3985 Troubles

Alan Levy · **Posted:** Tue Jan 20, 2004 10:45 pm

Hey gang, I found this on Trains.com:

Super Bowl-bound UP Challenger held for repairs in St. Louis

OMAHA, Nebr. Â– Union Pacific's 4-6-6-4 Challenger 3985, on its way from Cheyenne, Wyo. to Houston, Texas for Super Bowl XXXVIII activities, was sidelined in St. Louis, Mo., Saturday when the crew noticed a blister on the circulator tube in the firebox as they were in the process of relighting the boiler, causing a stand-down for repairs. The decision was made to cut out a section of the tube and weld a new piece in place. Plans are to have the steam engine again on its way to Houston by Wednesday morning

alanl759@aol.com

Brian O. · **Posted:** Wed Jan 21, 2004 12:25 am

What exactly is a blister and what is it caused by? Is it due to excessive heat or what? Also is the circulatory tube in the firebox the syphon? Please elaborate

B

William · **Posted:** Wed Jan 21, 2004 9:58 am

Go to the web site below and scroll down through the posts.

Dick

3985 troubles

Ron Goldfeder · **Posted:** Wed Jan 21, 2004 12:01 pm

The departure is now set for 8 am on thursday, subject to change. While they were repairing the circulator pipe it was only about 6 degrees overnight and many pipes froze up. On tuesday they were using torches to thaw these, as well as placing portable heaters under tarps to heat the pipes between engine and tender, etc. Check the UP web site for updates to their schedule.

rdgoldfede@aol.com