The big announcement this week is that Union Pacific Challenger 3985 is to be RESTORED!
Union Pacific has made it clear that they are committed to their fabulous steam program managed by Ed Dickens in Cheyenne Wyoming, however, they are also committed to keeping the program “on track”, concentrating on the two steam locomotives they routinely operate, FEF3 Northern #844 and Big Boy #4014. Also the Heritage Fleet, the original Union Pacific passenger cars that run with the locomotives. But the shops in Cheyenne also house three other steam locomotives, #838, used as parts for #844, 2-10-2 #5511, a huge locomotive with 5 drive axles, and Challenger #3985. 3985 was retired in 1962 and later put on display at the Depot in Cheyenne. It operated for years as part of the Steam Program. It had been rebuilt and returned to service in 1981 by a volunteer group of UP employees. BUT it was never “restored”, and over the following decades never given the kind of back shop rebuild a steam locomotive needs to remain 100% operational. And so at some point the locomotives was pulled from service pending a complete back shop rebuild.
When the Union Pacific committed to join Spike 150 and other groups to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the driving of the Golden Spike in Utah the plans called for the Steam Program to take two steam locomotives to the event so that they could be placed nose-to-nose in celebration on the Union Pacific #119 and the Central Pacific #60, The Jupiter, being set nose-to-nose at the driving of the Golden Spike on May 10, 1869.
And so #3985 needed to be rebuilt. However, the locomotive had serious problems. The worst of which was leaking between the huge tube sections that make up the boiler tube. While none of these issues were insurmountable, they meant that the job was more than the time frame allowed, and much more expensive than simply starting with a locomotive that needed less work. Enter Big Boy 4014. 4014 was retired at about the same time as the Challenger, #3985 However, it was placed on display at the Rail Giants Museum in Pamona California. And had been lovingly cared for by the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society. They had always hoped to return the locomotive to service. After negotiations with Ed Dickens and the Union Pacific, in 2013 the locomotive was moved to Cheyenne to be totally restored. Leaving the future of #3985 in question. Until now.
3985 AND 5511 are to be taken to Silvis Illinois and the Railroading Heritage of the Midwest shops and both locomotives are to be totally restored and returned to operating condition. Also, DD40X diesel #6936, four UP passenger cars, a UP dining car, a UP Baggage car, a UP caboose, two WP business cars, and the UP business car known as the Stanford, originally the Southern Pacific Sunset. Private donations are to be used to totally restore this treasure trove of equipment and use it in excursion service.
Railroading Heritage of the Midwest
https://rrhma.com/
Union Pacific
https://www.up.com/index.htm
source
Also donated are four UP passenger cars, a UP dining car, a UP Baggage car, a UP caboose, two WP business cars, and the UP business car known as the Stanford, originally the Southern Pacific Sunset. Private donations are to be used to totally restore this treasure trove of equipment and use it in excursion service.
There is a video of UP Challenger hauling a 100 or so double stacked wagons, at high speed, around steep bends and up a hill. Unassisted.
Doing the work of 3 modern diesel electrics. Best part is was a propper revenue haul.
These massive locamotives need to be put to work, best way to preserve a machine is to use it as designed.
thats not good news at all …. my hope to see a 844 3985 and 4014 triple head is dead
it will be the worst things if those morons from Silvis get the loco .. she will never been seen again
I was hoping to eventually see a triple header, and gave up on that idea… Until now.
Just as exciting is that I get to live with the knowledge that 3985 will be only 2 hours from me.
When you get to Illinois, stop at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union Illinois. They have a UP turbine on display there, and also a running E-5 mated to the Zephyr.
I can't wait until 3985 is going to run again!
I just happened to find this, praise be. This is wonderful news. I was hoping beyond hope that the Challenger would be restored. But after not hearing anything for so long I rather gave up thinking that wouldn't happen. Again so happy to hear this news thank you. Your videos are enjoyable and you love the same things that I love. Thank you again
Imagine this: UP 4014, 3985, 5511, 844 and the DD40X Quintuple Heading, that would be amazing, yet I don't think it would happen. (which is too bad.)
Now only if the Yellowstone was going to be repaired
Let's hope we can see the Big Boy, Challenger, and 844 in one giant excursion! The Big Three!
As someone who lives in the suburbs of chicago i highly recommend you do NOT go to chicago. It’s far more dangerous now. Silvis is about 3 hours west of chicago so you’re away from the trash from chicago but you’re not too far away from rockford unfortunately. Can’t wait to leave illinois for good. Great news to hear about 3985, 5511, and 6936 though.
I agree but for manly I want to see bigboy and his little brother rolling but I dint really see that happening
Absolutely adore and appreciate every and all of your videos. Thank you.
There's a lot of steam locomotive restoration goin on right now. Reading 2102 was just completed in April and is running perfectly.
I wish they still did tours! We just went to the model railroad show in Cheyenne and we were informed that you can't even go near the roundhouse or anything. It's fenced off.
Can't wait to see all the equipment being used again will definitely be following the progress
Imagine a gathering with 261, 3985 and 5511.
Ever heard of Ed Gerliz?
That is good news. I never believed they would restore a 4000 with the Challenger available.
the Big Boy can easily pull the loco and train w/odisel. Is diuesel for PTC?
I would love to see Big Boy 4014, Challenger 3985, Living Legend 844, and Centennial 6936 doing a quadruple header. I am glad that Challenger 3985 will be restored to working order. It would be great if Big Boy 4014 and Challenger 3985 double head an excursion train. Good luck to Challenger 3985.
Can you do a video of n and w 611 she is currently at Strasburg I think in pieces
Love both locomotives the big boy and the Challenger they're both sisters and should be together there is nothing in this world like a steam locomotive they have a personality all their own I love these big iron horse's just hearing there lonesome mournful sound as the whistle blows puts a tear in my eye because these great iron horses are part of what made this country great and still do the job as they were born to do there will be never a machine that is not really a machine that has so much personality and spirit like the iron horse 🐎.
I would rather see history alive and burning bright than see it on display dead and unmoving and unliving.
I would love to see both sisters the Challenger and big boy double heading together because that is exactly what they are sisters and never really should be separated from each other. May the fiery heart and spirit of these iron horses live on together. 🐎🐎🐎
I don't know if it is still around but there is an engine the runs with 3 cylinders built for pulling hills ( one center, two outside) It has a different sound and an interesting looking engine.
Looks as though these steam locomotives will be making a big comeback with diesel powered locomotives eventually having diesel fuel supply shortages.Great video!!!
Aww 6936 is my favorite locomotive. Wish UP would run that bad boy on normal freight.
As the Union Pacific needing a 3 engine. They should buy the up 9000.
I never thought I would live long enough to see a Big Boy back under steam. What a BEAST!
Not even google can tell the difference between the Big boy and challenger locomotives