Steam & Excursion > Another Question to the NMSL&RHS

Not getting any traction using their site. Must be B-Z w/ the Open House.

Anyway, the tender for the 2926 is a pretty big puppy. But even the 3985 used "water bottles" during its' excursions and its' tender was no slouch.

So, will the NMSL&RHS just couple a tank car behind the tender (ugly, very ugly) for its' excursions? Or will another ex-ATSF tender be modified as a "water bottle" for excursion service? Or, no auxilliary tenders at all?

Just curious.

Considering the distance they will be running, will they even need one?

Just me, but I can imagine why they would need an auxiliary tender. Yes, the UP has two aux tanks, but remember that when either 844 and/or 3985 went out, they were gone for weeks at a time, and also had to plan on making at least 250 miles, or more, in a day prior to an overnight stop, and THAT takes lots of water. Having to take on water through a 2 1/2" fire hose at maybe 300GPM, sure takes a long time when you need maybe 20,000 gals, while sitting on a main line someplace.

Good responses. TYVM.

Good answers generate more questions. So, here I go again. :-)

I'm not familiar w/ the Albuquerque area. So, my questions are, what line will the 2926 run on? Where is it located & where does it go? What are the specifics of that line (turning facilities, rail specs (weight), capacity, history (if any), current traffic, signalling (if any))

Sorry good people. I can't help but be an inquisitive b_st_rd. I was an avid ATSF fan while growing up & before I "converted" to the UP. That doesn't mean that I lost my "passion".

BTW. TYVM Jack. I have always appreciated your candor & knowledge. Keep it coming.

Respectfully.

Paul

Not much choice but to start out on the BNSF. . . . . being the engine is in Alb.

dcfbalcoS1 Wrote:
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> Not much choice but to start out on the BNSF. . .
> . . being the engine is in Alb.

Really? Does anyone think the BNSF will let them start on their main line with an untested locomotive and untested crew? I'm pretty sure the folks there in New Mexico will be doing some "break-in runs" off that BNSF main line.

Why not use the Raton Pass line?

Now that's a thought!

4000Class Wrote:
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> Why not use the Raton Pass line?

4000Class Wrote:
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> Why not use the Raton Pass line?

I believe the BNSF has petitioned to close that line and reroute Amtrak. Big controversy over THAT going on in New Mexico. Thus, that line may just be closed when the 2926 is road worthy.

4000Class Wrote:
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> Why not use the Raton Pass line?

Does this line provide a capability that would enable the 2926 to be turned?

4000Class Wrote:
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> 4000Class Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Why not use the Raton Pass line?
>
> Does this line provide a capability that would
> enable the 2926 to be turned?


Not to my knowledge.

HotWater Wrote:
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> 4000Class Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Why not use the Raton Pass line?
>
> I believe the BNSF has petitioned to close that
> line and reroute Amtrak. Big controversy over THAT
> going on in New Mexico. Thus, that line may just
> be closed when the 2926 is road worthy.

It would be nice to know what's going with that. There's a lot of $$$ going into, not only the restoration of the 2926, but also the entire ATSF shop complex, to promote tourism, education, so on & so forth.

Seems that there's much at steak here. Hmmm. I must be getting hungry.

I thought the State of New Mexico bought the line from ABQ to the other side of Raton somewhere.

Ed

Auburn_Ed Wrote:
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> I thought the State of New Mexico bought the line
> from ABQ to the other side of Raton somewhere.
>
> Ed

I'm pretty sure I read someplace that the previous Governor of New Mexico "made a deal with BNSF" for the state to purchase that line. However, the current Governor said "no dice" and backed out of "the deal". Obviously the management of BNSF was not pleased, and now BNSF sees no reason to maintain that line for just one Amtrak train.

HotWater Wrote:
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> Auburn_Ed Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I thought the State of New Mexico bought the
> line
> > from ABQ to the other side of Raton somewhere.
> >
> > Ed
>
> I'm pretty sure I read someplace that the previous
> Governor of New Mexico "made a deal with BNSF" for
> the state to purchase that line. However, the
> current Governor said "no dice" and backed out of
> "the deal". Obviously the management of BNSF was
> not pleased, and now BNSF sees no reason to
> maintain that line for just one Amtrak train.

There is a wye at French SW of Raton. I rode the line yesterday on #3 and it was in good shape in NM. I heard but can't confirm that an Amtrak official said at AAPRCO last week that if an agreement is reached with the states for rehab of the line, BNSF would maintain it at no additional costs to the states. Sounds unlikely but maybe they want to keep it as an option.

Regarding ownership, BNSF took back ownership of the line east of Lamy only several days after the 2013 legislature passed and the governor signed a bill for a fuel tax taxbreak similar to one given to UP. Now BNSF is spending big $$ to double track the 10-mile Vaughn section.

For Rail Runner commuter use on most of it, NMDOT bought 67 miles of the old ATSF line from Belen Jct thru Abq to Lamy, south of Santa Fe.
The sale of the rest of the track to Raton fell through, remains BNSF-owned, but only sees two SWC runs a day on Class 4 CTC/ATS line with semaphore signaling between Lamy and Raton.
(They may continue if NM agrees to chip in maintenance funds as has CO and KS.)

Don't look for 2926 to run on the Transcon through Belen, nor south thru that busy yard, on BNSF's 'Horny Toad line' toward El Paso.

Abq has a wye and a still-functioning turntable at the old ATSF shops complex being re-developed.
There is a wye at Lamy that won't handle 2926. The old wye in S SFe is gone, as is the one at Las Vegas, between SFe and Raton.
So the only turnaround available is at the former York Canyon spur wye at French, just south of Raton.

From Belen to Raton is 272 miles. A 'bottle car' might be necessary.

'26 is set to run in a year or two.
Let's see what happens.



Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 10/03/14 14:13 by Abqfoamer.