CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Union Pacific Challenger No. 3985 took one final ride on UP’s turntable at Cheyenne on Tuesday, as the locomotive prepares for its move to Silvis, Ill., in a trip beginning later this week. The locomotive is paired with the original tender for Big Boy No. 4014, since No. 4014 has been using No. 3985’s original tender.
No. 3985 will be part of the “Heritage Donation Special,” also including 2-10-2 no. 5511, DD40AX No. 6936, and other equipment, departing Cheyenne this Friday, Nov. 11, for the move to Silvis. The full schedule for the trip, slated to conclude Nov. 19, is available at the UP Steam website.
The equipment was donated to Railroading Heritage of Midwest America in an agreement announced earlier this year [see “Railroading Heritage of Midwest America, Union Pacific agree …,” Trains News Wire, April 28, 2022]. The group, which also operates Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 No. 261, plans to restore the locomotives to operating condition. Video by Steve Sandberg.
While I am delighted to see Big Boy 4014 back in service, I was saddened but understanding of why UP retired 3985. Glad to see it’s slated for restoration. I have many fond memories from the 1980s of taking my young sons on Wyoming camping trips to see 3985.
So this the opposite of the Prosperity Special of 1922.
I really hope that Railroading Heritage of Midwest America returns the Challenger, 2-10-2 and DD40AX to operating condition. Stuffed and mounted is fine for a museum piece, but seeing them operate is on a whole different level.