How close will the 3985 be to the stadium? Will it be close enough to possibly see it from the blimp?



hiawatha261@yahoo.com

> How close will the 3985 be to the stadium?
> Will it be close enough to possibly see it
> from the blimp?

I can't answer about whether the blimp will be able to photograph it; but I can tell you where it is parked.

It is parked just two blocks east of Reliant Stadium. The Interstate (I-610 loop) and Astroworld is immediately south of Reliant Stadium and runs east/west, the UP Special is parked pointing north away from the interstate.

My family and I were in Houston last Monday to see it arrive; it was a sight indeed.

Surviving World Steam Locomotives
james@survivingworldsteam.com

Thanks for the responces.

Have there been any other times when the 3985 or any other U.S. steam locomotives have taken part in any major, non-railfan related event?


hiawatha261@yahoo.com

> Thanks for the responces.

> Have there been any other times when the
> 3985 or any other U.S. steam locomotives
> have taken part in any major, non-railfan
> related event?

During the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics, the Heber Valley railroad provided train-and-sleigh shuttle service to Soldier Hollow, site of the Biathlon, Cross Country and Nordic Combined skiing events. Ex-Union Pacific #618, ex-Great Western #75 and Nevada Northern #93 (all 2-8-0s) were showcased during all 16 days of the Olympics. One some days, all three engines were in service. On others, one engine was rotated out for maintenance. In all cases, the engines stayed hot 24/7 for 18 days, and then ran a series of photo freights for Dave Goodheart.

The three locomotives also participated in a spectacular triple-header for the Olympic Torch Relay, between Soldier Hollow and Heber City, on the day before the opening ceremony in Salt Lake City.

Heber Valley Railroad
clacey@hebervalleyrr.org

> Thanks for the responces.

> Have there been any other times when the
> 3985 or any other U.S. steam locomotives
> have taken part in any major, non-railfan
> related event?

Yes.

4449 was somewhat involved in the Olympics at Los Angeles in the 1980's, and went to the World's Fair in New Orleans in 1984.

UP's 8444 went to the World's Fairs in Spokane in 1974 and was on display throughout the New Orleans fair in 1984. 3985 was at the Republican Convention in Houston in 1992 and the Democratic Convention in LA in 2000.

Many engines have been involved in various state centennials, sequicentennials, etc.

And of course, 4449, AFT 1, and 610 pulled the American Freedom Train for 2 years.

> Thanks for the responces.

> Have there been any other times when the
> 3985 or any other U.S. steam locomotives
> have taken part in any major, non-railfan
> related event?

Actually, I'd venture to say that at least half of all steam operations over the past 20 years or so have been something other than directly targeted to railfans. Which is not to say that fans didn't benefit from them; just that it wasn't by and/or for fans only.

Examples: The Chessie and CSX Safety Express trains and the BN and BNSF Employee Appreciation Specials and UP's Cheyenne Frontier Days Special. Those are naything but fantrips.

Railfan events tend to be NRHS convention rellated and NRHS-chapter (and other fan groups) chartered trips.