A visit to the restoration site of AT&SF 2926 in Albuquerque, New Mexico on February 2, 2019 revealed that the locomotive is almost ready to be fired up again. On this bright Saturday, there were several groups working on different projects including electrical work on the locomotive and the brakes on the tractor that pulls the locomotive out of shelter on work days. There were several people using levels to determine the grade of the track from one end of the restoration yard to the other. Even though it looks level, there is actually an 8 to 10 inch change in elevation from one end to the other and more importantly, hills and valleys along the track. One volunteer that I talked to said, “We should steam in a few weeks and there’s a crew going around and labeling valves and working on procedures for that. If we pull everything off on that check list and the tests go like they’re supposed to then we’ll load the pistons and the valves and start slapping on the jacket and insulation on the boiler. With pistons and valves in it, then theoretically it can move under its own power. “Special thanks to Doyle Caton and Dr. Michael Hartshorne for taking time to fill me in on that status of 2926 and share some great stories with me!
I will certainly give the title of the 2926 restoration as one of the most unmotived restorations I have ever seen going on 19 years now. It's been over 1 1/2 years since it passed it's hyrostatic test. They probably have over a 1,000 hours or more working on that radial buffer that a foundry could have cast in a day. If that locomotive is up and running in 2019 I will be surprised. Usually towards the end of a restoration you get more volunteers, more enthusiasm, and more energy to get things wrapped up. With this locomotive it seems to be the opposite, with work slowing to a snails pace.
I wouldn't be so hard on the people who are performing this restoration. It also took a pretty long time for PM 1225 to get restored to operating conditions. Money and location are also factors that affect the pace.
Thomas 9011 I will certainly give the title of the 2926 restoration as one of the most unmotived restorations I have ever seen going on 19 years now. It's been over 1 1/2 years since it passed it's hyrostatic test. They probably have over a 1,000 hours or more working on that radial buffer that a foundry could have cast in a day. If that locomotive is up and running in 2019 I will be surprised. Usually towards the end of a restoration you get more volunteers, more enthusiasm, and more energy to get things wrapped up. With this locomotive it seems to be the opposite, with work slowing to a snails pace.
Do they have the money to pay the foundry to manufacture that new piece? Are there any such manufacturers in the immediate area? Do the have the plans and drawings of that piece to supply the foundry with?
I've volunteered my time toward the restorations and maintenance of multiple pieces of equipment, including a steam locomotive, as part of a cash-strapped non-profit organization. It would have been very nice to simply contract the manufacturing of new parts instead of rehabbing the old ones, but you have to make do with what you have (free volunteer labour). And I don't think they have a hard deadline to meet either.
Using as much of the original material as possible also preserves the historic fabric of the artifact, which is what any piece of old railroad equipment is.
No idea if you're located in New Mexico, but you should get involved with a railway museum and start making a difference. They all need the help. You'll also get to see first-hand the compromises that are made when you have a really tight budget.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
Also most of the people who are involved in this restoration are retired from Las Alameda nuclear weapons research plants. They take being exactly correct to the extreme. A couple days ago they actually took a laser to measure the track the 2926 is on. They then found out that the track was the problem with the buffer not the buffer itself. They found a 10 inch hole in the track right were they've been trying to measure the buffer all this time.
"...retired from Las Alameda nuclear weapons research plants."
Hmmmmm. Make me wonder just WHAT is going to be in the firebox.
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