Union Pacific Challenger 3985

[@SuperFoxyRailwayProduction6702]

I love when 3985 pulls 143 Freight cars

[@trainlandia697]

I chased that baby on the UP Heritage Donation Special from Adair, IA to Des Moines, IA yesterday! I can’t wait to see her and 5511 get restored!

[@theodorethompson9032]

Those units are in the shop i work at. Started working there in 1998...

[@FabioSilva-mt9wr]

21:28 rocky mountain railroad club on may 17 2023

[@thomasblack736]

I hope this show will cenvert into dvd sometime in the future!

[@jacksonpugh6423]

And maybe it’ll get restored and digitalized

[@patmancrowley8509]

What a thrill! Thanks Gandy Dancer Productions!

[@nicholasmedovich8691]

Such an amazing gentleman with a 4-8-8-4s size heart. RIP Bob.

[@artismbyjoey779]

are you referring to Bob Krieger!? what happened?

[@CommercialsandMiscellaneous]

​@@artismbyjoey779he passed away

[@jamesbelcher8509]

11:24 Bob Krieger: The Union Pacific Railroad realized early on, the steam locomotives could be positive public relations tool. One only has to witness massive giant in action. To understand its ability to impress onlifters. The 3985 can ddevelop between five and six thousand horsepower, under full throttle, it consumes up to 200 gallons of water per hour. In that same mile, the 15 and a half foot by 9 foot firebox can burn over 20 gallons of number 5 fuel oil. The huge tender holds 25,000 gallons of water and 5,900 gallons of fuel oil when full.

[@iceslayer777]

Best comment I’ve heard about the steam program! I know they’ve always cared about history and tradition but hearing a number of lines as to why it’s kept helps reinforce that.

[@Gabethenwr77]

I LOVE YOU 3985

[@dennismundt7378]

If you are a fan of the Challenger locomotive and also have a model layout in H0, or collect models, then you should look for the H0 models (1/87) from "Märklin-39912" for AC model layouts and "TRIX-22940" Search the internet for DC systems. It is the Challenger 3969, which unfortunately is no longer built as a new model. Maybe you can find the model as a used vehicle for sale on the Internet.

[@Gabethenwr77]

Unfortunately I don’t have a model but Hopefully I get one

[@thomasavensjr.2790]

Very enjoyable documentary about the operation history of UP 3985, hopefully later on in the future the 3985 will return back to operating special excursion trains after it's rebuild process is completed.

[@mmandmcb14]

Footage used in Train Adventures for Kids.

[@nicholasmedovich8691]

Dave Drui: our coverage starts with Union Pacific 844 an d 3985 double heading the train past snow caps on Sherman hill.

[@jamesbelcher8509]

11:24 A 4-6-6-4 Challenger type engine number 3985 is a largest operating steam locomotive in the world.

[@railroadfannumberone3049]

We Will Always Remember You Bob As The Engineer And Fireman On Union Pacific 844 And Union Pacific 3985

[@struck2soon]

So nice to hear a big articulated actually working hard for a change, hauling those heavy freights made for enjoyable audio effects. (Unlike the unfortunate place we find ourselves in the current “enlightened” view that 4014 really needs a diesel to help it along!)

[@regularguy7266]

Watch the KZbinr @Hyce 's video on why 4014 needs a diesel on the back of her, it's definitely not because of 4014s power (the Big Boys are a bit overkill), but because of modern day mainline steam running logistics.

[@SofiaSclafani]

@@regularguy7266the diesel helper is there for dynamic braking, and if big boy breaks down they’re not interrupting traffic. It’s not back then 50 years ago when they have parts laying around for these massive giant when they break on tracks, most of the parts on big boy were one off remanufactured parts now. Common sense.

[@iceslayer777]

The Big Boy makes 7-8k HP just from its slightly increased boiler size as they used to run that up steep mountain grades. More specifically, the Wasatch mountain range unassisted with loads just as big to what the Challenger pulled except at speeds of 30-40MPH. Was a very long journey just to go from Cheyenne to Ogden so the capabilities it had helped get through war times much easier.

[@jamesbelcher8509]

0:59 And 4-8-8-4 Big Boys enjoyed hauling the millions and tons of freight for up to 20 years.

[@jamesbelcher8509]

20:23 Kevin Michael Richardson: Instead, Steve Lee and his crew take the locomotives out to the public on scheduled excursions throughout Union Pacific territory. Steve Lee: It's a lot of fun takin' this thing around makin' people happy you don't see very frowns around this thing.

[@kurokogejp]

GOOD

[@lukegreen5341]

3:19 This Union Pacific Challenger Class Express Steam Locomotives Looks Amazing. Thanks Mate. X

[@natehill8069]

Completely changes your paradigm concerning 4-cylinder engines...

[@jamesbelcher8509]

Union Pacific Challenger 3985 10:38 [train whistle] 10:24 [train chugging] 10:41 [train chugging] 12:05 [train chugging] 12:15 [train chugging] 24:55 [train chugging] 25:20 [train chugging] 25:36 [train chugging]

[@jamesbelcher8509]

1:01 Union Pacific 4000 class locomotive

[@ns4270railfan]

It will be nice when this legendary locomotive is back up and running a long with the 5511. I was hoping that the Union Pacific will restore 3985 to run with the big boy 4014, but that's not going to happen, but with 3985's new home in Illinois, 3985 will begin a chapter in her life, running special and regular excursions in Illinois. Thanks to the Union Pacific for that generous donation.

[@regularguy7266]

Doesn't have to be just Illinois. It could be really anywhere in the Midwest, South, and West because 3985 is an all roller bearing locomotive. She can do ferry moves, and since she is not a "foreign" steam locomotive to UP, they could allow 3985 back on home rails if they want to.

[@theodorethompson9032]

@@regularguy7266 no it's actually in Silvis Illinois at the former Rock Island lines shop former NREC shop. But NRE still is in the shop. I can send you a photo of it sitting in Silvis shop...

[@regularguy7266]

@@theodorethompson9032 no I was talking about excursions the locomotive would do after restoration, not the shop or where It's located. I think it's pretty obvious where 3985 is stored right now.

[@iceslayer777]

I wouldn’t necessarily say that was solely generous. Yes it was a nice gesture considering how big and expensive of a project it’s to take on not just 1, but two steam locomotives. UP didn’t really want to give up either but they decided to so both 3985 and 5511 could receive a “new life.” I’m glad to see both getting a chance living life again but they certainly wouldn’t have done that otherwise knowing each are called “Union Pacific” to just put them elsewhere.

[@jamesbelcher8509]

11:16 Steve Lee: They had large boilers, they had high boiler pressure, they had 12 drivin' wheels, and they were articulated so they could go around sharp curves. So a heavy passenger train that would require maybe two or three locomotives in mountain territory, one Challenger could handle.

[@nicholasmedovich8691]

Trains unlimited brought me here

[@railroadfannumberone3049]

Rest In Peace Bob Krieger

[@SuperFoxyRailwayProduction6702]

6:24

[@theodorethompson9032]

This unit is in the shop i work at.

[@jamesbelcher8509]

19:09 Steve Lee: You had locomotives that were specifically built for haulin' passenger trains at high speads, and you had locomotives that were specifically built for heavy freight trains at slow speads, The Challengers were designed to fit in between there.

[@iceslayer777]

Hence why it had 69 inch drivers compared to the Big Boy’s 68 inch and the Northern 800 class that had 80 inch drivers.

[@natehill8069]

I feel sorry for 3985. For decades he used to rule the roost, but now everyone is "Wheres 4014!?!" and she's just overlooked and forgotten. Sniff.

[@regularguy7266]

Not really. 3985 operated for almost 30 years in excursion service, impacting millions along her path. She's probably one of the most famous in the country, obviously not Big Boy level though. Theres many videos and history overviews on KZbin. Also, she is not forgotten, because if she was, well, she wouldn't have third chance at life at the RRHMA.

[@Guarddog83]

Shame on the UP for getting rid of it. I am glad it is going to get another life in Silvis, but the 3985 belongs with the Big Boy. Just my opinion.

[@regularguy7266]

UP cares about the 3985, that's the reason why they gave it to the RRHMA. Maintaining the only steam locomotive to never be retired and the largest steam locomotive in the world is already a lot of work. The Union Pacific steam program said it would be too much work to maintain 3 incredibly large locomotives. I'm sure the RRHMA and UP will have 4014 and 3985 meet in the future, we'll just have to wait.

[@rudycarlson8245]

Union Pacific does care about 3985! The steam crew is too far stretched thin to maintain three steam locomotives ever since 3985 was retired. They have looked a long time for a new home for her. I am pretty damn sure if they could’ve kept her they would have! And eventually got her running again, but she has a new home in Silvis! And that group is working on her now! They have estimated three years to get her up and running again, but personally, I think it’s gonna take a little bit longer than that! But sooner than we know what her 🔥 again, be lit! And her whistle will be heard once again!

[@jsos3985]

At the 10:50 mark Steve Lee appears to be flipping someone off. I love it

[@K-Effect]

I had no idea the challenger holds the record for the longest train pulled by a steam engine at 8000+ feet

[@ilikeguitars3511]

Did it actually say that in the video?

[@K-Effect]

@@ilikeguitars3511 Yes at 6:24 the narrator tells you about it

[@ilikeguitars3511]

@@K-Effect he just said, history was made, not that it was the longest train pulled by steam. That would've been cool tho.

[@K-Effect]

@@ilikeguitars3511 The narrator doesn’t say it’s a record in the video but it is the longest train pulled by a single steam engine from a dead stop

[@ilikeguitars3511]

@@K-Effect interesting, but I remember reading something about a bigboy pulling a 600 car long train after givin a push. Could be not true tho

[@johnbrown-rm8kc]

this must be very old VHS NTSC format ???

[@NickelPlatedProductions]

Yes, this was derived from an Original VHS copy of the show from 1994.

[@michaelcallahan5358]

Built for action and power!

[@Mike-01234]

Notice no diesel electric locomotive.

[@nigelslade5276]

Very enjoyable, when is Big Boy going to haul a 7000 pus freight over Sherman Hill on it's own?

[@voidjavelin23]

yall foamers really wanted to see a Big Boy to start a freight thru sherman hill, let the old boy be easy

[@rustyshackleford6637]

Double jointed rails around 11:10

[@michaelcallahan5358]

Still operating with a modern day capacity, full freight car go !

[@ЛЬВИНИ]

Very nice, like

[@jamesbelcher8509]

0:49 Bob Krieger: The largest operating steam locomotive in the world is the Union Pacific's 3985.

[@zacharycalgher3978]

Union Pacific Challenger 3985 Beats Norfolk & Western Class A 1218.

[@zacharycalgher3978]

Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 Also Beats Norfolk & Western Class Y 2156.

[@jeremiahwilliams7809]

I like this more than the big boy........

[@regularguy7266]

@gorangustavsson7716 while I also do like 3985 better, here is some things I have to say: 1. 4014 and 3985 have a very similar top speed, with Big Boy being 80 mph, and 3985 being 80-90 mph. Some people say 70 but there is footage of 3985 going 75 mph, and usually you want to go 8-10 mph under the maximum speed for a steam locomotive. The Big Boys though aren't that safe to run over 60 mph, which is why the crews usually stick to 35-60 mph. 2. 4014s wheels are smaller in diameter by 1 inch, so not really a difference. 3. This one is obvious, 4014 has significantly more power. Now some people want the locomotive to pull freight during ferry moves or during other special runs, but the logistics of that in our modern setting are more complicated.