As of September 17 2012, UP 3985 was in the Cheyenne steam shops with the boiler jacketing off, and some insulation peeled away. I made friends with one of the boilermakers on the steam crew at Railfest in North Platte last year and got to ride the 844 from North Platte to Cheyenne this year, and he told me that it was going to be down for 3-5 years for the 1472 service days or 15 year FRA mandated boiler inspection/overhaul.
In other news, next year the 844 will slow down alot and the 3985 will be getting some much needed attention.
[quote user="nwo4rf"]
I was in the roundhouse on July 3rd. It was told to me that 3985 would be out of service for 2 years. They decided to go and do her "Annual" and replace some flues and other boiler and running gear repairs.
[/quote]
Thanks, nwo4rf:
That makes sense. Some one else, I had read had made mention that 3985 was going to be out of service for a couple of years, the date the had mentioned was in 2014/ 2015 for her to be back in service.
At least she wil be running again!
And thanks for your Post,
and Welcome, Alan Love,jr.!
"...Is it my understanding that UP 3985 had a cracked Boiler?"
Is it my understanding that UP 3985 had a cracked Boiler?
Allan Love Jr
Thechief66 "...I was in the UP steam shop last weekend-the Challenger was disconnected from it's tender and much of the jacketing around the firebox was removed, exposing some very rusty looking staybolts. The UP man we spoke to said it might run next year, but more likely 2014. :( ..."
"...I was in the UP steam shop last weekend-the Challenger was disconnected from it's tender and much of the jacketing around the firebox was removed, exposing some very rusty looking staybolts. The UP man we spoke to said it might run next year, but more likely 2014. :( ..."
The above quotes are from the Thread Started on the Forum in 2012. The 3985 has been down apparently since its last major trip ( Went to Nebraska in the first quARTER OF 2010).
The quote from the Thread dated below and contributed by rsj4trains details several problems that apparently occurred during that Nebraska trip.
"... UP 3985 has been undergoing some major modifications and repairs. The work is being done on a "time-available" basis and is considered secondary to other shop activities necessary to maintain UP 844 and the other equipment.
First, the modifications made to the smoke box and steam exhaust systems prior to the Minnesota trip in 2008 were considered unsuccessful and removed. The original system was re-installed.
Second, one of the springs which is necessary to center the boiler on the articulated frame as the engine comes out of a curve was damaged or lost. New springs was ordered. The new springs apparently had some sort of a defect so a second set was obtained and are being installed. This work is nearly complete or has been completed.
At least one test run will be necessary to determine the success of the modifications and repairs before UP 3985 can return to service. I don't believe the test run has been scheduled.
The next scheduled steam trips are for Cheyenne Frontier Days, July 22-25, 2010. Optimistically, It is possible the the engine could be ready for this trip or one of the future steam trips planned later in September and October. Realistically sometime in 2011 is more likely..."
Here we are entering into the Third Quarter of 2012, apparently 3985 is still being worked on(?).
My guess is that the problems with the 844's tires, and those repairs sabotaged the time line on 3985's repair schedule.
The UP's website does not offer a lot of illumination as to when we'll see the Challenger back running the system. Hopefully, sooner than later.
So the Big Question do any Posters here have any information as to how the 3985's repair schedule is progressing, and some of the repairs and modifications they've been making?
Thanks!
I was in the UP steam shop last weekend-the Challenger was disconnected from it's tender and much of the jacketing around the firebox was removed, exposing some very rusty looking staybolts. The UP man we spoke to said it might run next year, but more likely 2014. :(
Thanks for the news.
I wanted to give a update on the status of the 3985. As of yesterday the 3985 is getting some minor running gear and boiler work done. They said it should be operational around this time next year.
Last time I checked (last year) they were doing work on the front truck and the locomotive was intact. It ran no less than 2 years ago to Nebraska and back. I believe it is operational but still needs quite a bit of smaller work done to get it up and running again. I will visit the steam shop in a few weeks and see what the status is.
UP 844`s string of bad luck as of late has me wondering if 3985 could be filling in instead of the Es.
What is the current status of UP3985?
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