I keep getting reports on steamlocomotive.info that these two locomotives have already moved to Silvis. I haven't been able to confirm this, but am doubtful it could have been done without a lot of fanfare.

Does anyone know if this is correct, or if not, when the move is scheduled to occur?

5511 and 3985 have not yet been moved.

No move date has been officially announced.

Oh, they could do it with no advance notice, but the internet would explode before they got very far outside of Cheyenne.

It's about 800 miles from Cheyenne to Silvis so a daytime only move could take 5 days. I don't see UP putting a high priority on this move. I'm sure we will see prep work done long before the trip starts.

Probably a wee-bit off the original question, but does anyone know the true condition of the 5511? I've seen an entire spectrum of reports, ranging from "it's in terrible mechanical condition because it was used as a static boiler" to "I talked to a UP employee once and they said it could be restored in less than a year." I don't know if UP has ever really run any tests on it since there would be no point, since there haven't been any restoration efforts up to this point.

Check the images I posted under the other thread.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=46664

if you ask me the new owners should focus on 5511 to get it into operation instead of 3985. I know it would be nice to see 3985 operate again but after 30 years of excursion service I have to say 3985 had it's time in the sun and now it should be 5511's turn. The UP felt like it's not a good idea to restore 3985 because they felt like it makes no sense because of it's condition.

5511 has been kept indoors since the 50s so it should be in really good condition. 5511 is a better choice because it's so much lighter and smaller than 3985 which makes cheaper to operate and maintain plus because of it's size it can travel in more places where 3985 can't.

that's my two cents.

This whole donation will get interesting. I wonder what will come out of the woodwork as to condition of each locomotive. I highly doubt Silvis will say “3985 is actually in fairly good condition.” Even if it is. Too many politics at play. But it could get interesting indeed. I can’t wait to see everything arrive in Silvis.

Personally I can’t wait to see the 6936 move under its own power again. I have a lot of good memories with the 3985. But the 5511 is more reasonable to attack first, just because of its size compared to the other locomotives.

I wish them luck, if they were closer to me I would certainly volunteer. I do not have the expendable funds to donate much sadly.

No, they just decided that the steam program didn't need three operating steamers. Her condition didn't factor against her and they were early on fully prepared to give her the same treatment the 844 received, before changing course.

A lot of the components shared by both classes that had been ordered for the 4014 restoration were also purchased for the 3985 at the same time, before that change of plans. Demonstrates that they were serious about the job and that the 3985's condition that had already been evaluated, wouldn't preclude a restoration.

Based on what they found on 844 (assuming that's true) I can't imagine 3985 is in good condition, but who knows. I know UP has a set standard used for 844 and 4014 that RRHMA has agreed to use for 3985. I'm sure it will get PTC as well on a "just incase" basis. I'm more intrigued about the 5511. It was really a curve ball and no one really thought it would get restored. It'll be interesting to see what condition its in internally.

I agree that it would make more sense to get 5511 up and going first. Unless the locomotive is in terrible shape, it would probably be a quicker restoration than 3985 and would draw crowds to hype up the RRHMA. It would also be a good event to have people come out to and set up a donation area. Or they could cater to the railfans and do a "tour of the shops for a donation" type of thing, assuming it could be done safely with the NRE equipment still being there. Come to think of it, the 6988 would probably get done around the same time, so there would be opportunities to have both 6988 and 5511 under steam side by side or a double header (I can't imagine how bad the traffic would be for that chase though) to really compare an American-made 2-10-2 and a Chinese made.

Or maybe they'll end up getting a smaller project that could be completed in a short time frame. I don't know of a locomotive that would be a reasonably quick project to complete, but perhaps a Pacific or Hudson comes to mind. It's too bad there's nothing to trade to the owners of ATSF 3415, that would be a good one to overhaul and run there. I guess we'll see what happens.

The 3985 didn't have a lot of miles on her after her last major rebuild in the 1950's.

Her restoration to service back around 1980 was mostly focused on repairing what years of idleness and a few years of outdoor display had done to her, since she was retired in such good shape and wasn't retired worn out. After that, work was focused on what was necessary to keep her safely running like mandatory boiler work, with her mostly relying on the remaining life left from her rebuild in the 1950's.

She's still in good shape, but has used up what Union Pacific had put back into her during her last classified repairs in the 50's. She now needs what amounts to Class 3 repairs to tackle the thousands of miles on her during her excursion days.

She's starting off in better shape than many other restoration candidates have. But she's also a giant and it's going to be expensive. But they know that and seem prepared to take on the challenge.

yeah LeoA it would be expensive to operate 3985 the new owners wouldn't have the capitol to do something like this at least that's what I think. like i said 5511 is better choice. It's cheaper and easier to operate 5511 because it's smaller, lighter and gives it more places to operate.

I wouldn't bet against this group. They seem well ran and confident.

My money is on the 3985 being in steam again before the decade is out.

Great picture of 3985 and 4014 together and i hope is not the last time

Link
https://www.facebook.com/RailroadingHeritage/photos/a.102457585667968/154212993825760/

The new group definitely has the money, from what I'm told, for both restorations already, as well as about 85% of the equipment needed for the work. The donations are being raised to soften to blow so they can consider other projects should they acquire additional steam locomotives. I remember seeing a post somewhere from RRHMA that mentioned they estimated 7 million total for both 3985 and 5511. I don't know if that sounds right or not; I guess it depends on the true condition of both locomotives. I agree though that seeing 5511 restored first would probably give them a running locomotive more quickly compared to 3985. But I understand why the 3985 is going first, considering the hype around it and they're probably wanting to get it done in time to do something with 4014 before it hits its 15-year/1,472-day.