3985 will for sure run again it's just nobody knows when she isn't a priority right now

Ryan Shipp The 3985 has to go through a complete FRA boiler inspection, every square inch of it will have to be magnafluxed for ANY signs of cracks or fracturing, & Ultrasonics for wall thickness & hardness, etc, etc... before they can ever light another fire in that firebox... and the 3985 is currently #3 on the UP Steam "priority list"..... though, they want it ready (IF...it passes the FRA inspection) by or before 2019, so it can be triple headed along with the 4014 & the 844 for the 150th Anniversary of the Golden Spike at Promatory, UT.... at least, that's the "plan". Having said all that..... nobody be "surprised" - IF, none of it takes place, in 2019... or before. Just saying.

+2Stroke Diesel Power THAT WOULD BE COOL.

Ryan Shipp might be a little overpowered for an excursion, would be better to have 300+ freight cars :P

I think so, too! It would be cool for the double header.

Nathaniel Headley Then, you better get out to Cheyenne and talk to Ed or Scott.... about Volunteering for the steam program... hope you have some trade skills they can use. Notice that I used the word "Volunteer".... and as far as the 3985... it currently is in the #3 spot on the "priority list". As far as being a hogger on the 3985.... or, ANY large steamer.... I would go find a "small" steam tourist RR, and volunteer for train crew "helper".... "get your feet wet & your hands dirty" for a few years, and then you might get lucky and be "in the right place, at the right time" and start "training" for the left seat (fireman)... and IF you make the grade for fireman, you'll do that for any number of years for experience... and "eventually"... you might get to be "in the right place, at the right time again"... and start training as hogger (steam loco engineer).... IF, you make the grade and get certified for the right seat.... then you "might" have to still work the left seat and fill in when needed on the right seat...until such a time, when you "might" get to hold down the right side of the cab on a regular basis... for a few years, at least to gain some steady experience..... THEN.... perhaps you can begin looking around to find a little bigger steam power...... and after another 20 yrs experience or so, you might talk to UP about any, even remote "possibility" of you ever even getting in the left seat, of something like the 844, to start... and work up, from there. All that to say...... I'm not trying to discourage you... IF, your really even serious about doing that.... just letting you know.... that you don't just go from being a volunteer on a steam restoration team.... to the right seat, of a Large steamer (especially, the size of the 3985)..... it takes Years, of "working your way "up the ladder" in both experience, and in power..... and when it comes to Steam / Train Crew operations & positions.... it's almost 95% of being "the right person, at the right place, at the right time... with the right qualifications".... which is true for just about any train / engine crew position, on any road these days.... especially, when all the class1's are "eyeballing" more & more.... the "possibilities" of "remotely controlled" mainline operations.... and the technology, in fact.. already exists, and is being further developed. You would be better off.... getting on a Class 1 Road (such as UP) on the train / engine crews (re: Diesels) and working your way into the right seat (eventually... "usually") and getting a number of years, of experience hauling tonnage (freights)... then, see about crossing over to their steam program.... or, any roads steam program (only a few class1's anymore, with a program at all)... and even then, you would more than likely still need to get time under your belt, firing one, first. Good luck to you on fulfilling your dream.... which starts with, doing Something - in that direction.

Thanks 2Stroke Diesel Power. I'll do that soon.

2 Stroke Diesel: dang: you're the man.

well there's only 1 left so

UP won't do that because they don't want to risk damaging a one of a kind locomotive. Also, they won't do it because American 3-cylinder steam locomotives were an expensive pain in the ass to maintain.

I agree a 9000 would be epic to see roar across the prarie

But I agree they are hard to keep in order and it's hard to get them around curves so we will just accept them on display

have you watched Last of the Giants there is no way UP will revive a 9000 those engines are too big and they are bad on curves they don't have a pilot truck

Yeah... So uh about that... 3985 was officially retired in 2020... Its future is relatively unknown, although many speculate itll be used as static display.

And now THIS has aged poorly.

I can see why she is a beautiful engine the last of her kind and sitting outside would destroy her

Good info Gino: thnx.

3985 is retired and was in worse condition than 4014 was when it arrived for restoration.

3985 and 5511 are officially going to the Railroading Heritage of Midwest America. 6936 will join them as well. I believe the E9s will run again; they are waiting for wheel work.

Agreed

No plans for them

where do you get your fucking drugs

@@overpoweredsteamproduction513 Are you Idiot . No offense

@@overpoweredsteamproduction513 I need drugs

no more, he was retired this year, oficially

Both of those have since left the roundhouse, bound for new owners.

No

Nope

Never again will the #838 fire as a whole lot of her is riding on 844 now, so she is just a skeleton of her original parts and just about everything useful has been taken off.

SteamUP But cant they manufacture everything they need? It may be expensive, but not impossible

MasterViseOMG sure it COULD but it literally will never happen

Chris Sanko How can you be so sure? Are you a time traveler?

where would they use the parts removed from 3985

@@JAMESMANHUNT9 Some parts are interchangeable with 4014.

who's gonna tell 'em

Yeah... So uh about that... 3985 was officially retired in 2020... Its future is relatively unknown, although many speculate itll be used as static display.

3985 has been retired. Due to years of deferred (read ignored) and improper maintenance, its boiler is in worse condition than 4014's boiler was when it arrived for restoration. When they got to look at it once 4014 was completed, they discovered a lot of improper patches and dangerous thin spots. They already knew about some other issues such as the need for a new firebox, staybolt replacement,...

It's probably gonna be retired permanently because UP spent a lot of money on restoring 4014. It is possible that 3985 will be cosmetically restored and put on display somewhere.

@Rich Guggenheim Those volunteers only did a partial restoration, which was coupled with improper and deferred maintenance. That's why it's in such bad shape.

3985 needs a complete rebuild before she runs again. She is in such poor shape. She likely needs countless new parts, as many of hers were used for 4014’s restoration. She likely needs a new boiler as well. Not to mention 4014 is using her tender. It will be years and maybe even decades before the Challenger runs again.

3977 served as a parts source for 3985, much like how 838 supplies parts for 844 so getting her back into service won't happen.

Maby 9000 can run in parts of the Union Pacific system like near Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah.

Yeah, to maintain the 3rd cylinder, the whole boiler had to be lifted up.

I think they had their hands full with general crowd control & keeping the grown "children" off the equipment

Yea they were answering questions and dealing with kids climbing on the amtrak engines

Duncan Campbell No unfortunately.

that is a Train Orders rumor retired from service but not retired from active duty. #3985 has been declared condemned by FRA and has to have to the boiler replaced. remember the last trip to Illinois the boiler blew and Wasatch the prime contractor for Steam Shop does not have the man power or the funds to repair #3985. that is a big boiler and it will take six years of work to replace the same thing happened to #844 in 99 and she did not return to service until 05. the repair #3985 first they will have to go inside BIG BOY and both engines will have to be inside the shop when they do the repair all tubes, boiler plates, and stay bolts will have to be removed then they have to hoes it down to get all the scale out when that is done new plates will have to be installed onto the boiler shell and new bolts put in and the welds must be perfect or the whole thing could blow then new pipes have to be put in before it can move.

That's not true she is just not in working order she needs a boiler overhaul

IanPlaysMC thats what I said what I meant to say is FRA condemned the engine because the boiler is beyond the safety limit they will need to replace the boiler before #3985 can steam again.

I’m certainly not an expert, but I’d assume it’s so 844’s engineer can control the diesel behind the steamer

The whole "3985 will run again" aged like milk. It was officially retired/taken off the roster a while back

that is the current rumor

@Minecraft Destroyer No, it's being used as a parts source for 844. I do not approve of it.

@@ottomatic6432 but wut if 844 was retired

@@JACESOFFICIAL 844 won't be retired

no, he was oficially retired

It was retired last year

Not currently, but 844 is getting some tube work, 4014 will be restored in 3 to 5 years and 3985 needs a lot of work! But they are all are receiving TLC in Cheyenne, Wyoming

Yes but not currently this year they ran the E units and they were lovely

Yes, except for the display part. That and other things are uncertain. it was retired last year

5511 should not even exist. It was listed as scrapped some time after the film Big Boy was made. It was pushed to the end of the river track in Green River Wy, and forgotten about. It was rediscovered sometime, prior to to the 100 year anniversary, in 1969, moved to Cheyenne. 5511 has the only remaining Young valve in the world, as far as I know. whether or not it can be restored depend on condition of the Boiler,running gear, and finding a place to run it. Long rigid wheel base. Steve Lee once told me they could not remover from the roundhouse because of the switches being to tight. Also it was not designed to maintain today's speed requirements. This was the story I was told in the early 70's Correction appreciated. keith

Unfortunately, UP has officially retired 3985. She will never run again

I think the only way up steam will get 3985 going again is if we see a major financial injection into the steam program. Sadly I don't see it happening. Just keeping 844 and 4014 going is gonna take loads of donations. If I were rich I'd be donating time and money for UP. Maybe one day......

yeah i was researching across internet sadly she is retired

Who didn't?

916fanatic1 most likely not, her long wheel base and short drivers limit where she can operate and how useful she'd be (as an excursion engine anyways). Plus the condition of the boiler and running gear (idk what shape they're in) plays a major role. Never know though, if the UP could find a purpose for it I'm sure they'd make it happen.

Justin: thanks for the update.

Aka 3985 as clinchfield 676

She has been officially retired.

You really want 838 to run? Only Elon musk could make that happen. He's literally got so much money he's digging a tunnel to nowhere,

@Stoneyburke what about the British ones? There are hundreds of them in preservation and some classes have 10 or even more examples that have been saved.

I figure if they run out of parts from 838, they might just either retire 844, or just make new parts all together

David D'Anna trainsformers: robots in disguise

Update: Running on its 2nd excursion

yes two in the yard

I don't think so. There's only 814 left. But, 838's tender might be possible. (Pictured at 18:17) Or UP could just use one that they already have.

they have four tenders two are currently used in service

Well, Minus 3985's tender. Why? Cause it's out of service. (Not trying to be rude here)

there are two tenders on the turntable tracks with the old UNION PACIFIC lettering on them the 814 and 809 tenders are still in service.

Why is it there then? They should of scrapped it years ago instead of letting it roat? Why can't they restore this locomotive?

​@@aaronspringborn34 838 is being used as a parts source for 844.

Union Pacific #5511: #5511 is a 1923 Baldwin 2-10-2 built for the Union Pacific railway. It was part of 144 UP 2-10-2's classified "TTT". The UP had 2-10-2's from 1917 to 1957. They were numbered in the 5000's and 5500's. Many of the UP 2-10-2's had Coffin feed water heaters, while some had different ones, like #5078 carried a Worthington 5S FWH, #5033 carried a Worthington 4BL FWH. Some of them carried the Young Valve Gear and some carried Walschaerts. In service life, the 2-10-2's were regulated to freight service and near the end of their careers: Helper service. Because of their large cylinders and 63' inch diameter drivers, they could only do about 45 miles per hour. Today, #5511, class TTT63, sits in the UP roundhouse, stored. A 2004 report from the website "steam locomotive dot com", says that a restoration on #5511 for operation could take a couple of weeks. But, that was a decade or so ago. _____ So there you have it, info about the UP 2-10-2's and #5511. Hope you got what you needed.

mark10788 a couple of weeks? How good of condition was she In back then?

Probably pretty good. She's probably still in good condition, considering it has been rarely used in the preservation era. I also heard from the report (Where I learned the condition of the engine) that the 5511 was up for sale.

Mark 107: you're the man. Great info.

5511 is an oil burner.

I'm sure 3985 is feeling fine. She is just going to sleep in the UP Roundhouse until Big Boy 4014 finishes its restoration.

Yeah she is officially retired for the 2nd time

Tell me the price! I'll pay anything!

5-15 million I think. It's expensive, not to mention the ferry move on a flat car and rehabing it to FRA standads again... worth it though.for like a dinner train

northstar2007 well if I had the money. I'd have it

MikadoMakoto I know the feeling!

Wow , , , need to win the lottery.

10-20 years if we are lucky. Keeping 2 steamers UP and touring will limit their time to restore the Challenger. With 15 yr FRA inspections and 3 locos they could easily sustain 2 running and 1 in restoration in perpetuity for generations to come. keep the faith.

Whats gonna happened to UP 838?

I think they can. They say it is a part source. They should restore this one too.

K, but I've just been wandering of what happened to the tender of UP 3985

CSXT Railfan 2014 They can not fit it in the roundhouse or in the exact same stall as the engine.

+Mr. Railfanner I'm a year late but 833 would be a better choice, though being an FEF-2 it's supposedly still in excellent shape.

Not that we know of, 2156 has a crack in its frame, maybe you were thinking about that?

@@stevew270 I think I was lol 😆

She will be worked on eventually and run again

Oh, good. It will be terrific to see the #3985 to run with #4014 someday.

+Stephen Crumb The 3985 needs extensive boiler work, all new tubes and crown sheet and then will be undergoing an early 15 year (ahead of the normally scheduled...), full inspection and boiler test.... it will, be a "while", yet... lots of work to do. Having said all that.... I'm not "holding my breath" to see either the 3985 and / or, the 4014... ever run again.

@@Romans--bo7br 4014 ran again, but 3985 needs just as much of not more work than 4014 did if UP chooses to restore it.

NS Productions Really??.... and how old were YOU, when you saw the "838" pull "her last train" ??..... and just so you know, The "838" is Not, going to any scrap yards.... yet, not until they've Completely cannibalized it for parts...it's be a while, yet.

... its privite

It's likely it's just gonna stay where it has been since 1956. Maintaining a 3-cylinder engine is expensive.

Transportation Productions that sounds silly. 3985 WILL run again. It just needs to pass a boiler inspection, which is a good thing. Don't want it riding the high Iron with a bad boiler.

That's not true. 3985 will be restored soon.

It's every 1472 service days or 15 years (whichever happens first). In the case of 3985, there were several years left on its boiler certification when it last ran (which has since expired). It has deteriorated to the point where it needs a full restoration just like 4014 received.

I think there won't be any plans to restore UP 3985. Having 2 steam locomotives is enough.

why do you say that?

Commissar0617 because they have to restore 4014 and then restore 3985.

It doesn't take that long to do a boiler inspection you know.

@@Jeebuus 3985 needs a lot more than just a boiler inspection. It needs a full restoration.