UP 844`s string of bad luck as of late has me wondering if 3985 could be filling in instead of the Es.
What is the current status of UP3985?
Last time I checked (last year) they were doing work on the front truck and the locomotive was intact. It ran no less than 2 years ago to Nebraska and back. I believe it is operational but still needs quite a bit of smaller work done to get it up and running again. I will visit the steam shop in a few weeks and see what the status is.
I wanted to give a update on the status of the 3985. As of yesterday the 3985 is getting some minor running gear and boiler work done. They said it should be operational around this time next year.
Thanks for the news.
I was in the UP steam shop last weekend-the Challenger was disconnected from it’s tender and much of the jacketing around the firebox was removed, exposing some very rusty looking staybolts. The UP man we spoke to said it might run next year, but more likely 2014. 
The above quotes are from the Thread Started on the Forum in 2012. The 3985 has been down apparently since its last major trip ( Went to Nebraska in the first quARTER OF 2010).
The quote from the Thread dated below and contributed by rsj4trains details several problems that apparently occurred during that Nebraska trip.
| rsj4trains replied on 07-04-2010 6:17 PM |
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The above quotes are from the Thread Started on the Forum in 2012. The 3985 has been down apparently since its last major trip ( Went to Nebraska in the first quARTER OF 2010).
The quote from the Thread dated below and contributed by rsj4trains details several problems that apparently occurred during that Nebraska trip.
| rsj4trains replied on 07-04-2010 6:17 PM |
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I was in the roundhouse on July 3rd. It was told to me that 3985 would be out of service for 2 years. They decided to go and do her “Annual” and replace some flues and other boiler and running gear repairs.
Is it my understanding that UP 3985 had a cracked Boiler?
[quote user="nwo4rf"]
I was in the roundhouse on July 3rd. It was told to me that 3985 would be out of service for 2 years. They decided to go and do her “Annual” and replace some flues and other boiler and running gear repairs.
[/quote]
Thanks, nwo4rf:
That makes sense. Some one else, I had read had made mention that 3985 was going to be out of service for a couple of years, the date the had mentioned was in 2014/ 2015 for her to be back in service.
At least she wil be running again!
And thanks for your Post,
and Welcome, Alan Love,jr.! [#welcome]
| Allan_Love_Jr replied on 07-16-2012 12:55 PM |
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As of September 17 2012, UP 3985 was in the Cheyenne steam shops with the boiler jacketing off, and some insulation peeled away. I made friends with one of the boilermakers on the steam crew at Railfest in North Platte last year and got to ride the 844 from North Platte to Cheyenne this year, and he told me that it was going to be down for 3-5 years for the 1472 service days or 15 year FRA mandated boiler inspection/overhaul.
In other news, next year the 844 will slow down alot and the 3985 will be getting some much needed attention.