The Union Pacific Challenger 3985 to be Restored!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- 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
rrhma.com/
Union Pacific
www.up.com/ind...
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.
Man this is going to be amazing! We will have a brand new T1, a restored challenger, a bigboy, and a restored fleet of passenger cars. All we need now is the cab forward and the Norfold and Western Y6b restored!
@@hamiltonsullivan6563 the cab forward is the trick. As far as I know only one survivor. In the California Railroad Museum.
The Y6B may well happen. A great one at he Illinois Railway Museum.
@@ToyManTelevision I really hope so!
@@ToyManTelevision Yup the cab forward 4294 is the lone survivor every other one was scrapped
It’s going to be great to see Union Pacific Challenger 3985 and 2-10-2 5511 back in service.
or the class 9000
@@BDN355 the 9000 will never return to service. The three cylinders would be a pain in the ass to work on, and UP is not willing to have three active steamers on the roster, when 4014 was returned to service, 3985 was retired, if the 9000 was returned to service, the 844 would probably have to be retired from the active roster then, and UP will never allow that to happen.
It’s time to rebuild a Turbine and the Saturn 5 rocket while there at it
@@BDN355 This is the second or third coolest Steam-loco ever built (The UP 9000-class)
@@nikerailfanningttm9046 or 4014 if the time ever comes.
My dream is to see a challenger, big boy, and dd40x triple heading a train. Even a dd40x, and a big boy double heading would be amazing.
That would be amazing. I wonder why Union Pacific never had the DD40x doublehead with Big Boy. I guess they didn't want to have an old diesel backing up an old steamer? In that case, they could still just tack the new diesel in the consist as "back up" engine and dynamic braking, right?
@Train fan1995 that is a blessed image.
@Train fan1955 if they do that they better come down south
Alr let's get this out of the way,UP wants it to be as accurate is it will be seeing a centinela triple head would be way to much torque to pull a 12 car steam excursion.
I love 3985, but I’m really excited about 5511. It has never been worked on outside of some paint and has been indoors since it was retired. Most people don’t even know it’s there. But to see a 2-10-2 moving again will be impressive.
Indeed. And really not much wrong with it. HOWEVER the days of just getting a locomotive running may be gone. I’m betting they do a full restoration. I hope so.
GrantDolanMusic..... The 5511 will Never be seen on any Mainline trackage. It's a drag engine built for heavy freight (as they were, back in the 1920's & 30's), and with its "short" drivers, it only has a top speed of about 45 mph+/-.... too slow for today's mainline Class 1's.
@@Romans--bo7br true, but I don’t care about having it travel all over the place. They just need to find a shortish really straight part of track by their shops and I’ll be happy. Main line or not, just seeing it under its own power will be something worth seeing.
@@GrantDolanMusic... True! I was only meaning that it most likely will never be seen on mainline class 1 rails with an excursion train. However.. all things considered, it's all pretty much conjecture on "our part" anyway.... out here in internet land.
All things considered in reality of today's world and knowing what's coming.... I'm not holding my breath for anything like this project to materialize, much beyond this moment in time.
Prepare for the worst and hope for the best as the saying goes..... and most folks on this planet, are Far from prepared for what's coming.
Thanks for your reply, and I sincerely hope that you will get to see the 5511 as well as the 3985 under steam, once again.... but that hope needs to be held with an "open palm".
Stay safe.
They’ll probably run the 5511 on the IAIS tracks. The QJ 6988 ran Silvis to Bureau Jct and back with no issues. Since that’s also a 2-10-2 that is only slightly smaller than 5511 I believe. It probably won’t see the UP mainline though
Great to hear 3985 and 5511 will be running again. The problems with 5511 10 drivers is I believe called dynamic augment. It exudes extra force on curved track to throw it out of alignment. I have that problem on my model railroad when I run 10 and 12 drivered steam engines on tight curves. Therefore I let those engines sit in the engine facilities a lot. I usually run articulateds. Thanks for the good news 😁👍!
if i were you i would possibly just run them on the less tighter curves or just use 4 drivered, 6 drivered and 8 drivered locomotives or do what you said and use articulateds
Great video!!! I love and admire Challenger, too. Not just "Big Boy". I'm so happy to hear #3985 is going to be completely rebuilt. But, it still breaks my heart to know that at one time there were 105 Challengers, mostly run by Union Pacific. 💔 Now, they're all gone except for two UP Challengers. I can't wait to see #3985 after her restoration is completed. 🤗 l hope the other Challenger is being cared for. Perhaps, someday she will also be restored. And, someday I hope I'll get to see these massive steam engines in person...including "Big Boy"! Once again, great video, I truly enjoyed it!!! 👍😉
Hi. Well I assume you will get that chance! It will be a great day. A great time. Chicago is a bit far for us. But we will be back there. Often!
I really look forward to seeing 5511 in operation again, considering she's the sole surviving locomotive of her class
and with the unique Young valve gear.
The thought of possibly being able to see these 4 big locomotives side by side after all these years is just mind-blowing.
This sure was an unexpected but pleasant surprise when this announcement came down. It will be glorious to have Big Boy and Challenger running around the country at the same time, and maybe even together once in a while, too!
1511 running will be nice too. That's a really big engine in its own right.
I am surprised they got rid of the DD40x though! It's too bad they never had that engine doublehead with Big Boy! The world's largest steamer and the world's largest diesel! Maybe they didn't want to use an old diesel as back up for an old steamer?
The engines were full of asbestos?! Gah, I had no idea!
Life keeps changing. Yes, long, long before the big war and for a long time after, good ol' asbestos was in anything and everything that required some form of heat resistance. Sometimes it made sense, wrapping steam pipes in homes and businesses, and other times, well, 'floor tiles in submarines'? I was apartment hunting in the early 2000s and many places I looked at and walked away from still had the exposed steam piping wrapped in asbestos.
I’ve only seen 4014 once, 3985 a few times and 844 a few times. Honestly as crazy as this sounds, I’m a 844 fan boy through and through. She’s got the looks that kill, that’s just me.
She’s the flagship. Always was. Always will be.
If there are worries about supply chain capacity on the tracks, they should let people enjoy seeing UP steam, but just them out on a schedule with revenue freight instead of their passenger cars consist. They used to send 3985 out on freight trains. We just want to out and see the steam. We don’t need a fancy consist.
While the scheduling problems are real, I think the optics of running steam excursions while billions of dollars worth of goods sit in the port isn’t something the UP wants people talking about.
Once they were on a excursion and came up on a stalled freight they pushed it over the mountain then came back light and collected the excursion set and went on their merry way
Steam engine logistics are a large part of the planning for these trips. There are no roundhouses any more or water tanks. Everything a steam engine needs has to be planned ahead and positioned. Therefore it is now too expensive to make freight service viable.
@@jhonsiders6077 That was 844. It's the one that pushed the stalled freight.
@@devilsatan2973 Ok I was not sure I remember the story from a excursion i took back in 08 .
I recorded one of the UP steam crew saying “I’m lucky to be alive” when 4014 was in St.Paul in summer 2019. He said that 3985 had major problems during the 2010 tour.
He was lucky. Do you remember his name? Think I know…. But yes 3985 was.. well dangerous back then.
@@ToyManTelevision
It definitely wasn’t Ed. He joined the steam program in 2010. It’s in my video when it was on display in St.Paul which I believe has a thumbnail of 4014 from the front right. You really really have to listen hard to catch his words.
@@ToyManTelevision How was 3985 "dangerous"?
@@joeruiz4010 it was dangerous to run 3985 in 2010 because she had no major rebuilds after her restoration in 1981. The rebuilds she did have were botch jobs done by volunteers. Basically, she never got the major rebuild she needed when Steve Lee was the manager of Union Pacific's Heritage Operations (no disrespect to him), and when Ed Dickens replaced him in 2010, he found out it would be more costly to rebuild 3985 than restore Big Boy 4014. It was dangerous to run 3985 because it was like running a steam locomotive that has been sitting in a park for 30 years.
@@regularguy7266 Thank you. I also read more into it. Apparently, restoring 3977 would be a tad cheaper than 3985 even. That tells you something.
Great relics of an era gone by. Do hope and pray you are able to tour the rebuild. Shouldn’t be an issue but there is always someone that wants to steal the fun. As for me I love the Cab Forwards and was glad I took the time to see the one at the California Railroad Museum.
Hi looks good that we will be able to see this. Fingers crossed.
Another reason that 4014 was restored was the incredible condition it was in relative to pretty much any other Big Boy. I was asked to help evaluate 4014 while at Pomona, Ca. for restoration by the Rail Empire Museum (to running condition). AQMD stepped in and put the kibosh on the project (they don't want anything burning coal in California). Thats why the museum let it go with the condition it was restored to running condition.
It seemed hope was lost on restoring 3985. Thanks to that new volunteer group there is hope on getting 3985 back to steam. How exciting! UP should hold and event seeing all 3 locomotives 844, 4014, and 3985 on display under steam. That would be a true highlight on the future of Cheyenne Depot days if it returns.
I think any meeting will be in Chicago. But I’m betting it happens!!!
I passed through Cheyanne in 1972, on my way home from visiting Yellowstone National Park (an unforgettable journey by itself).
At that time you had to exit the interstate highway and go through down town Cheyanne. I had to pass the UP facilities in the process. I had a huge surprise when I passed the display locomotive right there by the station. I had never actually seen a locomotive that big before, the largest being the NYC Niagara's. I may be wrong , but the display locomotive may have been 3985, the loco was a Challenger.
That bit of video with 4014 and 844 running through the canyon has to be one of the most beautiful pieces of "rail fan" video I've ever seen, with 4014 wrapped in a cloud of steam vapor. ;-)
Yup. It was 3985.
I'm ready to see 3985 in action again, it's gonna be a while, though, I'm guessing 5 to 6 years, it's been great watching WMSR 1309 and Reading 2102 pulling trains again as well.
Make sure you make a visit to Carson City, Nevada this 4th of July weekend. There's gonna be a festival with a dozen working steam locomotives! Many of which are narrow gauge! And it'll feature the V&T #11 Reno!
Wow really?! That's even way more than the Gathering of Victorian Locomotives! I wish I could make it out there myself!
What a shocker! What a play from left field! I find it a genuine miracle, from the retirement home of history it looked like it was done and now they surprise us! Welcome back 3985! The True Queen of Steam! Also pretty sweet deal, the Railroad Heritage of Midwest America restores 3985 but UP gets it back after the work if they wish to pay later for it.
And what a twist as well to bring back 5511! That is an engine I am curious to see revived, and the fact they donated Centennial No. 6936 too?? American Railroading is giving us a real treat, with more steamers to be revived it is like a dream come true.
Always a wonderful way to start a Sunday with this loving and inspirational couple. The music and drone shots were very good.
Thanks. And fun memories for us.
Who can raise your hand and tell me if you are excited about 3985 coming back and tell Me why? I'm so excited because she just deserves it. What do you say?
Fond memories. Magnificent locomotive.
RRHMA does plan to open the shops in the future as a museum (at least according to their website) but not yet. They're still sharing the building with NRE (a diesel locomotive rebuilder) and there's a lot of work to be done to get the shops in Silivis ready for the public. But it will be a museum type place in the future
Thanks. Yes they have great plans. Let’s hope! But they are raising money and it looks like they will be able to pull all of this off.
No they'll just open up for Open Houses
Last I looked they also had a set CNW F-units. That would be cool to see out again too. 3985 is still a huge priority! Want to see a double or triple header.
Don’t know about any F units. Unless they are in Omaha. They have around 50 passenger cars there but about 10 of those are being given to Silvis. They have 2 EA units and a working EB unit in Cheyenne. And a EB shell. But the shell is also going to Silvis. However the ABA lash up is really super impressive.
Just think of the challenger was ever paired with the Big Boy, that would definitely be an epic sight in today’s time!!!
If we could get a triple heard with 4014, 3985, and 844 that would be awesome
Love the steam engines. When I was a small child I remember living in a small town that had four railroads. (Seymore, Indiana) I can remember being woken in the middle of the night by the sound of the steam whistles.
When those old engines make a tour, they need a caboose on the end of the train just for nostalgia/authentication purposes.
I miss the cabooses.
Hahaha, yes to the caboose.
I really like the music you put with the video 🇺🇸🇺🇸👍👍
What a wonderful story! I am so happy to see all these classics, including the DDA40X class get a new life! I remember as a kid that huge diesel coming online and becoming a popular HO scale model. My friend had one (I was envious) but it way to long to go around his tight radius layout. Years later I finally saw one up at the Western Pacific RR Museum in Portola, CA.
I saw them every day. Sometimes several together. Always impressive. I never took that for granted.
Thanks for laying out the facts again which I often forget. We are restoring the 2926 northern 4.8.4 and will operate on May 21 on our property and would love to see you then. We see Amazing Ed from time to time.
We have really wanted to get down there. Not hot this time of year too. Boy would it be fun. Now if gas wasn’t $5…
So what are your plans? Is there a link to the event? How much track do you have to operate on? Really love to get down there.
Ex railroader, MILW, and a huge fan of interesting equipment with flanges. If you're truly open to the public, just tell me the "When, Where, and What's" of the event. I'll be there, camera in hand! Thanks!
7:16 illegal weld and wrong angle iron that will need to be cut off and the correct decking iron installed here.
3985 and 5511 both sleeping giants will soon awaken and im sure 5511 will have some kind of work that can be easy for it
When I was a teenager I had to buy expensive magazines to learn about the trains and train news. Now you are my eyes in the other side of the ocean!
I never dreamt to see a Big Boy running again. A Big Boy and a Challenger running again will be simply...e s p e c t a c u l a r !
I am happy to see 3985 live again and maybe 3985 and 4014 and 844 triple head that will be awesome to see that maybe one day and maybe one we get to see all three opperating together one last time like they where back in the 40s
You guys are so cool to watch, and I have a request for you. If you have any plans to focus on trestle wood bridges, it would make me so happy as I rely on your channel for all railroad models needs for inspiration. Hail from England. B
Thanks. And thanks for watching. Much more coming.
Where did you hear that Big Boy was going to meet with 4449? That would be very cool if true
Oh yeah at 0:16 is that really going to happen!?
Well it was planned. But I’m betting it still happens at some point. Dang. Almost happened
Your next video should be on the 261, Steve has done a great job with the locomotive.
Also to mention that 3985 is very worn out, that’s also the reason 4014 is chosen.
@@DillonTrinhProductions.... Brilliant!... considering that, That was exactly his focus in the video of why they chose the 4014.
7:05 Alex already corrected this Flue Sheet is warped and the pipes have burst because they contain the wrong material.
I hope they at least post videos of the restoration of 3985 and 5511!
7:34 and Alex should have listen see that? ASBESTOS! it needs to be removed and disposed of.
Awesome, I'm glad that they aren't stopping with the Big Boy. We can always use more history on the rails.
What an interesting video, well done you two. Amazing history lesson. You guys Rock 👍😎
Thanks again as always
Great video love the little history lesson you guys always have fantastic videos. Thanks for sharing have a great weekend.
You too! A great weekend. Thanks as always for watching
Will you both see PRR T1 #5550? It will be America's only operating duplex drive locomotive when it gets finished.
Wish we could see how many cars it's pulling.
Wonderful news, it felt like yesterday that UP deemed 3985 retired and unlikely to operate in the distant future. Also super cool to see 5511 getting restored
I hope soon UP 9000 class will also be restored
6:32 Exhibit A sand tanks are not secure and they are leaking and since there is no bondo here it caused the boiler to rust.
6:56 and the previous slide mud ring damage near the door sheet and it is leaking note the cracks.
Many fans of the UP challengers wished a 3800 class one were saved but none of them survived the scrap yards. They were very nice engines
Sad how many steam locomotives were lost. About 2,000 survivors. And about 10 to 20% either run or will run.
@@ToyManTelevision also too for the 3985 some say the coal tender for the big boy 4014 will be donated as well with the 3985 and it will be converted from coal to oil
Yeah I'd love to see the challenger run on coal but it's never going to happen. The eco mentalists won't let it. Shame
I am really looking forward to 4014 AND 3985 back up and riding the rails!!!!!
Thing is the Silvis shops was never used to restore heritage equipment. Originally it was the yard for the National Railway Equipment Company. They had tons and I mean tons of locomotives there. The NRE closed the shops in 2018 and my friends and I didn’t know what was going to happen to it until now. I first visited the shops in 2020 and there were several Locomotives there that will be transported out of the yard eventually and some already have left the yard as of 2021.
3985 it’s gonna look amazing when it’s restored plus it’ll look great alongside the 261 when it arrives in silvys heck he could maybe double head with it if possible or even better this engine might meet up with 4449 one day just like 844 did a long time ago with a double head event.
6:39 Exhibit B this is a staybolt hole Ed removed that and it is in the evidence for #844
i have never been so happy to hear that UP 3985 and 5511 and then they have the centennial going to be used by a society that will use them im so excited and cant wait
It is great news to hear that UP 3985 will be receiving care & maintenance in the future by a new locomotive preservation organization.
Yes!!! Although I Am A British Railway Enthusiast, It Is Amazing News about The Challenger 3985 Being Restored. It Is An Amazing Locomotive And Would Be Legendary In a Double Header With 4014.
If you make it all the way to Silvis, then you must stop by the Illinois Railway Museum...
Thank you for such an outstanding video! I was delighted when I saw a notice from UP that the Challenger was going to be restored.
Really nice video! What music are you using? - the "Epic Way Out West" style theme with the featured trumpet. Sounds like something from Disney's California Adventure "Soaring..." ride attraction music. Clicked on your music link in the description for Whispering Waters but that sure isn't it!
That one is Americana by Richard Band.
@@ToyManTelevision Great stuff, thanks!
The engine i grew up with is getting a second shot!
I believe that 4014 is using 3985s tender, will they get it from Union Pacific, causing the UP to convert the 4014 original tender to have an oil bunker, Or what’s the situation with that?
I think 3985 will get the 4014 tender. But we will see!
The short bit of music at 0:59 is "Americana
by Richard Band"
Damn. I just purchased a HO Scale Challenger 3967 on eBay the day before this video came out. Would have been nice to have been the 3985. Always wanted one since I was a kid.
Nice video, but I don’t think that some of this works quite as described. I seriously doubt that they would double head two locomotives that large, especially given the cost of repairs if something went wrong. Speaking of which, not needing another steamer is probably not the only reason UP did not restore 3985. Do you have any idea how much it cost? I have it from Ed himself that one break on 4014 cost $4000.
I am from UK. I follow usa steam locos. Would love to see 4014 in person. Also glad to see the challenger will be re built and also the other loco. Hate them stuck in sheds and static. Great channel you have and narration
Great video. So Glad the 3985 will be back. I know it rode rough when my Grandfather ran it for Cheyenne frontier days.
Bad boiler issues. Dangerous.
Love This Video! Sweeping Shots, And Epic Music. Videos Like These Remind Me Of The Railroad/Train Programs That Used To Be On PBS All The Time. Why I Am Obsessed Trains/Railroads, Is Because Of Videos Like These, PBS, And Contributions From Viewers Like You! Thank You! 😉😁🚂🌈📚
I miss the PBS shows too! Got to
Make two of them. Now it’s British comedy and who done its. And house redoing. And cooking. Sigh.
I knew that the a Challenger would be restored back to service somehow. I never thought that UP would donate it, but I suppose it makes sense. I'm sure that once it's back in running order they will work with the Union Pacific to have an excursion along side the Big Boy. They would be stupid not too!
Well done & well told. 👍 • Cheers from the Detroit & Mackinac Railway 🚂 🇺🇸 🇺🇦
I took a ride behind 3985 in 2001, Denver to Cheyenne. What a powerful beast that is. Would love to see it back on the rails again.
Fantastic video!
Thanks!
Thomas in Park City
Thanks for watching!!!!!!
I'm planning to meet big boy in Cheyenne then meet it again in Pocatello Idaho
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
Thanks for watching!!!!!! More on 3985 coming.
That is truly awesome that Union Pacific is passing this piece of history down the line to give it a chance to be restored and people to once see it again. However, I'm very surprised the UP is donating 6936. I really never thought they would part with that one, but, I guess we all may have a better shot at seeing it out and running too.
Thanks so much for the information on the Challenger! We were more than a little upset it was no longer on the rails. I know these engines take a tremendous amount of maintenance and it's too bad 3985 fell in disrepair, but I am so grateful to UP's steam program especially under Steve Lee for bringing an incredible amount of joy and steam experiences to us fans. I will never forget riding a train pulled by Challenger over the Blue Mountains, throttle wide open for miles on end climbing, with the fury of smoke and thundering exhaust. I loved how the UP guys didn't hold back, they used that engine. I wish I had witnessed the APL doublestack of 1990!
It is fantastic UP has restored the 4014, that is a dream come true. And the quality of restoration was impeccable. My biggest concern, disappointment, is it looks like they are babying it, parading it instead of working it.. . light loads and slow speeds.
Well big boy is a freight locomotive. Never designed to run much over 60. Challenger and 844 were designed to run at high speeds. Steve Lee ran at track limit 79 MPH. And once or twice was told to really open it up! But generally ran at 79. Big Boy can pull a mile long train up grade. But at not more than 30 or so. And they will not do that. Ed is careful to not break traction, hard on the equipment but also it’s so hard to load sand into the sand domes. All by hand from a fork lift in 90 pound bags. So he uses the diesel to get started. But trust me, he’s using 8 throttle all the time.
I was in the shop in Cheyenne when 3985 was re-fired in January, 1981. A couple of things I remember... after a long warm-up, the 1st sign of life was an air pump cycling. When the whistle was first tried, it was full of water so it sounded like a giant gargle. When everything was finally warm enough to keep the steam dry, everybody present got a turn at the whistle. Most of southeastern Wyoming heard the whistle that day.
I was also on the 1st excursion of 3985 when the sparks from the stack treated Utah to a 5-alarm fire on one of the photo run-bys. That's why 3985 (and later 4014) were converted to oil. It not only simplifies the fuel logistics on the road, but also keeps the engines from scorching the scenery.
I look forward to seeing "my" engine, 3985, run again.
An absolutely big no to 3985, she doesn't need a a diesel helper, because challengers are actually more powerful than the big boys, because they need to be heavy enough, at 6:19 this is not supposed to passenger, it's supposed to be freight, challengers are built for freight, not passengers
Do you happen to know if UP will give 3985's tender back to go with it or will they give 4014's tender and let the group restore that to match with 3985?
4014's tender will most likely go with 3985. The tenders of the Big Boys and later Challengers were meant to be compatible with both classes.
Thanks. I will have to keep an eye out. Silvis is only 4 to 5 hours drive away. It could be fun to go see.
When I saw the news about 3985 and 5511, I was hyped! Glad to hear your guys thoughts on it and I have to agree it'd be nice to see 3985 run again- I got to see it as a wee kid many years ago
Great there's a light at the end of the tunnel for 3985.. Is getting a second chance at life.. I remember seeing 3985 back in 2002 or 2003.. Its herd to remember.. But herring that 3985 and up 5511 are getting a second chance at life its nice to here that to up steam engines coming back to life and seeing a a double heading up up 4014 and 3985 is a once and a life time. I would like to see it.. I've seen 4014 and to see 3985 with 4014 would be awesome to see.. Love the video's Toy man Television.. Keep the good work up.
Thanks!!!!! So much still to be worked out. But the deal is done. Money raised. More needed to be sure but it’s a done deal. But the big questions of when and where will the locomotives be ran… many details. But all in good time. For now, ITS HAPPENING.
I sincerely hope that the Union Pacific program will bring back their E9 locomotives that are also sitting in the Cheyenne roundhouse hopefully they'll be back to pull The office car specials of theHeritage fleet they've been out of service since the 2010s
Through the all the somber news that dominates the world at the moment this is an ENORMOUS silver lining. I seriously hope they go as far as fixing 3985’s asthmatic Hancock. The high note (notes range from F# to A# in most causes) is what makes those whistles sing and it’s stopped working since 1992 (oddly specific I know). It’ll be an insane contrast hearing those Hancocks beside a WAILING Star Brass 5 Chime on 5511.
I live an hour away from Silvis
I just read a blurb somewhere on the internet about this UP deal. The names that were mentioned in that blurb were well-known to us Minnesota railfans.
Yup. The group is from there. But the “new” shop is in Silvis. More on that as I find out more. Much still not said. But more coming soon.
There's a lot of steam locomotive restoration goin on right now. Reading 2102 was just completed in April and is running perfectly.
One of your best releases yet! Not a lot of chit-chat but just enough for the extra details. Thank you.
Thanks!!!!! More on this over the summer and beyond.
I love this conversational dual narration thing you guys are doing. I'm not sure you understand how unique it is and how well it works.
Thanks!!!!!
Aww 6936 is my favorite locomotive. Wish UP would run that bad boy on normal freight.
More excited for 5511. I’ve never heard of it, and finally a large rigid steam is actually being restored to operation. I say put 3985 in 3977’s spot in the park, 3977 is a lot more beautiful
It's a corporate decision. Restore 3985 and 5511or take a bigger bonus. Solution, give them away and take a bigger bonus. Big Boy is the best public relations and advertising UP could have.
fantastic news about the challenger. not knocking the efforts, but 4014 has to be one of the easiest loco restorations done, 3985 deserves the same efforts, and again it's a primo base, and next to meiningen they've got probably the best facilities available
Bring the Challenger 3985 Rebuild... Big Boy 4024 should be rebuilt also
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.
Hello from Detroit Michigan and happy Sunday
Morning Detroit!
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'm glad 3985 is getting the much needed overhaul. I am hope that both it and 4014 would take turns hauling a stack train!
Well long shot. But they have in the past!
@@ToyManTelevision They only did that because the shipper wanted(and paid for) their train steam hauled.
Yeah, right. Legacy American steam hauling another load of Chinese crap.
There’s also a fundraiser event called walk amongst the giants on November 20
Hopefully 3985 can come back and run the blue ridge mountain on the old clinchfeld route again.
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 🐎.