do you think union pacific will add another locomotive and what one do you think they would add if they did whey one do you think

Well, practically speaking, why would they? There would be no reason for them to add another steam engine to the mix. I can't speak for the UP, but I would think they are perfectly happy with the present situation.

I don't think they will add another - apart from perhaps new freight units if traffic conditions warrant.

I think they would add punctuation.

dave

As things stand currently, Union Pacific is barely getting "enough" use out of 844 and 3985 to justify their continued operation. Why add another mouth to feed?

Be aware that UP probably could swap for sister Challenger 3977 in North Platte, Nebraska if necessary; and still has sister 4-8-4 838 squirreled away as a parts supply in the Cheyenne roundhouse, along with UP 2-10-2 5511, which still sits there for unexplained reasons.......

http://www.steamlocomotive.com/northern/upstorage.shtml

What could UP possibly add ? 838 has many parts missing and is just a spares source, 5511 belongs to the City of Cheyenne not UP and is to be displayed at the depot eventually. The only item that Cheyenne is sadly missing is a 8500 series Turbine.
Mind you a 4-12-2 would be fantastic to see operating (not for the track though!)
Mike Pannell
Cheyenne

If you're thinking "Big Boy", think again. It's been discussed many, many, times. I do think a Big Boy may come back eventually, but not in my lifetime. One can only hope that U.P. will continue to carry the flag with extreme pride. Steam power really says "railroading" in the mind's eye.

I just wish they would do more with what they had....
Anyone else here noticed that their 50th anniversary special had seats as high as $1000, and they sold out the whole train in a few hours?
If they are lossing money on that, then we are all doomed, but I would think not, so why not a little more often?

what in thinking is this they are running the wheels off 844. 3985 cant stay running so another northern would be best.

I'm not sure why you think they are running the wheels off the 844 or why the 3985 can't stay running. In a busy year, they probably put as many miles on 844 as they did in a month or so of regular service. Both engines are in excellent condition.
I'll bet Steve Lee would be wealthy if he had a dollar for every time somebody asked him when they are going to "do" a Big Boy.
Be happy with what you have, you'll live longer.

The more pertinent question might be how long can UP justify operating and maintaining two steam locomotives. I hope it's a good long time! If they had to choose between one or the other, it would be interesting to speculate on which loco would stay operating. #844 has the distinction of having been continuously operated by her original owner since she was built in 1944. #3985, on the other hand, is generally recognized as being the world's largest operating steamer and one of only two remaining Challenger-type locomotives, while there are a number of operating Northerns and even more non-op displays.

You should be happy that Union Pacific keeps two modern steam locomotive in flues and fuel,which makes them unique among Class Ones to support such an operation at such a level. I'm not forgetting BNSF,which allows limited operations,Amtrak,who supplies cars and logistics to some operations, Norfolk Southern,which is initiating limited excursions, and CP,operating their Hudson. May they all be successfull in their operations and perhaps even expand. Enjoy what you have.

All this talk about UP 3985, it hasn`t run for a couple of years !
I think they will retire it.

Friends,

This thread is not really preservation related. The "what if" and "which engine" type of stuff is best left to the railfan boards.

Tom Gears
Moderator