Union Pacific Steam 844 & 3985

In the early 1990s the then modern operation of the Union Pacific railroad there lied a niche of operational history, which included 4-8-4 Northern 844 and 4-6-6-4 Challenger 3985.
Thundering out of Cheyenne, Wyoming, these magnificent machines traveled across the plains and mountains of the west to the delight of millions of people.
Come along with the steam crew to experience all the power and excitement of the Union Pacific steam operations in the 1990's.
Narrated by Bob Krieger, Union Pacific Steam Crew Engineer.
Since the Production of this program, UP 3985 & UP 5511 have been donated to Railroading Heritage Of Midwest America along a number of other pieces of the Heritage fleet. 3985 & 5511 will be undergoing complete restorations to operation in the coming months. To find out more, visit rrhma.com/
This was produced in 1991 by Gandy Dancer Productions, as one the Union Pacific Steam Crew videos sold by the Union Pacific back in the 1990s. Gandy Dancer Productions that operated out of Greeley, Colorado produced a number of Union Pacific Steam Crew focused programs & of other Railroad interests in the 1990s, many of their programs are lost to time. This has been out of print & lost for 31 years .Nickel Plated Productions does not lay claim to the ownership of this program or its copyright. Ownership/Copyright belongs to Gandy Dancer Productions. This has been uploaded in an effort to preserve its historical contents.

[@ConcededGlue182]

I didn't expect to see 1522 and 844 do a doubleheader together. That blew my mind.

[@ConcededGlue182]

WHOA now I had absolutely NO idea that 844 doubleheaded with Frisco 1522. That is phenomenal 😮

[@stevew270]

The APL pull and the circus train pulled by 3985 are two events that will probably never be repeated by steam.

[@justahillbilly7777]

Sadly, the circus train definitely won’t be repeated. The last Ringling Bros. circus train ran a few years ago. The only thing I wish was that the train could’ve continued for a little bit longer so it could have been pulled by the 4014 before coming to an end, but oh well. It is what it is.

[@RandomRetroTrainGuy82]

@@justahillbilly7777 It’s coming back in Fall 2023

[@struck2soon]

You are right, they seem determined to put a stinking diesel behind every steam hauled train on UP these days. Pathetic.

[@RandomRetroTrainGuy82]

Wow! I love UP Steam! 🤩🚂 Let’s see what’s in store! ❓

[@lilfrostygamplays1665]

I appreciate UP Steam very much thx Bro

[@thomasblack736]

I hope that Gandy Dancer will convert into DVDs sometime in the future!

[@RandomRetroTrainGuy82]

5:50 It’s 844 and 1522 doubleheader after 1990 NRHS! 🤩

[@ericjimenez8777]

5:30

[@ericjimenez8777]

5:00

[@T128Productions]

@@ericjimenez8777 No you don’t see the 1522 at 5:00 or 5:30. You actually see the 1522 (as well as the rest of the consist with of course the 844) from 5:50 to 6:41.

[@NS6677]

RIP Bob Krieger.

[@jenkirstenjad]

And Lynn Nystrom, Reed Larson.

[@T128Productions]

Who were they?

[@jenkirstenjad]

@@T128Productions Lynn Nystrom was the fireman and Reed was the conductor

[@NS6677]

And Bob Krieger was an engineer.

[@wesleyhymbaugh1450]

We All Love Trains 🚂🚂🚂 💕💕 💕❤️❤️❤️🚂🚂🚂 ☺️☺️☺️😘😘😘

[@T128Productions]

Yes, especially the ones with new paint like we see in the video, instead of that eyesore graffiti we see on today’s freight trains. Thanks security.

[@michaelbarrett5149]

Do you have video of nkp 765 in summer of 1982 you can show us?

[@zacharycalgher3978]

When 3985 and 5511’s restorations are completed, RRHMA should repaint both Union Pacific steam engines yellow, just like the diesels. Although that’s years away.

[@RandomRetroTrainGuy82]

I actually like 3985 and 5511 just the way they are.😊

[@brianfalzon6739]

@@RandomRetroTrainGuy82 And what about T&P 610? RRHMA should acquire that engine that’s been since on current display today at the Texas State Railroad!

[@aaron-prime117]

Naturally some would say that’s OK but all I say they look better in black and there was a rumor going around but the centennial was gonna get repainted in the Milwaukee colors which would’ve ruined it’s image honestly if 5511 and .3985 where to be repainted they would look better in the colors 844 had before she was repainted black

[@rogerlollar4325]

844 and 3985 were buddies

[@T128Productions]

The perfect duo.

[@jacksonpugh6423]

Cousins in fact

[@ericjimenez8777]

NUMBER 3985

[@ericjimenez8777]

NUMBER 844

[@aaron-prime117]

A few things on the Challenger one I knew that was nearly 150 cars with those containers resent them on archer hill when the challenger pulled all those wagons on her own it took five diesels to haul that many cars and not even three diesels would’ve done the job. Whether it was staged or not she and 4014 could’ve hauled all those wagons on their own without diesel assistance no matter what whether it was going up archer Hill or going up Sherman Hill. Two using parts from other old retired engines to repair the Challenger was a bit of a stretch especially when converting her to being an oil burner. It would’ve been better when Ed joined the union pacific steam program became its head and restore the challenger with fresh parts just like his team did with the big boy. And three Ed dickens knows a steam engines operational limit and how to properly work on one. I’m betting he knew someone might’ve fouled up when the decision was made to restore the challenger with parts from older engines

[@09JDCTrainMan]

It wasn't staged, APL requested the intermodal train to be run by 3985 and UP happily accepted. It was a revenue train originally to be hauled by 5 diesels.

[@aaron-prime117]

@@09JDCTrainMan I knew it. Another commenter replied to my comment on the vid of 3985 hauling that train saying it was staged I stood with the fact it wasn’t because any engine of the challengers caliber could easily haul more alone than 3-5 number diesel put together

[@09JDCTrainMan]

@@aaron-prime117 Yeah, 3985 is easily capable, and proved it. No idea how anyone can think it was staged when it was clearly stated that APL requested it.

[@davidforsyth446]

A bit harsh, 3985 last recieved a class 3 overhaul in 1953 and that's a damn fine performance she gave considering how overdue she was for a complete rebuild. Secondly, The only concerns I have about steam program is the fate of 844, having not operated since 2019 and what the long term intentions are for her continued inclusion in the steam program.

[@ericjimenez8777]

NUMBERS 844 AND 6936