Steam & Excursion > UP 844 + 3985 + 4014

What is the UP's long-term vision ..... to keep three operating engines in the steam program ?

Bill Miller
Galt, ON

Experience from UK heritage preservation railways (which are not sponsored by a major railroad but by volunteers and charitable contributions) says that you have to keep a number of locomotives certified from a much larger roster. Boiler tickets may last for 10 years or so but there are other issues that may sideline a locomotive at any time.

I have no idea what UP's plans are, but I would think that one to two of the three at any one time would be a reasonable strategy. And there are always those E units to come to the rescue.

I personally would like to see all 3 running for the 150th Golden Spike Anniversary in 2019, otherwise the task of keeping 1 large steam locomotive running while on the road is monumental.

Even with the talent if the UP crew, I would imagine keeping 3 locomotives running that are not in the same place at the same time is too much and would greatly strain their resources.

Posted from iPhone

Keeping all three running would "strain their resources" on the front end, but would balance out in the long term (due to the varying FRA intervals, etc.). And the ability to have spares, and, importantly less HOURS on each loco. Just my opinion.

Well, I doubt that you will find a multi locomotive trip until Ed qualifies more operational help to run them. Ed will figure it out.

Bob Krieger
Cheyenne, WY

Right now there are so many things going on with the 4014, it's a matter of one thing at a time.

NWClassJ Wrote:
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> Right now there are so many things going on with
> the 4014, it's a matter of one thing at a time.

Oh, I agree. And I'm not all ablaze for a trip with all three triple-heading (just not my bag). Just that all three stay operational, even if at various intervals.

I am right there with you, I also hope all 3 remain active. An FEF, Challenger and a 4000 class....that's something special there.

larail Wrote:
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> The wealth of steam restorations currently
> underway in the west (4014, 2926, 18) has me
> wondering if 3985 might reasonably serve as a
> source of parts for 4014, at least in the short
> run. No, I don't know how many parts these 2 Alco
> articulateds share. But it would seem plausible to
> one who doesn't know any better that as the 4014
> restoration unfolds, there might be enough of
> those parts to measurably flatten UP Steam's
> restoration expenditures for the 2 combined
> locomotives across a longer timeline.
>
> Posted from Android

How does that work? Would you not have to replace
the parts taken from 3985 to get 4014 going?
Otherwise, the 3985 becomes another 838.

larail Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The wealth of steam restorations currently
> underway in the west (4014, 2926, 18) has me
> wondering if 3985 might reasonably serve as a
> source of parts for 4014, at least in the short
> run. No, I don't know how many parts these 2 Alco
> articulateds share. But it would seem plausible to
> one who doesn't know any better that as the 4014
> restoration unfolds, there might be enough of
> those parts to measurably flatten UP Steam's
> restoration expenditures for the 2 combined
> locomotives across a longer timeline.
>
> Posted from Android

There are precedents for doing this in the UK. In the end the spare parts loco was also restored to fully operational status. All it takes is hard work and money!