3985 Rolling, rolling, rolling, keep them doggies rolling, rawhide

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kmatthews

Chased 3985 through NE Texas this afternoon. Light rains, heavy haze and fog made for some good for smoke and steam, digital camera had problems deciding what to focus on and light settings. Should have stuck to tried and true 35 SLR.

Train running a little behind the advertised, 10-15 min. late, but seemed to be making it up after it left Omaha, TX service stop. Heavy local turnout, Cotton Belt hasn't seen steam since the 819 last ran down to Tyler back about '93. Every grade crossing packed with folks... Anywhere the main road was within site it was bumper to bumper... Pays to plan ahead and have several out of the way spots picked out, well spaced out along the line.

Good luck to you furthur down the line! Good Hunting!

I was going to get some shot from the old gladewater overpass just 2 blks east
of duncan st crossing in Tyler but to much rain no place for the kids
finnaly found a spot to park near the depot got some good shots got 1 from my house
I live next to the UP ex SSW line near the Hwy 271 overpass beside (brookshires)
southwest dairy plant one crossing behind keys fittness has a good view of the west
end of the last siding before tyler's UP yd


also I noticed a string of double stacks on the west end siding in Chandler 10 miles west
of tyler been there for a few weeks wonder whats the deal well i got to find a way to post some pics im on a library computer to po to buy one[8D]

[Anonymous]

well 3985 came thru tyler tx ex SSW Cotten Belt Line saturday evening 5:30 pm
left 8 am sunday 1/25/04 should be in houston by now old schedule still good
on return trip so far hope it stays that way senn the steam team go past my
bro's house all trains goin Wbnd go that way so Its gonna be good
P.S. the steam team was very friendly the crew was great they let my brothers kids get a picture in side the cab and blow the whistle I had fun to


To UP Steam Steam & All Employees thanks for A good time see you on the
trip back might take A trip come summer to volunteer my help on UP terf
[bow][bow][bow][bow][bow][bow][bow][bow][bow][bow][bow][bow][bow][bow]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kmatthews

Heavy local turnout, Cotton Belt hasn't seen steam since the 819 last ran down to Tyler back about '93.

And I have video footage of our last trip. It was shot by a Texas film crew. Some of the footage is real good, some of it not. One thing of interest is a man from Canada who came down to ride with us. Of course we didn't know then it was our last trip. But I have fond memories of the trip and some others we made to Tyler. Several of the people who were engine crew members have passed on now. It is sad not to see the 819 running and going on that trip. I always took time off work to help. I do miss it. [:(]

[Anonymous]

Chased 3985 through NE Texas this afternoon. Light rains, heavy haze and fog made for some good for smoke and steam, digital camera had problems deciding what to focus on and light settings. Should have stuck to tried and true 35 SLR.

Train running a little behind the advertised, 10-15 min. late, but seemed to be making it up after it left Omaha, TX service stop. Heavy local turnout, Cotton Belt hasn't seen steam since the 819 last ran down to Tyler back about '93. Every grade crossing packed with folks... Anywhere the main road was within site it was bumper to bumper... Pays to plan ahead and have several out of the way spots picked out, well spaced out along the line.

Good luck to you furthur down the line! Good Hunting!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

I just heard from several St. Louis people that the 3985 is having some problems and is sidelined in St. Louis till Wednesday. This is bad news. Many people probally will not get the news in time and will be trackside looking for it.

So help spread the news and let people know.

She is fixed and good as new.

According to reports from St. Louis, she is rolling along RIGHT NOW. [^] [:)]

This is Thursday morning so grab the camera and go see her.



I hope Zach is still getting to be the pilot engineer. We will find out in a day or two if he is and did. ( I hope he gets some cab shots [;, Zach, put me down first on the list for them if you did.) [:D]

[Anonymous]

I just called UP and talked to the Kansas City Corridor Manager, who stated the Challenger was due to leave St Louis this morning, Tuesday, Jan 20th, at either 7:44 am or 8:44 am. He advised this was according to the updated train schedule.

[Anonymous]

I am sorry for all those who made a trip and found out to late their trip was wasted. [:(]

As soon as I heard about the breakdown I posted about it trying to help people not brave the cold for nothing. If I would have known sooner I would have posted sooner. [V]

Word is getting out now. Hopefully noone will be left out in the cold for nothing.

[espeefoamer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ozarkrailfan

News came to late for this fellow. Drove 125 miles just to find out it was cancelled. I was disapointed to say the least. I did manage to spot an ALCO amongst a mixed freight train though.

You went to see one Alco,and saw a different one instead.Not as good as a steamer,but an Alco is an Alco!

[Anonymous]

Lucky you MArk. Im jealous. That Bridge is a hell of a bridge.

However I plan to intercept this engine at either Hickory Springs or Pine Bluff. One way or another I will see this monster.

[Anonymous]

Yep. The Karma Kredit Plan caught up to Uncle Pete. They decided to move those jobs to Omaha and wham! The 3985 breaks down! Works well for me though. I get to watch it tackle the MacArthur bridge from my office window now on Wendesday...sweet.

Mark

[Bergie]

Hi Guys,

There was more information about the 3985 being down in today's Trains News Wire: http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/004/837kzdhq.asp

Do you think it was fate that one week after UP announced they were moving 1,000 jobs from St. Louis to Omaha, that their steam locomotive broke down in St. Louis?

Erik

[Anonymous]

UPTRAIN I fell sorry for you and eveyone who waited to see it

[JoeKoh]

Hi
I know the feeling what your going through. a trip was planned for N&W 611 J but was cancelled at the last minute.i waited and waited in continental ohio for it to come through.alas no luck.however ns did send me some nice pics though.bring extra film extra batteries and happy hunting.[:)]
stay safe
Joe

[Anonymous]

i am glad i found out late last night. i was going to get up at 5am and head for st louis this morning.

it sucks that it will be sitting till wednesday. i have to get back on the road monday and i probibly will be headed to the west coast again. oh well...maybe i can catch it on the return trip down in little rock.

[ozarkrailfan]

It was an RS-?. I'm not sure which. My view was partially blocked by some grain hoppers next to a silo there in Bernie, MO so I didn't get a long look at it. I also don't know enough to tell the difference.

[ozarkrailfan]

Sorry jhhtrainsplanes no pics. I was to busy staring at it to get out the camera. I suppose it was once a Cotton Belt engine from the look of the orange and gray paint scheme.

[UPTRAIN]

ALCO eh....what kind....and rr......oh and jhhtrainsandplains....look at the post times identical.....woah.....they're like clones [8)]

[UPTRAIN]

DAMN I FEEL SORRY FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I HOPE UP IS MORE PREPARED FOR THIS KIND OF SITUATON IN THE FUTURE!!!!!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ozarkrailfan

News came to late for this fellow. Drove 125 miles just to find out it was cancelled. I was disapointed to say the least. I did manage to spot an ALCO amongst a mixed freight train though.

Sorry about your wasted trip. [:(] I know how I would feel. It wouldn't be good [:(!] [V]

Did you get any pics of the Alco? If you did you can email me one. I like Alcos.

[ozarkrailfan]

News came to late for this fellow. Drove 125 miles just to find out it was cancelled. I was disapointed to say the least. I did manage to spot an ALCO amongst a mixed freight train though.

[UPTRAIN]

I think the schedule will remain the same just 3 days behind it won't be in Arkansas untill Thursday or so.

[UPTRAIN]

I mean the block house. [:D]

[UPTRAIN]

will do SSW man

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Theblockhouse

Will you post a new scheduald if you can find it out. I live in Eastern Arkansas on the Cotten Belt line. It was due through our area tomorrow. Will want to know when to expect it.

Theblockhouse [8D]

Welcome to the forums [:)]

I hope Zach will help keep us posted as much as he can. [:)]

And other railroaders and railfans along the way can help too. Just let us know when it passes you. [:)]

[UPTRAIN]

I hope I still get to ride it.....as for the coal.....it was the funniest thing to see em just kinda tip over and tear through a crossing.....[:D].....near my hometown there was a bunch of folks near the tracks......I said, "yall waiting for the challenger?" They were like yeah....I said yall pack a lunch?....they said "no...why?" I said, "It'll be here Wednesday....maybe....then I told them the story......[:(]

[The Block House]

Will you post a new scheduald if you can find it out. I live in Eastern Arkansas on the Cotten Belt line. It was due through our area tomorrow. Will want to know when to expect it.

[UPTRAIN]

Oh yeah, The problem was like a busted pipe.....I think steam condensed in the boiler/cylinders somewhere and froze which broke a pipe.....YOU MEAN THERE ARE NO ACE HARDWARE STORES IN STL?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

[Anonymous]

Zach [:)]

Sorry you didn't get to go this trip. [:(]

Do you still get to ride in it? [?]

We hope you do.

[UPTRAIN]

I was supposed to ride in the cab today and found out where it hasd spent the last few days....also it was blocked by a small coal train derailment (6 cars) near the McArthur bridge approach by the Amtrak station, it ripped the road up when it derailed on a crossing!!!!! WHAT A DAMN MESSED UP DAY!!!!!!