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 Post subject: UP 3985 could be restored 2019 or 2020?
PostPosted: Thu Dec 13, 2018 10:46 pm 

Joined: Sat May 19, 2018 10:03 am
Posts: 190
According to Trains Magazine, UP has not only applied for Two PTC waivers, but THREE! I thought Ed Dickens said they would not restore the 3985, but I guess plans changed. I’ve always liked the Challengers over the big boys. It would be amazing to see a 1950s style triple header between these three legends! Can’t wait to see 3985 thundering down the rails again.


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 Post subject: Re: UP 3985 could be restored 2019 or 2020?
PostPosted: Thu Dec 13, 2018 11:18 pm 

Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2017 5:26 pm
Posts: 612
Location: Pure Michigan
NS6770fan wrote:
According to Trains Magazine, UP has not only applied for Two PTC waivers, but THREE! I thought Ed Dickens said they would not restore the 3985, but I guess plans changed. I’ve always liked the Challengers over the big boys. It would be amazing to see a 1950s style triple header between these three legends! Can’t wait to see 3985 thundering down the rails again.


I always thought it was the plan to begin restoring the 3985 after the 4014.


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 Post subject: Re: UP 3985 could be restored 2019 or 2020?
PostPosted: Fri Dec 14, 2018 7:45 am 

Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2015 12:30 am
Posts: 290
NS 3322 wrote:
NS6770fan wrote:
According to Trains Magazine, UP has not only applied for Two PTC waivers, but THREE! I thought Ed Dickens said they would not restore the 3985, but I guess plans changed. I’ve always liked the Challengers over the big boys. It would be amazing to see a 1950s style triple header between these three legends! Can’t wait to see 3985 thundering down the rails again.


I always thought it was the plan to begin restoring the 3985 after the 4014.


That's always publicly been the plan.


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 Post subject: Re: UP 3985 could be restored 2019 or 2020?
PostPosted: Fri Dec 14, 2018 1:09 pm 

Joined: Sat Aug 21, 2004 10:50 pm
Posts: 567
I wouldn't read too much into any supposed timeline for the 3985. Work didn't really get into high gear on the 4014 until the end of the 2017 operating season for the 844 as the same staff that operates the 844 is the core of the group working in the shop on the 4014. I would imagine they will be committed to 4014 through May and beyond depending on how much a tour 4014 gets to take around the system.

Just my $0.02 worth, which isn't much, lol.

Rob Gardner


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 Post subject: Re: UP 3985 could be restored 2019 or 2020?
PostPosted: Fri Dec 14, 2018 4:14 pm 

Joined: Tue Aug 22, 2017 11:27 am
Posts: 132
From a close friend of mine that works in the Steam Shop at the UP the goal has always been 3985 up and running by 2022 at the latest. Why so that way they can have 3 engines on a rotating schedule for the 1472 day inspection program. They can be tearing one down have 2 running. If they were not going to repair 3985 then why did they order new Crossheads and other parts for her this year they ordered new cylinders for all 3 from what I have been told new axles forged and new drive wheels cast in the next couple years. Also they are looking to get new 10 axle tender trucks to replace those on the centipede tenders.


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 Post subject: Re: UP 3985 could be restored 2019 or 2020?
PostPosted: Fri Dec 14, 2018 5:29 pm 

Joined: Tue Dec 11, 2012 1:40 am
Posts: 489
That's interesting news. At one time Steve wanted to replace the tender on 844 as the centipede tender tended to be a source of trouble on the road. They like to derail on wye's.

I'm hoping to see a source for new axles for the UP E9 fleet and a restoration of E9B 966 to join her three sisters.

Robert


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 Post subject: Re: UP 3985 could be restored 2019 or 2020?
PostPosted: Fri Dec 14, 2018 7:53 pm 

Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2018 8:04 pm
Posts: 314
A few years ago I took a photograph of the work list of the 3985 on what was completed and what needed to be completed. I will see if I can find that photo. They did extensive work on the locomotive and I would say it was around 70% completed. The work stopped on the 3985 when they decided to do a through overhaul on the 844. It was not long after that the the restoration of the Big Boy was announced and all work stopped on the 3985.

I can confirm that they did order many new parts for the 3985 as many of the Big boy parts are identical to those on the 3985. There is a You tube video of Ed talking about this at the annual update in Denver. It would be ideal if the Big Boy and Challenger were getting the same work done side by side to save time and money. During the annual steam shop, open house, in Cheyenne this year I took a visit and I was surprised to see many new parts on the 3985 mainly in regards to running gear. The locomotive looked like it was in excellent condition.

Last time I talked to the steam crew a few months ago I asked them about the 3985. One person said it needed boiler work. Another said it had decades of grease in every possible place you could image making it work difficult. All said it would be restored at a later time. Everyone agreed that it would be better to do a ground up restoration like the 844 and the Big boy is getting with many new parts, and making the locomotive better than new. Many said that the 3985 has never had a thorough overhaul and it is long overdue for one.

In any case it would not surprise me if they announced the 3985 would run along with the Big Boy in 2019. Obviously the 3985 would not have had the overhaul it needs, but they could finish it to do this tour. I would say the chances of that happening are very low as they have been working 7 days a week just to get the Big boy done.


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 Post subject: Re: UP 3985 could be restored 2019 or 2020?
PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2018 12:45 am 

Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2018 3:31 pm
Posts: 36
Location: Kent Island, Maryland
I believe I heard that 4014 will be using 3985’s tender so they don’t have to convert 4014’s tender to oil quite yet. Is this claim accurate/still accurate?

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 Post subject: Re: UP 3985 could be restored 2019 or 2020?
PostPosted: Sat Dec 15, 2018 12:38 pm 

Joined: Tue Aug 22, 2017 11:27 am
Posts: 132
3985 is NOT going to be in Odgen come this May. The UP is going to give her the same treatment and type of Overhaul they have gave both 844 and 4014 before she ever turns a wheel again. That means tearing her down to the bare boiler removal of the entire rolling gear repair replace anything that freaking needs it in the boiler firebox and running gear and then put her back together as good as the day she rolled out of ALCO brand new. My friend is like I honestly can not wait to dig into her why she for years was the biggest bad girl on the rail until we redid 4014. Now we are going to give her the attention she needs and deserves that she never really got.


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 Post subject: Re: UP 3985 could be restored 2019 or 2020?
PostPosted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 4:16 am 

Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2018 8:04 pm
Posts: 314
Looking through some of my photos it looks like the super heater tubes were removed in 2010 and replaced by 2012. Checklist in 2012 shows there was a hydrostatic test done. In 2010 there was also much work done to the front truck in regards to welding and machining the front wheel liners. Photos are of low quality to meet the requirements on this site but I think you can see everything. Zoom in on the checklist of the work scope of the 3985.


Attachments:
3985 5-29-2010 (4).jpg
3985 5-29-2010 (4).jpg [ 264.83 KiB | Viewed 18911 times ]
3985 5-29-2010 (3).jpg
3985 5-29-2010 (3).jpg [ 315.88 KiB | Viewed 18911 times ]
3985 5-29-2010 (2).jpg
3985 5-29-2010 (2).jpg [ 277.51 KiB | Viewed 18911 times ]
3985 5-29-2010 (1).jpg
3985 5-29-2010 (1).jpg [ 310.45 KiB | Viewed 18911 times ]
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 Post subject: Re: UP 3985 could be restored 2019 or 2020?
PostPosted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 1:58 pm 

Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 1:45 am
Posts: 366
Location: Skagway, Alaska
I hate the world we live in is so sensitive, but I know if I posted the pictures above from some places I've been, it wouldn't leave me with a good reputation.

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 Post subject: Re: UP 3985 could be restored 2019 or 2020?
PostPosted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 8:55 pm 

Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2004 7:52 am
Posts: 2560
Location: Strasburg, PA
Tom F wrote:
A few years ago I took a photograph of the work list of the 3985 on what was completed and what needed to be completed.

I am told that the work list you photographed and posted is for #844, not #3985. All work in #3985 ended in 2011.

I am authorized to post Ed Dickens' contact information. Eedickens@up.com , 307-214-3547. He invites those with legitimate questions to contact him directly.


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 Post subject: Re: UP 3985 could be restored 2019 or 2020?
PostPosted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 11:51 pm 

Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2018 8:04 pm
Posts: 314
Kelly Anderson wrote:
Tom F wrote:
A few years ago I took a photograph of the work list of the 3985 on what was completed and what needed to be completed.

I am told that the work list you photographed and posted is for #844, not #3985. All work in #3985 ended in 2011.

I am authorized to post Ed Dickens' contact information. Eedickens@up.com , 307-214-3547. He invites those with legitimate questions to contact him directly.


I hardly need Ed Dickens information. I have known him from my days as a Conductor for Union Pacific in the mid 2000's, and have been visiting the steam shop since the 80's back when Steve lee was there. The last thing any of the steam crew needs is people E-mailing or calling them about the Challenger. I specifically took those pictures of the work list (and yes Ed Dickens was two feet away explaining what work they were doing and what work they will be doing) to inform people about rumors or mis facts about the Challenger including some doozies about the locomotive getting cut up for scrap.

After looking at my photos over the years in the steam shop I would conclude that the work list was likely the #844 as the super heaters were removed from the #3985 in 2010 (same year the #3985 stopped running). Everything from the work list is from 2012-2013. Normally these papers are taped to the board specific to the locomotive being worked on. In this case the papers were taped to the #3985 board. I included a photo of the #844 board and it is pretty hard to mistake the two boards.

Work did not stop on the Challenger in 2011. I Included photos from May 20th, 2012 showing the #844 and Challenger side by side in the steam shop. The #844 had yet to go into overhaul as it still had the July, 2012 excursion to complete. The majority of work for the first half of 2012 would have gone into the Challenger. I posted a photo of the Challenger in May of 2013 showing all the boiler jacketing removed and now sitting in the old roundhouse. Work likely stopped on the Challenger in late 2012. The earliest work shown on the confirmed #844 work list is November of 2012.

The Challenger would have had roughly two and a half years of work done to it. I have no idea why those photos are so large!


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 Post subject: Re: UP 3985 could be restored 2019 or 2020?
PostPosted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 11:54 pm 

Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2018 8:04 pm
Posts: 314
I have no idea why those photos are so massive!


Attachments:
#3.jpg
#3.jpg [ 285.11 KiB | Viewed 18369 times ]
5-19-2013 #2.jpg
5-19-2013 #2.jpg [ 244.13 KiB | Viewed 18369 times ]
5-19-2013.JPG
5-19-2013.JPG [ 276.11 KiB | Viewed 18369 times ]
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 Post subject: Re: UP 3985 could be restored 2019 or 2020?
PostPosted: Mon Dec 17, 2018 8:04 am 

Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 1:16 pm
Posts: 209
Yes, impossible to view these photos. You should go back and edit them and adjust that.


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