[aslyfox]

See a giant steam locomotive train move itself for the first time in over 65 years

. . . The Santa Fe 2926 was sitting in a park in Albuquerque in 1999 when the New Mexico Steam Locomotive & Railroad Historical Society bought it for a token $1 payment and began a restoration project lasting more than two decades. On Saturday, the mighty locomotive moved itself down the tracks under its own steam power for the first time in many long years.

The 2926 is one of the largest passenger engines ever built. It runs on oil instead of coal and was made by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1944 for the Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway. . . .

For now, the 2926 is a bit of a caged animal, restricted to 300 feet (91 meters) of track where the restoration crews have been working on it. The volunteers hope to see it set free one day, running the rails in the southwest, pulling passengers through scenic deserts and mountains... but that will require writing yet another new chapter in the train's history.

See a giant steam locomotive train move itself for the first time in over 65 years

[PJ1]

Great story. There is something very appealing about big old steam engines. I guess they are pretty fundamental to industrialised society.

[jhaji]

Outstanding.