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!
@@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.
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
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?
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.
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!!! 👍😉
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. ;-)
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.
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.
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.
@@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.
@@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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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 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. 🐎🐎🐎
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.
WOW! A spectacular video of one of the most famous steam locomotives . Your use of music to tell the story makes me feel your excitement. You are one of the best story tellers of a love we share. BRAVO and thank you you both.
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
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.
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!
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
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.
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
Actually I found it FASCINATING! Thanks so very much. I used to have a book on the Challenger series locomotive. I gave it to my older brother many decades back so I can't remember who wrote it or did the photography work. I was awestruck on just how much these locomotives weigh. It truly is an amazing engineering achievement.
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
@@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
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
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
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.
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.
That's great to hear of the rebuilding of Challanger. It is sad that a lot of our industrial heritage and history has been scrapped... to see these relics of that time being saved is really priceless! It's impossible to appreciate these machines unless you can put your hands on them and walk by them. I knew Dad helped log the Spruce that went into Howard Hughes H3 Hercules... it wasn't till I stood under the wings and inside it, that I appreciated everything that went into building this aircraft and the same is also true of these massive steam engines. I have worked around some large equipment but these steam engines are a step of magnitude above that.
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
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.
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! 😉😁🚂🌈📚
It'd be neat if the Union Pacific shop got ahold of a Yellowstone class locomotive and restored it to operation. They were powerhouses and the ones in MN were borrowed out during off times to other railroads to use in the mountains up the grades. These were powerhouses that could haul a lot of cargo. I love the UP program and got to see the Big Boy come through MN and some day hope to ride a steam train excursion. Great video.
That is wonderful news to hear. I've been a ralfan for many, many years, and while I've been fortunate enough to see #844 and #4014, I have yet to see #3985.
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?
@@tamezlocomotivestudios6493 the plan was in July. But moved back. September now? But 4014 will head to Portland via Donner them home on the OSL. But on Portland they are going to put 4449 and 4014 nose to nose at the shops and museum there across from OMSI.
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.
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.
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.
Hey Toy Man you missed the most significant aspect of 5511! It is probably the only remaining example of a steam locomotive equipped with Young valve gear in the USA. A very rare creature. I'm sad to hear that UP is downsizing their heritage fleet. 3985 really belongs in Cheyenne with 844 and 4014, but I am happy to hear it will run again though. She's pretty magnificent at 70-80 MPH. Thanks for posting the update!
Hi. Yup but UP has no interest. They really only “need” 844. It’s the flagship. But they needed two for the golden spike. And now they don’t care what Ed does with the others but they don’t want to spend 10,000,000. On 3985. So Ed figured to hand it off to people with the necessary time and money.
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 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.
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.
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.
I enjoy your videos. I've learned a lot from them. Especially the ones on backdrop painting. However, this one was my favorite. I guess because of all the memories I have chasing her. It's nice to know the old gal isn't done for yet.
I assumed knowing what all was wrong with it that it would be a museum piece. But Ed was being coy. Said you just never know… he couldn’t say he was paddling like a duck to get this deal done. Wow!!
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
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
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
We were very disappointed to hear the Big Boy trip had been postponed, but when they come through Sparks, we’re guaranteed to be there! UP would be really making it up to us if they double-headed the Big Boy with the Challenger.
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
The thought of possibly being able to see these 4 big locomotives side by side after all these years is just mind-blowing.
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.
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
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.
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’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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Awesome, I'm glad that they aren't stopping with the Big Boy. We can always use more history on the rails.
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.
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!
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.
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!!!
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 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. 🐎🐎🐎
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.
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.
WOW! A spectacular video of one of the most famous steam locomotives . Your use of music to tell the story makes me feel your excitement. You are one of the best story tellers of a love we share. BRAVO and thank you you both.
Thanks!!
If we could get a triple heard with 4014, 3985, and 844 that would be awesome
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.
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.
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!
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
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.
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
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.
3985 needs to be brought back to life. It was a beautiful freight master
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.
Actually I found it FASCINATING! Thanks so very much. I used to have a book on the Challenger series locomotive. I gave it to my older brother many decades back so I can't remember who wrote it or did the photography work. I was awestruck on just how much these locomotives weigh. It truly is an amazing engineering achievement.
You're very welcome!
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
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
Real interesting Dale and Kayrn; thank you for a great glimpse into the future of the steam locomotives.
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 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
Just think of the challenger was ever paired with the Big Boy, that would definitely be an epic sight in today’s time!!!
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
It is great news to hear that UP 3985 will be receiving care & maintenance in the future by a new locomotive preservation organization.
These big beautiful machines !!! It does my heart good to know they are being restored and preserved !!!!!!!!!!!
Hi. Right? Right!
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.
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.
I am really looking forward to 4014 AND 3985 back up and riding the rails!!!!!
That's great to hear of the rebuilding of Challanger. It is sad that a lot of our industrial heritage and history has been scrapped... to see these relics of that time being saved is really priceless! It's impossible to appreciate these machines unless you can put your hands on them and walk by them.
I knew Dad helped log the Spruce that went into Howard Hughes H3 Hercules... it wasn't till I stood under the wings and inside it, that I appreciated everything that went into building this aircraft and the same is also true of these massive steam engines. I have worked around some large equipment but these steam engines are a step of magnitude above that.
Yup. Amazing machines. The Goose you say! Isn’t that thing something?
@@ToyManTelevision yes it is, it is bigger than a 747.
Can't wait to see all the equipment being used again will definitely be following the progress
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
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!!!!!
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.
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.
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.
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.
What an interesting video, well done you two. Amazing history lesson. You guys Rock 👍😎
Thanks again as always
Well done & well told. 👍 • Cheers from the Detroit & Mackinac Railway 🚂 🇺🇸 🇺🇦
It'd be neat if the Union Pacific shop got ahold of a Yellowstone class locomotive and restored it to operation. They were powerhouses and the ones in MN were borrowed out during off times to other railroads to use in the mountains up the grades. These were powerhouses that could haul a lot of cargo. I love the UP program and got to see the Big Boy come through MN and some day hope to ride a steam train excursion. Great video.
I think 227 and 4014 were even built the same year. Talk about cool to see those 2 together.
Absolutely adore and appreciate every and all of your videos. Thank you.
That is wonderful news to hear. I've been a ralfan for many, many years, and while I've been fortunate enough to see #844 and #4014, I have yet to see #3985.
I really enjoyed this video. One of my favorites from your channel. It’s apart of history and keep up on following this build
We plan on getting out there if they will have 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.
YA-HOOOO! The Big Boy is coming to Portland! I'm gonna be there come hell or high water. Screwing around ahead! Love it!
On my bucket list, for my birthday present last year, my wife and I were able to ride behind UP4014 from New Orleans in August 2021.
I’m really glad that Challenger 3985 is gonna be restored
Us too!
@@ToyManTelevision hey toy man what do you mean 4014 and 4449 are going to meet up?
@@tamezlocomotivestudios6493 the plan was in July. But moved back. September now? But 4014 will head to Portland via Donner them home on the OSL. But on Portland they are going to put 4449 and 4014 nose to nose at the shops and museum there across from OMSI.
At least that’s the plan as of now…
@@ToyManTelevision hopefully they might whistle battle together you know when they blow there whistles at the same time like they chat with each other
So nice. Maybe it's the little boy in me but I love seeing these awesome engines.
Right? The ground moves as they thunder by.
I really like the music you put with the video 🇺🇸🇺🇸👍👍
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.
That was a very beautiful day wasn't it 😀. I remember it so well I had a spot to watch it really close only a few minutes from my home.
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.
It would be so amazing to see 844 3985 4014 triple heading now that would be an amazing sight to see.
This is going to be amazing! I was very surprised by the news!
Us too. Did you read the description? More information there.
@@ToyManTelevision yep!
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.
It would be a dream to see Big Boy, Living Legend and Challenger run together one time!!!!
Bet it happens
@@ToyManTelevision I hope so!!!!
Aww 6936 is my favorite locomotive. Wish UP would run that bad boy on normal freight.
6936 was used as the disel locomotive on some UP steam excursions and in 2008 made a trip across the entire UP system pulling a few passenger cars.
Hey Toy Man you missed the most significant aspect of 5511! It is probably the only remaining example of a steam locomotive equipped with Young valve gear in the USA. A very rare creature.
I'm sad to hear that UP is downsizing their heritage fleet. 3985 really belongs in Cheyenne with 844 and 4014, but I am happy to hear it will run again though. She's pretty magnificent at 70-80 MPH.
Thanks for posting the update!
Hi. Yup but UP has no interest. They really only “need” 844. It’s the flagship. But they needed two for the golden spike. And now they don’t care what Ed does with the others but they don’t want to spend 10,000,000. On 3985. So Ed figured to hand it off to people with the necessary time and money.
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 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.
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.
Beautiful score as always, sir.
Thanks!!!’
Fantastic job, guys!
Great news, thanks for the update.👍🍺
Hello from Detroit Michigan and happy Sunday
Morning Detroit!
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.
I enjoy your videos. I've learned a lot from them. Especially the ones on backdrop painting. However, this one was my favorite. I guess because of all the memories I have chasing her. It's nice to know the old gal isn't done for yet.
I assumed knowing what all was wrong with it that it would be a museum piece. But Ed was being coy. Said you just never know… he couldn’t say he was paddling like a duck to get this deal done. Wow!!
Great video.Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for watching!!!
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.
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
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.
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
We were very disappointed to hear the Big Boy trip had been postponed, but when they come through Sparks, we’re guaranteed to be there! UP would be really making it up to us if they double-headed the Big Boy with the Challenger.
Looks like fall.. September? We will know soon.
That is good news. I never believed they would restore a 4000 with the Challenger available.
Let's hope we can see the Big Boy, Challenger, and 844 in one giant excursion! The Big Three!
I would love to see all three Union Pacific engines triple-heading one day.
I hope they at least post videos of the restoration of 3985 and 5511!