Steam & Excursion > ATSF #2926 steam group to receive GE Dash 8 diesel

Through a partnership with the owner of a GE Dash-8-40BW locomotive, the 2926 group will have use of the engine as the protect locomotive as the group moves forward with more extensive engine testing. The locomotive has received mechanical work and is being painted with the traditional Santa Fe warbonnet logo. The engine is ex-BNSF 534 and will carry the nomenclature BUGX 534. BUGX is the reporting mark for Dieselmotive Company, Inc of Turlock, California. The latest NM Heritage Rail newsletter details this story together with photos of how the engine will appear upon completion of painting. Their newsletter can be found at the below location; click on the July link for the current edition:
https://2926.us/newsletter



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/03/26 17:23 by Cumbresfan.

cool maybe we can get it together with IRM's too, or an FP or two! with the 2026 northbound !



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/03/26 16:37 by dan.

One of that steam group's challenges is the implementation of standalone PTC.  If a PTC-equipped diesel is still required (as controlled in the 2926 cab), can this Dash 8 unit be equipped to fill that need?

Thanks for any info!
Oliver Barrett

think they have PTC  already, others have stated

If i remember correctly, 4014's early PTC was by
 sharing thru cables, 4015's PTC components.

Mike6640-2 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If i remember correctly, 4014's early PTC was by
>  sharing thru cables, 4015's PTC components.

The 4014 now is equipped with stand-alone PTC. Thus, it no longer requires a diesel for PTC assistance.

and 4015 is now 1616

Thanks for the responses.  I was referring to the effort to install standalone PTC on the 2926 locomotive.

Oliver Barrett

asking a/i   ---             Yes, the Santa Fe 2926 is equipped with a Positive Train Control (PTC) system . It uses a system called LeaPTC, making it one of the first steam locomotives in the United States to have a PTC-compliant systemBecause LeaPTC relies on computers and equipment in a trailing diesel unit , there are a few nuances to its operation: [1, 2]

• =16pxThe Trailing Unit Rule: To fully utilize PTC on a mainline (such as over BNSF tracks), a PTC-equipped trailing diesel is required . [1]
• =16pxCurrent Operations: The locomotive recently secured an agreement to operate non-revenue "deadhead" moves over a 40-mile range along the New Mexico mainline trackage. For these specific 40-mile operations (from Bernalillo to Los Lunas), PTC is currently not strictly required by the local agreement. [1, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BntlebKGkrg&t=122, 3]
• =16pxPublic Excursions: For full public excursion runs at higher speeds, the society is fundraising for additional PTC and operational infrastructure upgrades

https://railfan.com/santa-fe-2926-gets-positive-train-control/

But.... the owners say it restricted to 49mph because it does not have   PTC  says the  group , so i guess it does not have stand alone PTC or at all, or the version that is needed today

Helpful info, I had heard of their fundraising efforts.  Given that unit's age, It will be interesting to see whether they have any plans to equip their newly acquired diesel with LeaPTC.

Oliver Barrett
dan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> asking a/i   ---             Yes, the
> Santa Fe 2926 is equipped with a Positive Train
> Control (PTC) system . It uses a system called
> LeaPTC, making it one of the first steam
> locomotives in the United States to have a
> PTC-compliant systemBecause LeaPTC relies on
> computers and equipment in a trailing diesel unit
> , there are a few nuances to its operation: [1,
> 2]
>
>

• =16pxThe Trailing Unit Rule: To fully utilize
  > PTC on a mainline (such as over BNSF tracks), a
  > PTC-equipped trailing diesel is required . [1]
  >
• =16pxCurrent Operations: The locomotive
  > recently secured an agreement to operate
  > non-revenue "deadhead" moves over a 40-mile range
  > along the New Mexico mainline trackage. For these
  > specific 40-mile operations (from Bernalillo to
  > Los Lunas), PTC is currently not strictly required
  > by the local agreement. [1, 2, 3]
  >
• =16pxPublic Excursions: For full public
  > excursion runs at higher speeds, the society is
  > fundraising for additional PTC and operational
  > infrastructure upgrades
  >
  >
  >
  > https://railfan.com/santa-fe-2926-gets-positive-tr
  > ain-control/
  >
  > But.... the owners say it restricted to 49mph
  > because it does not have   PTC  says the 
  > group , so i guess it does not have stand alone
  > PTC or at all, or the version that is needed
  > today

well i think they are moving towards a stand alone operation to be more versatile, just like Ed did with the 4014.   Get the diesel ready for service and see where they are at with all the other work they are doing, such as their passenger cars and moving to the roundhouse?  PTC for a diesel may run 60- 100,000?  hope i am wrong about that

Thank you for the interest and the discussion.

To clarify a few points, BUGX 534 is being added to the New Mexico Heritage Rail fleet primarily as a protection locomotive and for general railroad operations. It provides reliable diesel power for switching, rescue capability, ferry moves, and future excursion support while complementing our steam program.

As for PTC, New Mexico Heritage Rail has already made a substantial investment in the system. Most of the required components have been purchased, and installation is currently underway. Our long-term goal is a fully standalone PTC-equipped ATSF 2926, and we're making steady progress toward that objective.

For our current non-revenue test and positioning moves, we operate under the terms of our agreement with the host railroad, which includes specific operating restrictions and procedures appropriate for those movements.

The future is looking very bright for New Mexico Heritage Rail. With our ongoing infrastructure improvements at the Albuquerque South Rail Yards, the addition of BUGX 534, continued progress on our passenger equipment, and advancement of the 2926 PTC project, we're building the foundation for a sustainable mainline steam program for years to come.

— Mathew Casford
President & Chief of Rail Operations
New Mexico Heritage Rail
CRO@nmheritagerail.com
(714) 296-6338

Posted from Android

Well that's certainly more informative than an AI response. Thank you for taking the time to answer.

Posted from Android



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/05/26 08:18 by ShortlinesUSA.