I never got to see 3985 in person but was really hoping to, seeing the 4014 was very exciting but I have to say that between the two, I'd take the 3985 over the 4014 any day of the week. Of course being a diehard SP fan and ex SP switchman, I'd take the SP AC-9's (3800 series) plus the Cab Forwards over both the 3985 and the 4014. I can still remember seeing them going up the North Line towards Alamogordo, NM along with the Cab Forwards. They used to scare the daylights out of me when I was very little but as I got older I loved every second of it as they went by. The ground was shaking like a leaf as they pounded the rails heading up grade, I believe it was 2% but not 100% about that anymore.
I'd much rather see UP put the 4014 back out to pasture and maybe use it on occasion and rebuild the 3985.
Thanks for a great thread and discussion guys, brought back a lot of memories.