The age of steam

If you are under the age of about 60 years, you are unlikely to have experienced the sound, smell, and feel of a steam locomotive pulling a heavy train past you while you were standing trackside or waiting in your car for the crossing gates to go up. Pretty much after 1960, railroads used diesel locomotives and steam was relegated to so-called preserved locomotives. Some steam locos went to operating museums and other organizations that ran them. So, though the opportunity was less, many of you probably saw steam locomotives running at some time in your life. If you have, then you were probably hooked. But, I'd estimate that only about seven people out of a hundred people alive today in the U.S. have seen an operational and running steam locomotive.

This month, May 2019, two notable steam locomotives are in the news. Here in New Mexico, the New Mexico Steam Locomotive and Railroad Historical Society's Santa Fe Northern 2926 will have its 75th birthday party on May 18. The restoration, 20 years in the making, is almost complete, and the locomotive has been in steam. It is mostly finished and the society is looking for donations to get a tool car ready for a train trip, perhaps sometime this year. 2926 was pulled from a city park back in 1999, was a total mess, and will, for some, be a lifelong dream realized.

Up north of us (out west for many of you), Union Pacific, with better funding and resources, because UP still has at least one steam locomotive that was never taken off active duty, has done itself proud. The restoration of Big Boy 4014 was completed in time for the 150th anniversary of the driving of the golden spike at Promontory, and has been out on the rails for the past week. It's an impressive sight. One you shouldn't miss, even if it's only on YouTube. Click the links.

©2019 - C. A. Turek - mistertrains@gmail.com