New Mexico Heritage Rail hopes to turn the 2926 steam engine, one of the world’s largest steam locomotives, into a tourist attraction after it is restored in 2021, for the first time in 65 years since it was taken out of service.
The 2926 engine was born in 1944 and ran a million miles in the American Southwest before someone pulled it out in 1956. Someone rescued the engine in Coronado Park in 2926 after purchasing it for $1 in 1944.
Since then, the volunteers of the New Mexico Steam Locomotive and Railroad Historical Society (NMSL&RHS) have been working on it to make it work. And finally, on July 21st of 2021, around 3:44 p.m., 2926 moved under her own steam again. Fans, donors, and volunteers celebrated with those who have supported the restoration effort.
They spent the last few years getting up to modern standards after the train began moving on its own again.
New Mexico Heritage Rail board member John Roberts said they had to take apart many pieces, descale them, remove rust, paint many items, and make new parts. And now they are looking to turn the engine into a tourist attraction, believing it would bring many people to the town, both locally and from outside the state.
Heritage Rail is currently working with the University of New Mexico on a study to determine whether it is economically feasible to use trains for guided tours, similar to what Santa Fe does with its SkyRail. They are currently considering two sightseeing routes from the rail yards: one south to Los Lunas and one north to Bernalillo.
Possible Sightseeing Opportunities, Expected Cost of the Trip
Sightseeing opportunities are also possible. Roberts said they will emphasize some Indian reservations they will go through, while they still have to explore what is really interesting to highlight beyond that.
They are also planning to coordinate with the New Mexico Department of Transportation to expand their potential routes. If permitted, they can go up to Lamy, partner with Santa Fe Skyrail, and do some interactive excursions with them, or bring people up to Lamy, and SkyRail can take them up to Santa Fe.
Heritage Rail estimates operational costs at around $10,000 per trip, while ticket prices remain undetermined. They expect to bring in 100 to 200 quota passengers, giving many people the opportunity to see as they manage the train cars, which will help their revenue and improve the ride experience.
The Heritage Rail will receive the economic study by the end of this year.
