Re: 2926 Project very much alive

Charlie...Why would the UP pre-ban 2912, properly restored, from its tracks?
It's been running 844, 3985 for years, with few problems.

NMSL&RHS plans to run identical 2926 throughout NM during the state's centennial in 2012, hopefully on UP, as well as BNSF rails.
3751's guys are mentoring the work, local top welders, etc are involved. NMSL is very conscientiously and professionally operated, sought and found a local, workable, secure rebuild site. FRA inspector Ralph Gutierrez checks the work (he also visits C&TS), has pronounced '26 as prime for restoration.

BTW Bill, 2926's cab is still mostly original, only had its badly rusted lower sides and deck rebuilt.
The re-installed cab was sprayed with Rust Bullet, a super-tough, corrosion-arresting primer (as was the tender).
New tubes have arrived, brakework's underway, appliances are being rebuilt. Serious re-assembly is soon to commence.

NMSL means business. I'm convinced (some of my sweat was involved) '26 WILL steam by '12!

PS NMSL started about ten years ago as a branch of Pueblo RHS, re-organized locally, bought park-displayed-since-'56 2926 from Abq qovt for $1, had it moved twice before finding its present rebuild site.
It's too bad Pueblo ran out of 2912 momentum and money.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/03/2009 01:06PM by Abqfoamer.