Plans for UP's 3985 to pull excursions for this weekends Denver's frontier days and lionel collectors club have been scrapped after needed repair work failed to be completed by the deadline. UP's 844 will sub for both trips, with the known addition of a Centennial for the lionel run on monday.

I bought tickets for 3985 with no knowledge it was not running at the time, now wondering if I should drive 2000 miles just to ride 844.

Anyone have more information on this?

Funny,

I never saw the 3985 advertised as the power for any of this year's trips.

Crosby

http://www.lionelcollectors.org/convention/
"Tour 1 – The UP/LCCA Steam Train Special
Monday, July 26
On Monday, we have scheduled a trip behind the legendary Union Pacific Challenger 3985 (based on its availability in good working order) for a trip from Denver to Cheyenne, WY. This behemoth is the largest operating steam locomotive on the planet. Nobody does railroading—especially steam railroading—better than the Union Pacific. This all-day adventure may well be your last opportunity to ride behind one of the most famous locomotives of all time. Count on at least one photo run-by, and visit the UP shops and roundhouse in Cheyenne."

I have no idea about the frontier days special, however when I called organizers at lionel today about the switch (they gave the info I posted above)they said UP had planned to do both trips with 3985

I would be happy to be able to ride a 4-8-4!! Here in the Northeast all we have is little 2-8-0 (Kettles) going no more than 15 mph on 90lb rail

yeah, but I rode and will ride 4-8-4 261 alot,at speed, right here in my own backyard.

You already planned on going so, I don't see what the big deal is?

My wife just quit her job, Now trying to save money. It was never idea to go, but I didn't want to miss a chance of riding 3985 while she was still in service. We were going to go to yellowstone while out that far anyway, but that got cut to out due to expense, so now just a round trip to denver. I was planning on catching 844 when she came a little closer this fall to IA.

Whats wrong with the 3985 that could make this statement true?

My sage advice:

If you haven't ridden behind 844 at all or lately or on that particular segment, GO.

"Tomorrow never comes."

Ask ANY steam fan in NS territory who didn't ride behind 611 or 1218 or 4501 or 722 or 630, thinking "there's always next year." Or anyone who chased but didn't ride C&O 614. Or PRR "7002"/1223. Or Frisco 1522. Or PRR 1361. Or Reading 2102. Or PM 1225, or NKP 765. Or some poor schmoe who's going to pass on riding 4449 or 3751, thinking "there's always next time."

This question seems more about rail-fanning than about preservation... lets stay away from the foaming...

Your friendly moderation, Randy

This question seems more about rail-fanning than about preservation... lets stay away from the foaming...

Your friendly moderator, Randy

[quote="

Ask ANY steam fan in NS territory who didn't ride behind 611 or 1218 or 4501 or 722 or 630, thinking "there's always next year." Or anyone who chased but didn't ride C&O 614. Or PRR "7002"/1223. Or Frisco 1522. Or PRR 1361. Or Reading 2102. Or PM 1225, or NKP 765."[/quote]

Amen to that!! In my 14 years of living I have not seen a single mainline steam excursion on Conrail and now NS. And by the way things are looking it will be like that for a long time. Although NS is restarting there steam program I know that there is a 99% chance that it will never make it's way up here to the Northeast.

wasn't trying to be too foamish, just wanted to know if anyone knew what was going on with 3985

Let me add another hearty Amen to that one also. Those of us in the southeast learned the hard way thinking there would always be another year. It's quite amazing how fast things can stop when you get under the mistaken belief that it will always be there.

NOTHING is permanent except change.

Hi,

I know you are new to RYPN, and since this is a railroad preservation board and not a foamer forum, I think it is appropriate to nicely point out that your view may not exactly align with the facts or the opinions of this community.

There are, I believe, only three 2-8-0's running in the northeast out of 20-some operable steam locomotives on the rails this summer.

I think you will find that this board is quite content with those operations. This community includes quite a few of those responsible for such machines & operations, and I think you will find that we respect and honor such efforts - speed & size being a non-issue.

Of course, personal likes are not to be ignored. If you visit and support the operations at Steamtown or the Reading & Northern you will find much bigger power and much faster speeds.

Either way, support your local preservation operation with money, time or even just good old online encouragement and thanks (whichever you can afford or find appropriate).

All the best,

Rob