"10 AM, March 18, 2020: The long anticipated Steam Up and Move, planned for March 20th, 2020, has been delayed. Our plans have been derailed by the perfect storm: INSURANCE, TOOL CAR, and COVID-19 fears. Last minute delays in getting insurance coverage have combined with the any-day-now delivery of the NMSX 3939 tool car forced delay of the Steam Up and Move. Our prior insurance only covers static steam ups. Without a new (and more expensive) liability insurance policy in effect we can't move 2926 under power. The tool car is moving from Clovis to Belen on March 18. The date and time of a subsequent move to Albuquerque is unknown. It would be unwise to be steamed up for testing our locomotive at the same time that the BNSF arrives to pull out the 2926 and switch in the tool car in front (to the west) of the 2926. As you know, public events with crowds are being curtailed and forbidden by various government agencies at National, State and local levels. These restrictions to modify the COVID-19 pandemic might not affect the 2926 plans but have worried many of our friends and NMSL&RHS members. Please keep watching this website for information about a rescheduled Steam Up and Move. When we have 2926 working well under steam a public event will be scheduled.

Mike Hartshorne
President, NMSL&RHS"