professional cinematography with superb sound. Since the housing market crushed my plan to retire to New Mexico, I'll have to watch your videos to keep up.

[@rabie95]

Now it time to meet Santa Fe 3751 in LA and do excursion together

[@HTTVChannel]

Beautiful shots!

[@Big_Diehl]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Patric5590]

Awesome video with a horn salute 👍🇺🇸🚂😎👍

[@Big_Diehl]

Thank you very much!

[@LanesTrains]

Great video! Can't believe they did the thing!

[@Big_Diehl]

Right?!

[@northpennvalleysteamrailroad]

Awesome!!!!

[@OvernightScaleModels]

Great video! Thanks for sharing

[@Big_Diehl]

Our pleasure!

[@lashendawest7509]

Great catches and awesome video

[@2001SRN]

They restored it and ran it on the mainline!!!!

[@roterakaten636]

I want to restore a steam locomotive but instead of oil conversion do electric conversion. They did it in ww2. But the locomotives where over head powered. What I wanna do is. 5 parts. 1. Electric element the fire box. 2. Install a dynamo that can create enough power to let the elements do there job when the system is at power/pressure. 4. Install. E axles under the tender so that the dynamo can turn off or have an excess of power for amenities in the cars behind. 4. Add a diesel generator incase all else fails and that way there is a power source still in there. That is reliable. As this would be an experimental thing. 5. Add language plugs so if it's parked in town and idling. It can be plugged into the grid and feed back. This way if you have a fleet of electric vechiles. When it's at pressure. The turbine will just idle and create electricity for the fleet to charge itself off of and not over stress the grid connection. Or just power the nearest facility. Have it parked next to a plant and plugged In. When it's getting ready to be loaded. Use a normal diesel electric as a yard pusher and this way the next 2 hrs is the whole plant running off one of these things idling.

[@jonathancordovapettit2nd]

all aboard 2926 and great job

[@railfannercristian]

I just sub to ya and love the video of ATSF2926

[@1chuck96]

I don't remember the last time I cringed and/or "puckered" at the same time while watching the '26 'round that curve at 6:16 in on that neglected 75 year old 90 lb. rail and expecting her to turn a rail over!!! Man, she's just too damn big to be taking chances like that, but I guess you guy's , (obviously) know more then I do so I'll keep my thoughts to myself.

[@BringMayFlowers]

Ooh, nice! I'm heading to ABQ in a couple days and staying for a week, I hope I see her there!

[@cementer7665]

Perhaps a deal could be reached with BNSF and AmTrak to have it power an excursion, or two, between Albuquerque and Trinidad, and back, over Raton Pass (at a premium price of course), a couple of times per year.

[@thatonecaledonian812]

I really hope they raise the funnel when running her!

[@Big_Diehl]

Kinda surprised they didn't have the extension up then. There's nothing along that piece of rail it wouldn't have cleared.

[@JayTheTrainFan]

Alan(ATSF 2926):I’m Finally Restored and Ready to Go Back on The Mainline

[@vincentandhimi6990]

They listened and restored it and ran it the mainline

[@evanquinn728]

@Big Diehl as always, your videos are top notch! Got the digs on the SP t-shirt?

[@Big_Diehl]

Mohawk Design. I'm willing to take a sponsorship if you know them... LoL. www.mohawk-design.com/collections/southern-pacific/products/southern-pacific-passenger-train-service-shirt

[@mr.sir.]

As an old head i once knew would say, "May the iron whale live again!"

[@MrEnglishford]

3751 and 2926 would great to see run togethor

[@gretchenchadwick8343]

My son thinks those 3 cabooses at 4:38 should be restored and coupled behind 2926s tool car.

[@TG73928]

I am visiting New Mexico this week and flying out of Albuquerque Saturday, were do I need to go to see this beautiful piece of machinery?

[@Big_Diehl]

1833 Eighth St NW, Albuquerque. They’re open on Wednesday and Saturdays

[@BillClarke-cn5lf]

Too bad the 2926 can’t run on the Buckingham Branch’s old C&O main line. It would be interesting to compare and contrast that locomotive with the 611, maybe have them double head. Maybe have the two engines against each other in a pulling contest.

[@chooch1764]

It’s better to have 2926 stay out west. Having a Santa Fe locomotive in Virginia doesn’t seem right.

[@chasekostiuk4263]

Do they plan on doing excursions with this engine

[@Thunder_6278]

2926; The queen of Albequerque. I didn't see Bugs Bunny anywhere around here....

[@MFR6963]

What type of text did you use for the title where in says Santa Fe 2926

[@TheMotorick]

Such a majestic locomotive. It's a shame she didn't get to stretch her legs.

[@LegendRails]

I would love if 2926 double-head with 3751, if possible

[@fluffnose3386]

HE SAID THE LINE!!! NOW LETS RUN IT AROUND HORSESHOE CURVE WITH 611!!!

[@2manycatsforadime]

6:58, what is the degree of the curve. Looks really tight and was wondering if the 26 could get through it.

[@Big_Diehl]

I'm gonna have to defer you to an expert better than me.

[@2manycatsforadime]

Nice Vid.@@Big_Diehl

[@uprrslo]

Their going too need a new bell.

[@TheSteamGuy5125]

Why? Sounds fine to me...

[@pontushaggstrom6261]

Nice work! would be nice to see her going faster thatn 2 mph tho

[@Big_Diehl]

Hey, she’s doing nearly 10x that !

[@ToledoRails]

THE THING

[@Big_Diehl]

Indeed...

[@svenmartin840]

I bet when she was pulling frieght or passangers from L.A to Dallas to Chicago. And if she had met the DieBahn the 05 that is my grandfathers's train that he drove in Germany during World War 2. And they met in Santa Fe. If they could talk the stories they would tell.

[@theronbrawley9716]

She Belen loc

[@maxwellwalcher6420]

is 2926 ready for Passengers.

[@LynsTrains]

They took restore it and run it on the mainline to seriously 🤣

[@ArkansasLocomotiveWorks]

GOBBLESS EXPRESS THEY RESTORNKED IT HOPE THEY CAN RUN IT TO MY HOUSE GOBBLESS!!!!!

[@TrainFanFromCA]

Why did She have the baggage car behind her?

[@chooch1764]

That baggage car is a tool car, basically a support car for the 2926.

[@robertartac1853]

Um...Zak Bagans is the narrator?

[@Big_Diehl]

Dunno... is that one of my alternate personalities?

[@robertartac1853]

Seriously sounds like him.

[@CameraManRailFan]

See train think track

[@ArkansasLocomotiveWorks]

See train think track

[@Big_Diehl]

@CameraManRailFan, @ArkansasLocomotiveWorks, Think Train See Track...

[@thomasschwartz555]

It was great. But it was almost insulting that 2926 couldn't back into the shed under her own power, having some kind of ugly thing move her.

[@Big_Diehl]

The fire was already dropped, not my decision on how they move their locomotive.

[@xxxx-hw5we]

Loved the video, hated the shirt!

[@Big_Diehl]

It’s a comfy stylish shirt…

[@TheJm16601]

Gettin a kick out of the guy whining about someone in his shot. Why should someone sacrifice their experience so you can get a pic?

[@Big_Diehl]

I'm missing that. I know I joked about it, but I didn't think any of that made my recording.

[@StopTargetingOurKids]

Amtrak service is laughable; 33 hours minimum from DFW to Chicago and to drive there including stops is 14 hours lol

[@Big_Diehl]

Hmm... According to the timetable, it's only 22 hours scheduled via the Texas Eagle. And Google Maps says it's 15 hours to drive between the two stations, not including stops. Unfortunately, the United States is now a third-world country under the shiny veneer of a first-world one controlled by an oligarchy. We subsidize sub-standard forms of transit such as highways while we've let what used to be a top-notch rail system languish. We had been making slow steps forward until 2017 and then the rug got pulled out from that.

[@RonaldHill-wo3yb]

well this isnt the only locomotive that runs yall are forgetting 3751 is restored hoping one day 2926 and 3751 reunite and doublehead together that would be awsome