My wife and I went up to Cheyenne Saturday for Cheyenne Depot Days. It is the only time that you can get into the UP steam shop and roundhouse.
Yes I asked the hosts the two main questions on everyone's mind:
1. What is happening with Big Boy 4014?
and
2. Will 3985 run again?
As for the 4014 everyone said, "You probably know more than we do!"
One person echoed Hot Water's remarks in that all of the Big Boys had been inspected long ago to see if any were in restorable condition and decided none were eligible.
He also wondered if the current track alignments could handle them.
They really didn't have any real news to offer.
As for the 3985 one person said it would be running in 2-3 years and that its boiler time was almost up so it needed new flues. I assume this also means the full FRA treatment.
Another person said that he wondered if it would run again.
In any case they were very nice and I enjoyed seeing the equipment again.
Here are some of the pictures.
Enjoy!
6936
The gap showing why it is called a double-diesel
844
Work status board
Active work on 844 getting it ready for this summer's excursions
No work on 3985
E9 951 in the roundhouse
E9 949
3985 showing why she can't fit in the roundhouse with her tender attached!
3985's running gear
Of course I have a bunch of other pictures. Let me know if there is something you want to see and I'll post a picture if I have it.
