It wasn't uncommon for the Union Pacific to use some tenders interchangeably. The centipede tenders built for the Big Boys and Challengers were no different. Who really cares which tender is used? It's just a tool and there's a job that needs to get done.
The Union Pacific Historical Society's 'The Streamliner' Vol.22 No.3 has a wonderful article THE TENDER BEHIND by Gordon McCulloh and James L. Ehrnberger with many of Mr. Ehrnberger's photos.
Another reference from www.steamlocomotive.com/types/tenders gives a nice description of the some of the differences between the 25-C-1 through 25-C-5 tenders. They also stated that "Adding a little to the confusion for many about the Big Boy tenders was the fact that 25-C-1 and 25-C-4 tenders were completely interchangeable and were traded between both groups of Big Boys for convenience."
I Recognize there is difference between a statement like that and the reality of using a Challenger 3985's oil tender (which I'm pretty sure was taken from the #3977) instead of the 25-C-1 Coal tender that is likely on the 4014. I don't see it as anything impossible.
However, as I think Hot Water had stated somewhere earlier, his experienced opinion is that a bigger obstacle would be the trouble shooting and shakedown required for the proper oil firing of the Big Boy.
I have no skin in the game on the current Steam manager, personally I don't care about the politics. Sounds like mistakes were made and disagreements on judgement but the fact is..... he is the one making this happen. I just want results. I'm no longer interested in blame. I'm interested in solutions. If using 3985's tender will save time for the excursion then I'm all for it. So long as there aren't any major F-UPs, I would hope that any lessons learned from using it short term will lead to better decisions being applied to the oil conversion of the 4014's tender later if that is their plan.
The final fate of 3985, well...…. people will always need something to argue about. Don't let the perfect get in the way of the good. I'm looking forward to seeing a Big Boy actually steam under power.
