The Union Pacific steam program will undertake a modest change in the 2010 season in an effort to make the operation self-sufficient. Taking a cue from the little Pennsylvania steam short line, the Strasburg Railroad, U.P.'s big "Challenger" type steam locomotive, 3985, will be leased to several eastern railroads this season. The Union Pacific, tapping into the popularity of the English "Thomas the Tank Engine" series, has signed an agreement with the owners of the "Thomas" trademark. Spokesperson Crandal Berry, of the Union Pacific, notes that "Union Pacific's recognition factor, along with Thomas's, should prove a 'winning combination' in terms of attracting revenue from the youngest rail fans and their Grandpas.
At this time, CSX and Norfolk Southern are on board with the lease agreement. Says Mr. Berry, "If a little blue locomotive can engender such passion for railroading among American children, imagine what a big blue locomotive can do!"

U.P. has released a press image for trips in the upcoming year.

April first comes early this year...

You just couldn't wait another 3 or 4 hours to post this, could you? ;)

I do like the challenger with the Thomas face. Someone should try modeling that.

It was late in the East, and I knew April 1st would be well along before I could post . Now tell me you're not pleased to see at least one spoof. At least I didn't try to sell the U.P. finding another lost Challenger in a quarry!

even if true the 3985 could have clearance problems, 4449 had a lot of clearance problems going to Oswego and was re-routed from downtown chicago.

Engines are bigger in the old west :)

They had several problems back in 1992 when 3985 came east for the Clinchfield Santa Train. Clearance problems, weight problems and facilities for turning arose several times. Still would be awesome.

Didn't Steve Lee say something like "Never again, not even if Hell froze over" after the Clinchfield outing?

Perhaps that locomotive should be wearing a frown?

It will be after Thomas' lawyers get wind of the idea... :)

In not so many words, I believe you could have taken Steven Lee to say just that. And who could blame him, at one point they turned her on a wye half owned by CSX and half owned by NS and NS restricted her to 5mph on their leg, a little overkill I think.

Man, I wish that pic hadn't been deleted. This topic loses much of its value without it, and it's one of my favorite ones from this time period.

Fortunately, Google never forgets, at least in thumbnail size.
(Fair use as parody under 17 U.S.C. § 107)

To compete with the blue british tank engine, we've come up with this idea: "Ollie the Trolley." If only someone would create a cartoon character like Ollie and put it on PBS for Museums like ours that can't do a "Day out with you know who."

Thanks!

Day out with Voldemort?
Who would go to that?? Wait, not sure I wanna know...