New Mexico Approves Capital Outlay Funds for NMSL&RHS!
March 17, 2023
This year, for the first time, the NMSL&RHS took on the challenge of applying for New Mexico State Legislative Capital Outlay funds for performing work at the Albuquerque Rail Yards. After much work by John Roberts and Kristine Jacobus (and others) the NMSL&RHS is happy to announce that the State of New Mexico has allocated $475,000 to design, repair, and construct the turntable (and whatever else we can manage)! This may look like a lot of money, but it’s only a fraction of what we will need to reach our future goals (getting the turntable back to full operating condition alone is expected to take almost all of this)! We are working to determine how best to budget and spend these funds in accordance with the specific language as written into law in House Bill 505. These monies are anticipated to come available in the July 2023 time frame. We are currently working with the city, our fiscal agent, to understand the processes, procedures, and path forward on how to spend these state funds.
Are there plans to design and have vintage type storage and repair facilities at this location for the locomotive? A partial roundhouse would be something, to be able to house the locomotive and passenger equipment indoors.
Hello Ed,
I can tell you that we are currently working on the turntable restoration. We are working on obtaining more capital outlay during the next Leigislative Session. Our current focus is on the turntable, track, and security for the yard. Down the road, we hope to raise enough money to work on buildings.