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News & Reviews News Wire Santa Fe No. 2926 approved to operate along 40 miles of mainline trackage

Santa Fe No. 2926 approved to operate along 40 miles of mainline trackage

By Trains Staff | June 14, 2025

Amendment by NMDOT grants 4-8-4 access to eight Rail Runner Express stations for community events

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A night scene featuring the massive Santa Fe Railway steam engine at the train station in downtown Albuquerque
All dressed up with someplace to go: Restored Santa Fe 4-8-4 No. 2926 has won approval to operate along 40 miles of mainline trackage out of Albuquerque, N.M. New Mexico Heritage Rail

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Santa Fe 4-8-4 steam locomotive No. 2926 will now be able to stack up additional mainline miles. The locomotive’s owner and operator, New Mexico Heritage Rail, announced that the New Mexico Department of Transportation approved expanded access along the Rail Runner Express commuter corridor out of Albuquerque.

According to a press release, the expanded access was finalized through an amendment to the existing joint-use agreement between NMDOT, Rio Metro (Rail Runner), and NMHR. No. 2926’s operations along the ex-ATSF Transcontinental main line has now grown from 2.7 miles — in downtown Albuquerque to reach the Rail Yard facility — to 40 miles between Bernalillo and Los Lunas, N.M.

“The new limits do not require a diesel on the head end or PTC (Positive Train Control),” Mathew Casford, chief of rail operations for New Mexico Heritage Rail, told Trains.com.

“This agreement allows us to bring an important piece of New Mexico railroad history to more communities along the corridor. We deeply appreciate NMDOT’s collaboration in helping preserve and operate this national treasure,” Casford added.

Excursions with the 4-8-4 are currently not in the cards as the agreement applies only to non-revenue deadhead moves with No. 2926 and its support equipment to travel for staging, maintenance, and community outreach. Though now with eight reachable Rail Runner Express stations along the way, NMHR has its sights on public outreach and educational events, all while enhancing community engagement.

“This isn’t just a locomotive — it’s a rolling classroom and a tribute to the people and industry that helped shape New Mexico,” said Casford. “With NMDOT’s support, we’re opening the throttle on a new chapter of outreach, education, and preservation.”

Visit the New Mexico Heritage Rail website for updates and upcoming announcements regarding the upcoming 2025 schedule.

A graphic showing a steam locomotive overlaid with a map showing Albuquerque and communities of Bernalillo to the north and Los Lunas to the south of downtown
Restored Santa Fe 4-8-4 No. 2926 now has room to stretch its legs, thanks to newly granted permission to run between Bernalillo to the north of Albuquerque and Los Lunas to the south of downtown. New Mexico Heritage Rail

11 thoughts on “Santa Fe No. 2926 approved to operate along 40 miles of mainline trackage”

  1. 40 miles is a start now I want it to travel the entire subdivision Albuquerque to Glorietta, Glorietta to Raton, Raton to Pueblo, and Belen to Vaughn. If New Mexico can get the locomotive to travel the entire subdivision BNSF can sign off and then it can go on the Southern Transcon and eventually meet up with its sister locomotive 3751. Hopefully they will get the locomotive able to travel on the main line.

    Reply

    1. I wouldn’t hold my breath on going south of Belen. or west of the Isleta Pueblo. As for the trip to Pueblo suitable water would have be located. Both
      directions of the Southwest Chief are scheduled to pass in the afternoon and I’m sure BNSF will want the excursion in a siding well before they arrive.

  2. Let’s recall that the beloved locomotive has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since October 1, 2007.

    Dr. Güntürk Üstün

    Reply

  5. This took how many years?

    At the rate they are going they’ll probably get the OK to pull excursions only a few weeks before this it’s FRA recertification expires.

    Reply

    1. In May 2002, No. 2926 was moved out on temporary snap tracks to a location near the intersection of 8th Street and Haines Avenue in Albuquerque, New Mexico where it underwent a complete restoration to operating condition by the New Mexico Heritage Rail society.
      On August 20, 2018, the boiler of Santa Fe No. 2926 was fired up for the first time in sixty-five 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.
      On July 24, 2021, the No. 2926 locomotive moved under its own power for the first time in sixty-eight years.

      Dr. Güntürk Üstün

    1. Since Santa Fe No. 2926 was retired on December 24, 1953, you must have seen it in active service before that date…

      Dr. Güntürk Üstün

  7. This is really neat, to be able to see this locomotive running on great track at more than yard limit speeds is amazing. Hopefully in the future they can run excursions.

    Reply
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