HOUSE MEMORIAL 100

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2016

INTRODUCED BY

Don L. Tripp

A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING THE SANTA FE 2926 STEAM LOCOMOTIVE AS NEW MEXICO'S STEAM LOCOMOTIVE AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RAILROADS' CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL GROWTH AND STATURE OF NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, the Santa Fe 2926 is a former Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railway steam locomotive originally built in 1944 by Baldwin locomotive works for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railway; and

     WHEREAS, beginning in 1944, the Santa Fe 2926 logged more than one million miles, many on New Mexico rails, at the head of iconic high-speed passenger and freight trains; and

     WHEREAS, in 1956, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railway donated the Santa Fe 2926 to the city of Albuquerque in recognition of the city's two-hundred-fiftieth anniversary, where it was placed in a city park; and

     WHEREAS, in 1999, the Santa Fe 2926 was purchased by the New Mexico steam locomotive and railroad historical society and rescued from its deteriorating state; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico steam locomotive and railroad historical society purchased the Santa Fe 2926 with the intention of accurately and safely returning the Santa Fe 2926 to full steam and to once again have the locomotive run on New Mexico rails; and

     WHEREAS, in May 2002, the Santa Fe 2926 was moved to its current location near the intersection of eighth street and Haines avenue in Albuquerque, where it is undergoing restoration; and

     WHEREAS, on October 1, 2007, the Santa Fe 2926 was listed in the national register of historic places and was featured as part of the New Mexico true state tourism campaign; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico steam locomotive and railroad historical society has almost two million dollars ($2,000,000) and over one hundred thirty-one thousand volunteer hours invested in the restoration of the Santa Fe 2926; and

     WHEREAS, once restored, the Santa Fe 2926 will create a new and significant tourist attraction;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the Santa Fe 2926 steam locomotive be recognized as a representation of all railroads' past, present and future contributions to the economic and cultural growth and stature of New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Santa Fe 2926 be recognized as New Mexico's steam locomotive; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the president of the New Mexico steam locomotive and railroad historical society.

- 3 -