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@RickO posted:

All of this excitement over cold, dead, steam locos ,being dragged by a diesel.😐

I can think of a few videos pf 3985 " on the move" that are just a bit more impressive.

The excitement is these engines are going to be restored and run again and I’d bet without the aid of a diesel unlike 4014.  This is just step one. Would you say @Hot Water?

Last edited by superwarp1
@superwarp1 posted:

The excitement is these engines are going to be restored and run again and I’d bet without the aid of a diesel unlike 4014.  This is just step one. Would you say @Hot Water?

Right, i.e. the first step in the donating of equipment process is, to get the stuff off your own property, and in the hands of the organization that is receiving the donation. Besides, the current manager in Cheyenne doesn't like, nor want anything to do with, that equipment.

Big steam railfans are delighted that the Challenger is now "adopted" and will be "reborn." Hopefully in my lifetime (I'm now 83). Years ago, I rode a train with the Challenger on point during its tour through Arkansas.

Mike M.   LCCA 12394

Mike,

I'm twenty years behind you but I have the same exact concerns and hopes.

See this post for details on the 'City of Los Angeles' excursion in which I rode, behind UP 3985 and the newly renovated (at that time) E9's:

     ‘City of Los Angeles’ Steam-and-Diesel Excursion, Las Vegas to Greater L.A.; May 14, 1994 (5/18/19) | Mellow Hudson Mike



Mike

Can someone here tell me what the extra light on top of the rear of the UP tender does? It's above the back-up light, I believe.

Is it on all the time while running? Forward? Backing up? Is it a white light?, red light?, etc.

It is a red light, and was turned on whenever the locomotive was used in rear end helper service, i.e.red to the rear.

I've always seen it, yet never considered what it's for. Seems like an easy answer. I searched pics already, and did not get answers.

I was a young man living in Cheyenne in 1980 when the 3985 was brought back by a courageous small group of UP guys. What a thrill that was for me to see, smell and feel that first coal coal fire on a cold Wyoming night. A little later I got a short cab ride when it was being run in the yard. I have ridden behind it on many fan trips. I hope I am around long enough to see it fired again. Thanks for posting the movement video. Strong memories as you would expect. 

Speaking of tenders...

Do I recall correctly that when the Big Boy was restored for operation they 'stole' 3985's tender for the project, leaving the Challenger with 4014's tail piece?

If so, is that a major expense issue to restoration for operation of 3985?  IOW, was there something about 4014's tender that was a major PITA to the UP...so they ''cannibalized' 3985?...and are now donating that 'headache' to RHMA??

Or is my aging recollection off the tracks?

KD

@dkdkrd posted:

Speaking of tenders...

Do I recall correctly that when the Big Boy was restored for operation they 'stole' 3985's tender for the project, leaving the Challenger with 4014's tail piece?

Yes. Due to time constraints, the oil tender from 3985 was , and is, used behind 4014.

If so, is that a major expense issue to restoration for operation of 3985?  IOW, was there something about 4014's tender that was a major PITA to the UP...so they ''cannibalized' 3985?...and are now donating that 'headache' to RHMA??

Not quite. As I stated above, there was not enough time to completely overhaul the 4014 engine AND tender, so the already converted to oil and overhauled tender from 3985 was used with 4014.

Reportedly, the deal is for RHMA to completely overhaul the 4014 coal tender, convert it to oil, then return it to UP. Then the "correct" tender for 3985 will be returned to RHMA.

Or is my aging recollection off the tracks?

KD

@sleepmac posted:

There were 2 generators on the flatcar.

Don't remember seeing any generators.

I saw cables running from each generator to 3985 and 5511.

Those were not "cables", but red air hoses used to jumper the train line brake pipe around the two dead steam locomotives.

What were those cables for?

See above answer.

I wonder too, why weren't the side rods detached to reduce wear on the rods while moving 'cold'?

Removing all the side rods would have put all the running gear machinery out of balance. Thus, the speed would have been limited to not much more than 10MPH. Greasing the rod bearings every 50 to 100 miles was not an issue.

Thank you,

Dan Weinhold

@superwarp1 posted:

The excitement is these engines are going to be restored and run again and I’d bet without the aid of a diesel unlike 4014.  This is just step one.

I imagine that Step two is giving them a place to be able to run! Hopefully part of the deal is an arrangement to give them at least some access to run on UP property.

Last edited by breezinup
@breezinup posted:

I imaging that Step two is giving them a place to be able to run! Hopefully part of the deal is an arrangement to give them at least some access to run on UP property.

Nope. The managers on the UP will not want any part of those donated locomotives, especially since they do NOT have PTC, which would not be necessary on the Iowa Interstate Railroad. Besides, the UP has their own "steam program" in 844 and 4014.

@Hot Water posted:

Nope. The managers on the UP will not want any part of those donated locomotives, especially since they do NOT have PTC, which would not be necessary on the Iowa Interstate Railroad. Besides, the UP has their own "steam program" in 844 and 4014.

Will there be somewhere they'll be able to go other than on the Iowa Interstate?

Last edited by breezinup
@Hot Water posted:

Probably not, but Iowa Interstate is a pretty good sized RR.

It just seems that going back and forth over fairly dull countryside between the relatively remote, small cities of Council Bluffs and Peoria seems a less than ideal place to put these large locomotives "out to pasture."

On the other hand, there is a lot of pasture where they're going.

Last edited by breezinup

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