UP Challenger No. 3985 Will Remain Officially Retired

[The Ferro Kid]

From the Union Pacific Steam Club Update:


The Challenger No. 3985 Will Remain Officially Retired

Since work was completed on No. 4014 people have asked about the fate of The Challenger No. 3985.

The short answer: There are no plans to restore No. 3985. Many years of hard operation have resulted in the locomotive requiring a complete frame-up restoration similar to what was needed to make No. 4014 operational. Historically, Union Pacific's steam program has had two steam locomotives on its roster, and that count will remain the same moving forward.

No. 3985 last operated in "regular" train service in 1957. It was retired in 1962 and stored in the roundhouse in Cheyenne, Wyoming, until 1975 when it was placed on display near the Cheyenne depot. A group of Union Pacific employees volunteered their services to restore the locomotive to running condition in 1981.

Where No. 3985 will ultimately reside is still in question, but it's safe to say the locomotive will remain officially retired from service.

[edwardsutorik]

Until it's not.

I think it's neat that UP bothers to have TWO working steam locos (and there's that 4-6-0, also. Right?). I'm gonna look at this as giving the Challenger a well-deserved bit of time off.

IF it's desired to bring 3985 back to service, all it takes is money. There's inspections and certifications and doing what it takes to pass them. And then, while you're at it, doing preventive maintenance. Etc. Probably pretty much what it took to get 4014 running.

IF UP wants to have a steam program, they'll probably cycle through their available equipment in what they hope is an efficient manner.



Ed

[kentuckysouthernrwy]

It saddens me as I've been a Challenger fan since starting the hobby and admiring the Bowser kit....went so far as to buy a tender. Now a couple of Challengers in my fleet doesn't hurt either. Original Lionel HO.