Testament to the folks in North Platte who maintain UP Challenger 3977 (3710) in the park there. Unlike most park displays whose cabs become vandalized urinals, this one looks like an operable locomotive:

http://abpr.railfan.net/abprphoto.cgi?m ... yG3977.jpg

Question: Why does the locomotive carry a different number, and what kind of operative condition is it maintained in?

I recall the UP identified classified Challengers by number seried between oil burners and coal burners. Thus 3710 was the number when this engine bruned coal. I remember UP 3985 had a similar renumbering when it was converted to oil in excursion service.

Wesley

3977 was built in 1943, converted to oil in 1945 an renumberd to 3710 in 1952. I don't know the reason for the renumbering though.

I belive 3985 has always been 3985.

UP's late model coal burning 4-6-6-4's were numbered in the 3900 series. Those that were converted to oil in the 50's were re-numbered in the 3700 series. 3977 became 3710. After 3710 was retired, it was retained by UP for use as a snow melter in North Platte. When it was finally retired and placed on display, it got its original number back.

3985 has always carried its original number even after conversion to oil firing in the late 1980's. At one time, they briefly renumbered her to #3718 for one trip, the number she would have carried if the practice of the 1950's had been followed. But for obvious reasons, there was no reason to renumber her thirty years after steam operations ended on the UP, hence she retains her original number.

I visited Cody Park in North Platte this past spring. The Challenger, Centennial and the entire place are immaculate. If only all park engines could be this well taken care of. Well worth the trip if you're nearby.

thanks for sharing!

Am I remembering correctly that this engine was used to help out the restoration of 3985 and then cosmetically restored by UP before going to the park?

I remember seeing a photo in a railroad magazine back in the 80's I beleive of both engines together.

Please correct me if I am wrong.

JD Johnson, Morehead and North Fork Railroad Historian

I have an "official" book about the restoration of #3985 that I bought aboard a #3985 excursion some years ago. It mentions that some parts (not specified which) from #3977 were used in the restoration of #3985, but the two were never together. #3985 was restored in the late '70s and began operating in 1981. #3977 was placed in Cody Park in 1968.

You may have seen pictures of #3985 and Big Boy #4023, which were stored together in the Cheyenne roundhouse until the mid '70s when #3985 was placed on display outside the Cheyenne station and #4023 was sent to Omaha for display. My book states that #4023 also provided parts in restoring #3985

I heard they used the oil tank from 3977 when they converted 3985. I'm not sure about other parts.

Last time I was in North Platte was about 11 years ago now, but I was VERY impressed with the condition of not only the 3977 and Centennial in Cody park, but also the 2-8-0 across town in Memorial Park.