ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The final operations of the 2024 season for Santa Fe No. 2926 can best be described as a photo finish. The 4-8-4 built in 1944 was chartered by Pete Lerro for a private photo shoot on October 28-29.

Originally scheduled to take place entirely at the Rail Yards complex in downtown Albuquerque for both days, a surprise came in the evening when the stage was relocated to the Alvarado Transportation Center platform. Nighttime static shots and photo passes were conducted along the former ATSF Transcontinental mainline with number 2926 and the tool car.

“The photo shoot on the platform was a last-minute affair,” said Mathew Casford, chief of rail operations for New Mexico Heritage Rail (NMHR), which owns the locomotive. “I was just trying to come up with a different idea.

“So I called Rail Runner to see if we could do it, and they were more than enthusiastic.”

So much so that the commuter rail system’s media team was on hand to take photos for marketing and public relations purposes. This became a home run for Casford.

“For this entire year and a half of the last year, my goal has been to build relationships and establish a work history so that the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT), Rio Metro (Rail Runner), BNSF Railwayand Amtrak are all comfortable with us,” he said. “So far, everything indicates that everything is moving in the right direction.”

Overall, Casford confirms that #2926 performed as expected without any major issues. With the 2024 operations now complete, off-season work will begin in preparation for the new year.

For issue 2926, any items on the to-do list that have not yet been addressed will be addressed. “On top of that, we have to prepare for the annual inspection,” Casford added. “And this is our fifth year, so the inspection is a little more thorough than the regular annual inspection.”

For the Rail Yards complex, $475,000 was recently awarded to NMHR by the state in capital expenditure funds to refurbish the hub. “We are currently working within the city services to obtain the release of funds and the award of the contract.”

For Casford: “I’m going to continue to work with Rail Runner and NMDOT and try to come to an agreement to give us a broader operational reach in and around Albuquerque so that we can have greater community engagement and give us the opportunity . to host more public relations events at a number of local Rail Runner stations around Albuquerque.

“I think the 2024 operating season was a great success and it really comes down to the dedicated volunteers. From restoration to operations, without the dedicated team of NMHR volunteers, No. 2926 is going nowhere.

Visit the New Mexico Heritage Rail website for updates and announcements.