Well, its about as official as you are gonna get.. UP 3985 retired.

[EspeeGoldenState]

This was posted earlier in a facebook group:

Least modeler's can make it live on.

[C855B]

Sad, but not a surprise. Ever since the 4014 project was in its "serious inquiry" stage there was much staring at the ground and shuffling of feet by Ed and others whenever asked about the Challenger.

In its memory:

[Hawghead]

Well if the Challenger needs a complete restoration, then I guess it makes sense.  I would have preferred they restore the Challenger instead of the Big boy if for no other reason the Big boy looks ridiculous with that passenger train.  But nothing says Union Pacific like the Big boy so from a PR standpoint I guess it was the right move.

Scott

[nkalanaga]

Another advantage of restoring the Big Boy is that 3985 could be kept on the roster, if not active, while they were doing it.

Sounds like it needs as much work as the Big Boy, so it was a toss-up which to do.  As long as it isn't scrapped, it can always be restored in the future.  Eventually the big Boy will need major work, and then maybe they'll bring 3985 back.

[CRL]

I hope they mothball the Challenger so it doesn’t deteriorate further. I’ve always liked the Challengers more than the Big Boys.

[C855B]

I hope they mothball the Challenger so it doesn’t deteriorate further. I’ve always liked the Challengers more than the Big Boys.

It's out of the weather, at least, currently stored in the rightmost bay in the Cheyenne roundhouse. Two (three?) bays to the right of 2-10-2 5511, which according to Ed will never see running rails as long as the track department has a say in the matter.

[nkalanaga]

I'm sure they'll take good care of it.  The stockholders may not care, but it would be a public relations disaster to scrap it!

Maybe they could find a closed warehouse somewhere in Cheyenne and start a steam museum?  The locos would be handy if they ever decided to restore them, and they'd have an indoor facility where they could display other steam-related memorabilia.  They'd have a tourist attraction, and it would keep curious people away from the shops.

[CRL]

It's out of the weather, at least, currently stored in the rightmost bay in the Cheyenne roundhouse. Two (three?) bays to the right of 2-10-2 5511, which according to Ed will never see running rails as long as the track department has a say in the matter.

That’s good. As for the 2-10-2 5511, I read somewhere that the track department hates it because it beats the living crap out of the rails. Is that correct?

[C855B]

That’s good. As for the 2-10-2 5511, I read somewhere that the track department hates it because it beats the living crap out of the rails. Is that correct?

Yeah, I mentioned the situation a while ago in a post here. This says it all:

[CBQ Fan]

This move does not surprise me at all.  While it makes a difference to a small segment of the population having two very similar locos (to the uninformed rail fan) you would always want the bigger one.  Keeping both up and running at the same time is a bit of a stretch.

[sundowner]

At least for now her tender still rides behind 4014, she is two of a kind so I don't think she will be scrap, for now she will live next to 838 and 5511.

[jpwisc]

When Ed was scouting the route to Duluth, MN, he checked out the DMIR Yellowstones (2-8-8-4). With the three units available and the condition, he commented that it would only take $5M to get one running. I can only imagine what the price tag would be to get the 3895 going again.

[Hawghead]

That’s good. As for the 2-10-2 5511, I read somewhere that the track department hates it because it beats the living crap out of the rails. Is that correct?

I'd find it hard to believe that the 2-10-2 pounds the rails harder that a 10,000' 24,000 ton Potash train.

Scott

[delamaize]

I'd find it hard to believe that the 2-10-2 pounds the rails harder that a 10,000' 24,000 ton Potash train.

Scott

I assume you're referring to a modern Potash train. Their is a huge difference between the stress Diesels, and a heavy train puts on the rails, and the Hammer-blows that come from Steam locomotives, regardless of load. Heavier, and larger the locomotive, the worse the effect. It can be countered some with counter weights and balancing, but the counter-weighting it's self can cause hammer-blow.....

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I assume you're referring to a modern Potash train. Their is a huge difference between the stress Diesels, and a heavy train puts on the rails, and the Hammer-blows that come from Steam locomotives, regardless of load. Heavier, and larger the locomotive, the worse the effect. It can be countered some with counter weights and balancing, but the counter-weighting it's self can cause hammer-blow.....

And don't forget the issues with the wheelbase too. Ten coupled drivers are gonna be trying to "straighten the bends" a good bit more than a simple 6 axle truck will.