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we need your help to get the rock island Marie Janie to abq to run behind 2926

jonathan cordova
Oct 28, 20232 min read

Updated: Sep 26, 2024




My name is Jonathan F Cordova, and I'm raising money to move the rock island marie jane, to Albuquerque, New Mexico. The money raised will go to cover the costs of transportation and restoration, ensuring that this vintage railcar can be enjoyed by future generations.

Extreme Railfan Redwood Empire Corp was started in 2022 with one goal: to save Santa Fe passenger railcars to run behind 2926 and other events. One of the founders is Jonathan Cordova, who is part of 2926 and celebrated their two-year anniversary on June 24, 2022.

Attention all rail enthusiasts and friends who love unique projects! The Extreme Railfan Redwood Empire Corp, a dedicated group of railroad fans and professionals, has launched a GoFundMe to bring the historic Pine Grove passenger car to Albuquerque, NM. Their mission is not just to restore this piece of railroad history, but to make it a moving museum piece that can visit railroads across the country, starting with the 2926 during railroad days.

Every donation, no matter how small, will help us get closer to acquiring and restoring the Pine Grove. This vintage railcar is a piece of railroad history that we want to preserve for future generations. It's not just about meeting our financial goals; it's also about preserving history and sharing our passion for railroads with as many people as possible. Your support could make a significant difference in covering the costs of transportation and restoration, making this ambitious project a reality.

Please consider donating and sharing this cause with your networks. Your support could make a significant difference in covering the costs of transportation and restoration, making this ambitious project a reality. Let’s help get the rock island on the track to its new home and into the hearts of rail fans everywhere!

This is our team, the Extreme Railfan Redwood Empire Corp. Jonathan Cordova is the CEO and owner. Other members include CJ Petes, who is a partner and fund contributor; Nicholas Webster, who is on the board; and the admin team for the Santa Fe group. Dean Flores is the admin and logo designer; Mathew Casford is the admin and 2926 chief engineer; Alex Gillman is the VP of 3751 and admin; Matthew Lapp is the promoter; and Transcontinental Railroad Productions is the promoter and updater. Yard Limit Productions is the railroad photography and documentary video producer. Johann Sebastian is on the board; and Maxwell Romero is the Extreme Railfan Redwood Empire Corp.

Extreme Railfan Redwood Empire Corp is running a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to purchase and run the rock island maire Janie is a historic train car that we want to preserve for future generations. We plan to exhibit it at various railroads across the country, starting with the 2926 during railroad days.

My team wants to buy the rock island marie so we can visit it at various railroads across the country. We also plan to run it behind Sky Railway for the Sunset Serenade.

Extreme Railfan Redwood Empire Corp is the owner of the rock island once it is purchased. We plan to exhibit it at various railroads across the country, starting with the 2926 during railroad days.

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Alexa Young, CA

Barbara and I were part owners of the Private Car Tamalpais for over 20 years.  It was our flanged wheel Winnebago that took us on trips all over the U.S. and Canada.  Barbara loved not having to cook and having somebody else to make the beds.  Our son Andy loved going through tunnels.  And most importantly it was a great venue for spending time with good friends.

The Tam was built by Pullman about 1923 and was formerly ATSF 33.  It was sold by the ATSF and had several private owners including Atlantic Richfield Corporation. Our group purchased the car "on the court house steps" after Southern Pacific had forclosed on the previous owner for non-payment of storage charges.     A few modications had been made to the car over the years, but overall it retained much of its original 1933 ambience.

While a private railway car is an expensive luxury (a black hole into which you throw money), we shared ownership with a group of like-minded people and chartered the car to earn money.  Some folks contributed money, others contributed hard work maintaining our 50-year old antique.  One day we might be enjoyed prime rib on fine china served by a white jacketed waiter, the next we might be under the car covered with grease trying to fix the most recent old vebelfetzer to break.  By sharing costs, running it as a business, and most importantly making it a labor of love, the cost was not unreasonable for what we got in return.  Our friends who rode with us certainly loved it.

But eventually our group ran out of steam, and we sold the Tam.  We miss it.  But it went to a new owner who invested a lot of money in needed repairs and improvements.  Today it still plys the rails, painted Pullman green, and renamed "Redwood Empire".

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