May She RIP, 3985

It looks like the 3985 was worn out but sure had a good run over the years... Good to see UP running steam giving us the opportunity see these cool locomotives in action :-)

Hope it gets donated to a quality museum where it won't sit outside and rust away. Maybe if it is moved, we will get the chance to see it move again. (Dead it tow, of course.) Wonder if UP plans to dump 4014's original tender with it?

Disappointing news. I thought 3985 wss going to be overhauled following 4014s overhaul. I was looking forward to seeing 4014 and 3985 doubleheading one day. What a sight that would have been.

Chuck Sartor posted:

Hope it gets donated to a quality museum where it won't sit outside and rust away. Maybe if it is moved, we will get the chance to see it move again. (Dead it tow, of course.) Wonder if UP plans to dump 4014's original tender with it?

3985 will likely remain in the Cheyenne roundhouse with the UP's other non-operable steam loco's.

Rusty

Jon Stachowicz posted:

It looks like the 3985 was worn out

Sorry but 3985 was/is NOT "worn out"! All her major running gear is new, i.e. tires, crankpins, springs, spring rigging pins & bushings, and rod brasses. Her boiler only requires the FRA mandated 15 year recertification.

but sure had a good run over the years... Good to see UP running steam giving us the opportunity see these cool locomotives in action :-)

Mike D posted:

Disappointing news. I thought 3985 wss going to be overhauled following 4014s overhaul.

Nope. The current manager has stated many, MANY times that, "3985 will never run again as long as I'm in charge!". So,,,,,,,,now it's official.

I was looking forward to seeing 4014 and 3985 doubleheading one day. What a sight that would have been.

Trainmaster04 posted:

"This is what the email said, 'The short answer: There are no plans to restore No. 3985. Many years of hard operation have resulted in the locomotive requiring a complete frame-up restoration similar to what was needed to make No. 4014 operational. Historically, Union Pacific's steam program has had two steam locomotives on its roster, and that count will remain the same moving forward.'"

Now that would have been an impressive sight for all to see. Very sad news indeed...

Here is what Wikipedia says on the subject:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Pacific_3985

Not surprised, after the cost of renovating 4014, not surprised the UP would not want to keep another steam engine going. If all it needs is an FRA recert, in an ideal world another group wanting a working steam engine would be able to get it and do the work for that (I don't know how much that would cost, assuming the boiler and such are in good shape, know nothing about it), UP could potentially get a deduction for donating it, but doesn't sound like that is in the cards. I don't know UP's thinking, is the roundhouse a kind of museum where people can see the engines on static display,  or is it in effect mothballs? Doesn't make sense to me to take up space in a roundhouse for engines you otherwise have no use for, but as it is their stuff, they have every right to do that. 

Glad I was able to see her run through the Chicago/Milwaukee area in 2002.  Took some great pictures and vides of her headed North to Milwaukee, and then back South through the Sheridan area, North of Chicago itself.  great seeing her with members of the North Central O Gaugers……   Now, to find that CD I made...…..

Jesse   TCA

I had a chance to talk to Ed Dickens when I saw 4014 some months ago, and asked him about 3985. He said the UP brass told him they were only going to support two steam locomotives. They said 844, 3985, and 4014 - pick any two. (Things were leaning toward the 4014, however, for its great effect on public relations.) So 3985 was set aside. It was made clear, also, that 844 would always be maintained as an operational engine. I heard that a few of the 3985's parts had been cannabalized for 4014, but I don't know that for sure. Also, for now the 4014 is using her tender, as well. Ed said they were planning on building a new tender for 4014.

breezinup posted:

I had a chance to talk to Ed Dickens when I saw 4014 some months ago, and asked him about 3985. He said the UP brass told him they were only going to support two steam locomotives. They said 844, 3985, and 4014 - pick any two. (Things were leaning toward the 4014, however, for its great effect on public relations.) So 3985 was set aside. It was made clear, also, that 844 would always be maintained as an operational engine. I heard that a few of the 3985's parts had been cannabalized for 4014, but I don't know that for sure. Also, for now the 4014 is using her tender, as well. Ed said they were planning on building a new tender for 4014.

The cannibalizing of parts is true. Besides the big hint of the tender swap, 4014 also has the brake assembly off of 3985. Also, I've heard the same thing about the tender except that it was going to be a total rebuild of 4014's original tender. 

For everyone: Personally, I have never been able to see 3985, since I was not born yet, but I am glad to see that most of you guys have been able to see her in operation. May her memory never die! 

Trainmaster04 posted:

breezinup posted:

I had a chance to talk to Ed Dickens when I saw 4014 some months ago, and asked him about 3985. He said the UP brass told him they were only going to support two steam locomotives. They said 844, 3985, and 4014 - pick any two. (Things were leaning toward the 4014, however, for its great effect on public relations.) So 3985 was set aside. It was made clear, also, that 844 would always be maintained as an operational engine. I heard that a few of the 3985's parts had been cannabalized for 4014, but I don't know that for sure. Also, for now the 4014 is using her tender, as well. Ed said they were planning on building a new tender for 4014.

The cannibalizing of parts is true. Besides the big hint of the tender swap, 4014 also has the brake assembly off of 3985.

Plus the air pumps, the Elesco Exhaust Steam Injector components, the complete modern UP coded cab signal and former C&NW Automatic Train Control system, from 3985.

Also, I've heard the same thing about the tender except that it was going to be a total rebuild of 4014's original tender. 

That probably will not happen, what with the budget cuts, and two members of the crew already furloughed.

For everyone: Personally, I have never been able to see 3985, since I was not born yet,

Really? You mean your were born AFTER 3985 was stuffed into the last stall of the Cheyenne roundhouse, in the winter of 2010/2011? Her last trip was through Kansas City, in October 2010.

but I am glad to see that most of you guys have been able to see her in operation. May her memory never die! 

It sure won't with me! I was a contract Fireman for the UP Steam Crew, until the end of 2010 (about 17 years worth). I've got a lot of miles on 844 and 3985. Many, MANY great memories!

Hot Water posted:

Trainmaster04 posted:

breezinup posted:

I had a chance to talk to Ed Dickens when I saw 4014 some months ago, and asked him about 3985. He said the UP brass told him they were only going to support two steam locomotives. They said 844, 3985, and 4014 - pick any two. (Things were leaning toward the 4014, however, for its great effect on public relations.) So 3985 was set aside. It was made clear, also, that 844 would always be maintained as an operational engine. I heard that a few of the 3985's parts had been cannabalized for 4014, but I don't know that for sure. Also, for now the 4014 is using her tender, as well. Ed said they were planning on building a new tender for 4014.

The cannibalizing of parts is true. Besides the big hint of the tender swap, 4014 also has the brake assembly off of 3985.

Plus the air pumps, the Elesco Exhaust Steam Injector components, the complete modern UP coded cab signal and former C&NW Automatic Train Control system, from 3985.

Also, I've heard the same thing about the tender except that it was going to be a total rebuild of 4014's original tender. 

That probably will not happen, what with the budget cuts, and two members of the crew already furloughed.

For everyone: Personally, I have never been able to see 3985, since I was not born yet,

Really? You mean your were born AFTER 3985 was stuffed into the last stall of the Cheyenne roundhouse, in the winter of 2010/2011? Her last trip was through Kansas City, in October 2010.

but I am glad to see that most of you guys have been able to see her in operation. May her memory never die! 

It sure won't with me! I was a contract Fireman for the UP Steam Crew, until the end of 2010 (about 17 years worth). I've got a lot of miles on 844 and 3985. Many, MANY great memories!

 

Neat to hear that you are a veteran of the steam crew. Also, thanks for the information on when she was put to sleep. With that information I guess I was alive at that time but only 6 years of age. Overall, very interesting. 

Trainmaster04 posted:

...Many years of hard operation have resulted in the locomotive requiring a complete frame-up restoration similar to what was needed to make No. 4014 operational...

More total BS from the “Dear Leader” (Mr. Dickens) at Union Pacific. What a load of crap.

I've realized as of late that the new leaders of the class one's are NOT history buffs or rail fans. 

i had bad thoughts about #3985 being sidelined when it announced #4014 was going to be rebuilt. then ,when the U.P. management kept ed d. to head the steam program,i knew #3985 was to be parked,since she was steve lee's loco.....

Rich Melvin posted:

Trainmaster04 posted:

...Many years of hard operation have resulted in the locomotive requiring a complete frame-up restoration similar to what was needed to make No. 4014 operational...

More total BS from the “Dear Leader” (Mr. Dickens) at Union Pacific. What a load of crap.

Exactly what I was thinking.  If the 3985 was worn out in less than 30 years of excursion service then the 844 should be steel shavings by now.

Stuart

Never say never when it comes to large steam.  Managers change, corporate officers change.  Look at N&W 611.  Who would have thought it would have run again after NS disabled the 1218 and shut down their steam program in the early 90's?