Just my opinions here, I'm just a railfan. It seems a real shame that UP is (has) considered putting 3985 out to pasture. It was running and shopped earlier this decade, it would seem that the locomotive is not in that bad of condition to be put back in operational condition. It is still probably 95% intact, What parts were taken to restore 4014 could probably be had from donated locomotives across the country and rebuilt. It would need a new super heater, but it wouldn't be impossible to make one in house. I hear Austin Barker is a machinist extraordinaire and could construct one. I understand that the original restoration of 3985 was all done with volunteer man hours and 844 and 4014 was paid labor.
We would all hate to see 3985 end up in parts scattered all over like N&W 1218 and PRR 1361. It would (should) cost only a fraction of what 4014 cost to get running again. 3985 is just a important in UP history as the 4014. It would be really cool to see UP have one each operating of the Jabelman big 3 Alco locomotives. Imagine a double header with 4014 and 3985 together!
I would say I am on Ed's outer fringe of friends, but know him well enough to know that he wouldn't have anything to do with 3985 because it was 'Steve Lee's' locomotive He is a better man than that. Ed is a company man, and if Omaha gave the thumbs up he would give it just as much attention as 4014 and 844. He wouldn't need to deck it out like the other two, but enough to get it back on in service roster. I think he and his crew have proven they know their way around a steam locomotive by now.
I understand that the UP is in business to turn a profit for the stockholders, not catering to railfan desires. If funding is an issue, couldn't a go fund me page set up with proceeds to a escrow account. Maybe a one time railfan trip with 4014, calling it the 'Save the 3985' excursion pulled by the 4014! Proceeds after expenses can go to the fund, as an example.
So while 4014 go's on it's barnstorm tour this summer, and the guys get to operate the fruits of their labor, Maybe Mr. Fritz and the decision makers can reconsider 3985's fate. It's too close to being made operational again to sit outside in a park. Having 3 big operational steam locomotives would be claim only UP could make.
