UNION PACIFIC TO DONATE CHALLENGER 3985 & OTHER EQUIPMENT

heatermason · **Joined:** Sat Jan 18, 2020 1:12 am **Posts:** 42

Some photos at Cheyenne 2017

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nedsn3 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 28, 2022 4:01 pm

The 2-10-2 is cosmetically excellent but supposedly mechanically worn out. As noted above it may be missing parts too. I'm surprised and disappointed that they are getting rid of 3985. But they rebuilt 4014 so I guess you can't have everything.

NJDixon · **Joined:** Mon Dec 06, 2021 4:36 pm **Posts:** 363

What's the condition of the #6936? It was listed on UP's site as "now travels on occasion as part of the UP Heritage Fleet" but hasn't been out and about since 2016(?).

mcgrath618 · **Joined:** Mon Feb 15, 2021 6:54 pm **Posts:** 230

NJDixon wrote:

What's the condition of the #6936? It was listed on UP's site as "now travels on occasion as part of the UP Heritage Fleet" but hasn't been out and about since 2016(?).

Railfan article states that it is apparently in operating condition.

David Dewey · **Posted:** Thu Apr 28, 2022 4:19 pm

Reportedly, the 3985 has been somewhat cannibalized also for the 4014 restoration. Likely a very expensive restoration project now.

Mark Hedges · **Posted:** Thu Apr 28, 2022 4:46 pm

CA1 wrote:

Interesting they've kept the 838, you'd think they've basically made all the extra parts they might need, and at this point wouldn't want to cannibalize more of it.

Also interesting they've let go of the dd40 but kept the E units ( thankfully)

can't see an independent museum group etc restoring the 3985. But the 2-10-2 would be neat.

Not sure how many groups would want 838 given it's current state, at least from the pics I have seen. It's pretty stripped down.

heatermason · **Joined:** Sat Jan 18, 2020 1:12 am **Posts:** 42

"Not sure how many groups would want 838 given it's current state, at least from the pics I have seen. It's pretty stripped down"

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Steamguy73 · **Joined:** Wed Dec 24, 2014 3:15 pm **Posts:** 635

The E9B listed as being given is not the one that was used with the other E9’s. It is the one in the Cheyenne yard in Amtrak livery.

Crescent-Zephyr · **Joined:** Wed Jan 20, 2016 1:15 pm **Posts:** 1799

p51 wrote:

I'm unfamiliar with the group this stuff is going to, but from the list, it does make some sense. 5511 was never going to run for the UP again from what I've read over the years.

This is the same organization that operates the 261 and the many heritage cars they own. This equipment is in great hands and I'm excited for the future.

They are planning on restoring both locomotives to operation.

RailMech3 · **Joined:** Sun Jan 02, 2022 10:21 am **Posts:** 56

I have really high hopes for all of this. Time will tell the true condition of everything. One side says it’s in basic operating condition. The other side says it needs an entire rebuild.

I’m hoping they allow volunteers. I may be able to come play trains at some point. It would be a long days drive but could be worth it. Tinkering with a DD40 should be plenty of fun!

Les Beckman · **Joined:** Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:25 pm **Posts:** 6482

Nice bit of news. And the hopes for 2-10-2 # 5511 are interesting. But, wasn't there a group that was attempting to restore one of the surviving Southern Pacific (ex-T&NO) 2-10-2's to operation? Is that a project that's still in the works? Or.....?

Les

Steamguy73 · **Joined:** Wed Dec 24, 2014 3:15 pm **Posts:** 635

Les Beckman wrote:

Nice bit of news. And the hopes for 2-10-2 # 5511 are interesting. But, wasn't there a group that was attempting to restore one of the surviving Southern Pacific (ex-T&NO) 2-10-2's to operation? Is that a project that's still in the works? Or.....?

Les

Yes, I didn’t forget that one. But that restoration is still in its infancy, and it is with less resources than Silvis. I believe a restoration at Silvis of 5511 would be done more swiftly than SP 982, even with 3985 ahead in the queue.

No disrespect to the 982 group though. That’s a great project: restoring a fairly size able steam locomotive in a place where there isn’t much big steam action.

NJDixon · **Joined:** Mon Dec 06, 2021 4:36 pm **Posts:** 363

Steamguy73 wrote:

Les Beckman wrote:

Nice bit of news. And the hopes for 2-10-2 # 5511 are interesting. But, wasn't there a group that was attempting to restore one of the surviving Southern Pacific (ex-T&NO) 2-10-2's to operation? Is that a project that's still in the works? Or.....?

Les

Yes, I didn’t forget that one. But that restoration is still in its infancy, and it is with less resources than Silvis. I believe a restoration at Silvis of 5511 would be done more swiftly than SP 982, even with 3985 ahead in the queue.

No disrespect to the 982 group though. That’s a great project: restoring a fairly size able steam locomotive in a place where there isn’t much big steam action.

I wish them the best but the #982 restoration has a lot of red flags: a museum with no webpage, no actual physical site, who is openly saying on social media that they are running out of funds announcing that they are going to restore a large steam locomotive with a long rigid wheelbase that hasn't run in 70 years and has no tender. Not the most confidence inspiring.

hullmat991 · **Joined:** Sun Dec 28, 2014 11:12 pm **Posts:** 232

CA1 wrote:

Interesting they've kept the 838, you'd think they've basically made all the extra parts they might need, and at this point wouldn't want to cannibalize more of it.

I could have sworn it was mentioned in a post or interview some years back that part of the reason why 838 was kept around was that its boiler was in fairly good shape if UP decided to do a swap.

heatermason · **Joined:** Sat Jan 18, 2020 1:12 am **Posts:** 42

Steamguy73 wrote:

The E9B listed as being given is not the one that was used with the other E9’s. It is the one in the Cheyenne yard in Amtrak livery.

Perhaps peaking out from behind CNW 402:

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