Union Pacific No. 3985

Union Pacific No. 3985
Union Pacific Challenger No. 3985, operating as part of the "Steam Show 1982" on a round trip from Salt Lake City to Provo, UT
Name	The Challenger
Number(s)	3985
Railway(s)	Union Pacific Railroad
Status	Undergoing restoration by the RRHMA to operating condition
Location	Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (RRHMA), Silvis, IL
Technical specifications
Type	4-Cylinder Simple Articulated steam locomotive
Designer(s)	Otto Jabelmann
Serial number(s)	70174
Manufacturer(s)	American Locomotive Company (ALCo)
Manufacturer(s)	ALCo Schenectady Works
Build date	July 1943
Rebuilt	1979-March 1981
Classification	Union Pacific Challenger
Model	Union Pacific Challenger
Wheel arrangement	4-6-6-4
Axles	10
Dia. of Drivers	69 inches (1753 mm)
Dimensions	60 ft 4.5 in (18.402 m) (Locomotive) 121 ft 10+7⁄8 in (37.157 m) (Locomotive and tender)
Weight	627,900 lb (627,900 lb (284,800 kg) (Loco) 446,000 lb (202,000 kg) (Tender) 1,073,900 lb (487,100 kg) (Loco+Tender)
Rail gauge	Standard gauge
Valve gear type	Walschaerts
Cylinders	4
Boiler type	94 inches
Boiler pressure	280lbf/in2
Superheater	Yes
Fuel type	No. 5 oil (originally coal-fired)
Braking	Yes
Performance figures
Maximum speed	70 mph (110km/h) maximum
Tractive effort	97,350 lbf (433.03 kN)
Service information
Entered service	1943-1957
Years in-service	High speed freight on inclined routes
Disposition details
Preserved	Yes
Latest overhaul	Undergoing overhaul as of 2024
Number operational	No

Union Pacific Railroad No. 3985, also known as 'The Challenger', is a 4664-4 class 4-6-6-4 "Challenger" type articulated steam locomotive built by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) in July 1943. It was previously owned and operated by the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) in excursion service as part of their heritage fleet, based in Cheyenne, WY, from April 1981 until being taken out of service indefinitely in October 2010 and later officially retired from excursion service in January 2020. On April 28, 2022, it was donated to the Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (RRHMA), based in Silvis, IL, which plans to restore the locomotive back to operating condition.

History

Documentary on Union Pacific 3985.

Union Pacific 3985 with Maximum Smoke in HD

3985 was built by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) of Schenectady, NY in July 1943 as a 4-6-6-4 "Challenger" type articulated steam locomotive. The locomotive is one of only two of the original 105 Union Pacific Challengers in existence, the other being Union Pacific No. 3977 on static display in North Platte, NE. Its top speed is in the neighborhood of 70 to 80 mph. 3985 was retired from revenue service in 1962, and then in April 1981, it was restored to operating condition and placed in excursion service. Originally a coal burner, 3985 was later converted to burn No. 5 fuel oil in 1990.

3985 has made several excursion runs over the years with its stablemate Union Pacific FEF-3 Northern No. 844. In May 2019, UP Big Boy No. 4014's restoration to operating condition was completed, joining the operational roster and displacing 3985 as the world's largest operating steam locomotive in the process.

3985 made its last excursion run on October 14, 2010. It was stored indefinitely in the roundhouse in Cheyenne, WY, due to mechanical issues. Eventually, Union Pacific officially retired 3985 from excursion service in January 2020, citing 3985's poor mechanical condition and that operating three steam locomotives was too much for the heritage fleet team as reasons; according to the Union Pacific Steam Team manager, Ed Dickens, 3985 is unlikely to return to service again anytime soon and has been officially replaced by Big Boy No. 4014. Its tender has temporarily been repurposed for use behind 4014, due to 4014's original tender not being converted to oil-firing in time for the Big Boy's first excursion run.

However, on April 28, 2022, Union Pacific announced that 3985, 2-10-2 type 5511, DDA40X diesel locomotive 6936, and other pieces of equipment from their heritage fleet will be donated to the Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (RRHMA) in Silvis, IL where they plan to restore both 3985 and 5511 back to operating condition. On May 13, 2022, it was later announced that RRHMA would also restore 4014's original tender for the UP and trade it back to them in exchange for 3985's tender in preparation for 3985's restoration. It was later towed by diesels out of Cheyenne, WY on November 11, 2022 and arrived at the RRHMA's former Rock Island Railroad shops and yard in Silvis, IL on November 19, 2022.

On January 6, 2023, the RRHMA began the process of dismantling 3985. The appliances were taken out and the cab was removed from the frame. They also disconnected the drawbars and set them aside so they can be used when 4014 arrives to pick up its original tender. Next, they will gut the boiler and prepare the firebox for sheet and stay bolt removal.

In February 2023, the RRHMA gutted the boiler on 3985 and removed all the pipes. They also removed the air pumps, the dynamo, the lubricators, and the injectors for rebuild and began to process of repairing the cylinders. Next they will do the hammer test on the firebox and remove the fire trough, the blower, the burner, the atomizer, and the stoker and set them aside so they can repair the firebox.

In March 2023, the RRHMA removed the fire trough and the burner along with the firebrick arch and set both aside and tagged them for sandblasting, pressure washing, and cleaning. They also removed the steam pipes and disconnected the steam joints and the turret valves at the front. Next, they will remove the valve gear, mark the sheets so they can be cut out, remove the pistons, remove the steam pipes, remove the lube lines, remove the safety valves so they can access the boiler, and disassemble the crossheads and the crosshead guides so they can remove the rods for sandblasting.

In July 2023, the RRHMA removed the safety valves, lube lines, and the valve covers so they can remove the pistons and take the rods apart for rebuild and inspection of the cylinders for milling. The rear engine valve gear was removed and disassembled for cleaning. The flue sheets were marked and lifting rings were welded on so they can be cut out and replaced. Inside the firebox damaged sections of the inner firebox sheets were marked for removal and each of the damaged stay bolts were also marked so they can be drilled out and replaced with the correct ones according to UP drawings.

In September 2023, the RRHMA cut out the flue sheets and removed the damaged sections of the firebox. RRHMA is in the process of drilling out the damaged stay bolts and replacing them with the correct ones. Compressors, air tanks, and air piping have been removed from 3985 along with the smokebox door. Steam pipes have been disassembled for cleaning and replacement and the exhaust pipes have been removed for cleaning and replacement. The pistons have been removed from both engine units and valve components and the crossheads and crosshead guides have been removed for rod removal. Next task will be to tow 3985 over to the drop pit and remove the wheels and send them to Strasburg for new tires.

In October 2023, 3985 was taken outside by newly restored 6936 and blasted and primed. The air tanks were taken to the blast booth and both have been cleaned inside and out and coated with new enamel paint to prevent rust or contamination of the air system. Boiler plates have also have been drilled out and the holes marked for stay bolt insulation and installation in the boiler.

In December 2023, RRHMA received several Christmas presents from Strasburg, Steam Services of America, and a locomotive pipe manufacturer in Germany. Four truckloads of pipes and six boxes of stay bolts, sleeves, and caps arrived and were placed next to 3985 for installation in 2024.

In February 2024, RRHMA received new super heaters from Steam Services of America and Strasburg built according to UP drawings. 3985 was x-rayed to test the boiler material and to identify defective stay bolts which need to be removed and replaced. The last flue sheet was also taken out and the stacks were removed from the smokebox along with the smoke hoods for rebuild. Next 3985 will be prepped for installation of the new sheets in the firebox and the cab deck will be rebuilt and installed before reassembly of the locomotive.

In July 2024 3985 had all her sheets milled and flanged on the press and they are ready to go in the firebox and the boiler. Rivets have been made and are ready to be inserted into the smokebox when the front sheet is installed. The stay bolts have been cut and blanks have been shipped out to contract shops to make new ones to replace the damaged ones installed in 2003 by Wasatch Contractors which are the wrong material for this boiler. 3985 has been x-rayed and bolts are being tested so they know which ones they need to remove and replace. The cab walls have been replaced and rotten planks have been removed. Finally the cab deck has been shipped to Crawford Company who is making it out of solid diamond plate steel to replace the rotten ties they used previously. Next task is to install the sheets, remove the boiler from the frame, and work on the front engine unit so there are no leaks in the steam pipes and to replace worn parts.

In August 2024 3985 has been prepped for stay bolt installation. The cab has been returned from the blast booth and new decking is ready to go in before the cab is painted. The boiler has been grit blasted and needle scaled to remove rust and to prep the boiler shell for hammer testing and stay bolt installation. Flange knuckle for the rear flue sheet is ready to go in and has been heat treated and tweaked in preparation for drilling and installation into the back head of the boiler. Next task will be to install the sheets, replace all the stay bolts, and split the frame to work on the underside of the boiler.

In September 2024 3985 had her stay bolts installed in the boiler and the first set of rivets installed in the mud ring in preparation for reinstallation of the flue sheets. Work continues on the cab to prep it for installation of new paneling and prepping the cab body for paint. 3985 just got her whistle back from Rizzoli Locomotive Works and it has been steam tested and air tested and is ready to go back on the boiler when hydro is preformed in the coming months. Next task will be to split the frame and pull the front engine unit out and repair the under side on the firebox and the boiler up to the smokebox gooseneck which has suffered a bad leak when the engine was stored wet in the roundhouse. The exhaust nozzles, t pipe, and the bearings will also be replaced at this time as the next phase of the rebuild progresses.

In October the knuckle plates have been bent on the press and drilled out and are ready to go in the boiler. RRHMA used a laser cleaning device to remove rust from the boiler in sections they will have to replace stay bolts. All grease has been removed from 3985s frame in preparation for washing and disassembly before the front engine unit is towed to the blast booth. The front flue sheet has been test fitted and is ready to go in when work resumes. Finally the cab has had all the stringers replaced and the brace rods are about to be installed. Next task will be to finish stay bolt installation, install the patches, install the flue sheets, and split the frame so it can be sandblasted and parts replaced.

In November stay bolt work was completed and the front sheet and combustion throat ring were prepped for installation. The rear sheet has been cut out from the blank and flanged in preparation for hole drilling and installation of the super heater nozzles and the rear flange which will secure the pipes to the boiler throat when the locomotive is assembled and in operation. Steel was also delivered for the base of the tank that will go in Big Boy's tender before #3985 gets her tender back. New scaffoldings were built to allow access to the boiler and to prepare 3985 for installation of the cab deck and the pedestal so work can begin on replacing the brakes.

Trivia

• In September 2010, 3985 was selected to pull the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus Train from Cheyenne, WY to Denver, CO, where the circus held a special performance to celebrate P.T Barnum's birthday.
• In November 1992, 3985 was chosen to pull the 50th Anniversary of the Clinchfield Santa Train on the CSX Transportation system in the Eastern United States. It was re-lettered and renumbered as Clinchfield Railroad No. 676. But it was her only outing on Eastern rails at the time because according to Steve Lee, not every railroad was built to accommodate the size of locomotives which were built in WWII, including the 3985 herself.
• In 1989 and 1991, 3985 was temporarily fitted with an Illinois Central 3-chime whistle.
• In 1991, 3985 went to the National Railroad Historical Society's convention in San Jose, CA.
• In December 2018, Union Pacific requested from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) waivers to exempt 3985, 844, and 4014 from federal Positive Train Control (PTC) requirements. In February 2019, the FRA officials responded that such waivers were not needed, although 4014 was later successfully fitted with PTC technology in August 2021 before its big 2021 excursion tour and the UP is also still planning to eventually install PTC technology on 844 too.
• 3985's tender is temporarily being used behind 4014 until its original tender is restored by the Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (RRHMA) in Silvis, IL, at which point, it will get its original tender back in exchange for 3985's tender.
• In May 1993, 3985 hauled a passenger excursion to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club excursion. In addition, 3985 wore the additional smoke deflectors for the excursion and was also was renumbered to 3967, which pulled the original excursion in 1953, but later it was renumbered again - this time to 3718. (No Challengers were ever assigned the number 3718).
• On May 17, 2003, for the 50th anniversary, 3985 hauled the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club excursion. It once again wore the additional smoke deflectors and was renumbered to 3967.
• The locomotive appears in Last of the Giants from the late 1950s, Articulateds UP 3985 vs N&W 1218, and Union Pacific Streamliners and Classic Steam in excursion service.

Gallery

• Full Gallery

Union Pacific 3985 pulls a freight train, near the end of its career.

Union Pacific 3985 pulls an excursion train.

Union Pacific 3985 pulls the CSX Santa Train numbered as Clinchfield 676, November 1992.

Union Pacific 3985 during its first years in excursion service.

UP #3985 leads the UP Democratic National convention special in 2000.

A close up (yet rather blurry) shot of Union Pacific 3985.

References

List of Union Pacific Challenger Locomotives
CSA-1:	3900 (3800) • 3901 (3801) • 3902 (3802) • 3903 (3803) • 3904 (3804) • 3805 • 3906 (3806) • 3807 • 3808 • 3909 (3809) • 3910 (3810) • 3911 (3811) • 3912 (3812) • 3913 (3813) • 3914 (3814)
CSA-2:	3815 • 3816 • 3817 • 3918 (3818) • 3819 • 3820 • 3821 • 3822 • 3823 • 3822 • 3823 • 3824 • 3825 • 3826 • 3827 • 3828 • 3829 • 3830 • 3831 • 3832 • 3833 • 3834 • 3835 • 3836 • 3837 • 3838 • 3839
4664-3:	3950 • 3951 • 3952 • 3953 • 3954 • 3955 • 3956 • 3957 • 3958 • 3959 • 3960 • 3961 • 3962 • 3963 • 3964 • 3965 • 3966 • 3967 • 3968 • 3969
4664-4:	3975 • 3976 • 3977 • 3978 • 3979 • 3980 • 3981 • 3982 • 3983 • 3984 • 3985 • 3986 • 3987 • 3988 • 3989 • 3990 • 3991 • 3992 • 3993 • 3994 • 3995 • 3996 • 3997 • 3998 • 3999
4664-5:	3730 • 3731 • 3732 • 3733 • 3734 • 3735 • 3736 • 3737 • 3738 • 3939 • 3740 • 3741 • 3742 • 3743 • 3744 • 3745 • 3746 • 3747 • 3748 • 3749
Clinchfield Railroad:	Locomotive Type
Extinct:	Fetter Challengers
Excursion Star:	3967 • 3985
Preserved:	3977 • 3985

Preserved Union Pacific Locomotives
UP Class 700	No. 737
UP Class C-2	No. 237 • No. 264 • No. 561 • No. 616 • No. 618 • No. 6051 • No. 6237
UP Class C-57	No. 407 • No. 421 • No. 428 • No. 437 • No. 460 • No. 477 • No. 480 • No. 481 • No. 485
UP Class MK-1	No. 2005
UP Class MK-7	No. 2537
UP Class MK-9	No. 2295
UP Class MK-10	No. 2564
UP Class T-57	No. 1242 • No. 1243
UP Class P-1	No. 3206
UP Class P-2	No. 3203
UP Class TTT-6	No. 5511
UP Class S-4	No. 4420
UP Class S-5	No. 4436 • No. 4439 • No. 4442
UP Class S-6	No. 4455 • No. 4466
UP Class FEF-1	No. 814
UP Class FEF-2	No. 833
UP Class FEF-3	No. 838 • No. 844
UP Class 9000	No. 9000
UP Heavy Challengers	No. 3977 • No. 3985
UP Big Boys	No. 4004 • No. 4005 • No. 4006 • No. 4012 • No. 4014 • No. 4017 • No. 4018 • No. 4023