Steam & Excursion > 3985 Photo Runby on Cajon

In May, 1994, 3985 and three of UP’s E units were in SoCal for the UPHS convention at Ontario.  An afternoon photo runby was staged at the Martinez Spur area of Cajon Pass during one of the Montclair – Barstow round trip excursions but, due to the location, this would necessitate a reverse move uphill to re-board passengers after the runby.  Even with this added challenge, as it were, the location did allow for some decent photos.  There’ve been some nice 3985 shots posted here recently, so I thought I’d add a few more to the collection.

Thanks for looking back,
GK

1.  With Bob3985 at the throttle, pilot engineer “Diesel Dave” Smith gives a wave to the photo line before the runby.

2.  Diesel Dave has swapped seats with Bob as they wait to proceed west on Santa Fe’s Cajon Sub.  (The official announcement of the BN + AT&SF merger would occur the following month.)

3.  A re-scan from a slide of 3985 with E units and train at speed during the runby.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/27/20 20:08 by TheNavigator.

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4.  Closer view of 3985, a lucky shot with rods down on both engines.      

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DAH! Blow the whistle!

Excellent images.  Thanks for posting them.
A wonderful reminder of good times gone by.

blackwidowgp9

Thanks for the photos. I got along with all the pilot engineers and Dave was extremely friendly.
And I believe this was the first time I did downhill photo runs on a steeper grade.
Thank God for the 8ET air brake system.

Bob Krieger
Cheyenne, WY

What fine photos!!! I was on the train. Loved it.

VERY nice! I know that in 2020 this is heresey, but I much prefer(ed) 3985 over 4014, and even 844. Of course I saw 3985 and 844 in action on their run to California in 1989(?), and saw/rode behind 844 several times, but have yet to witness 4014. In any case there's still something about 3985. Maybe it's the classic smokebox front, with the UP shield number plate, instead of the bald front of 4014 with the silly "Big Boy" scrawl, but anyway......my own opinion, and only that.
Thanks for posting these!

You sure that's not Chuck Norris behind Bob?

lowwater Wrote:
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> VERY nice! I know that in 2020 this is heresey,
> but I much prefer(ed) 3985 over 4014, and even
> 844. Of course I saw 3985 and 844 in action on
> their run to California in 1989(?), and saw/rode
> behind 844 several times, but have yet to witness
> 4014. In any case there's still something about
> 3985. Maybe it's the classic smokebox front, with
> the UP shield number plate, instead of the bald
> front of 4014 with the silly "Big Boy" scrawl, but
> anyway......my own opinion, and only that.
> Thanks for posting these!

I won't go as far as to say that I prefer one machine over the other. There is room in my heart for both. 
That's like those silly arguments that we used to have as kids about who was the better guitarist, Clapton or Page or.....

I do, however, prefer the way 3985 was operated over the way 4014 has been operated and I hands down
prefer the operators of 3985 to the narcissist who operates the 4014 dog-and-pony show now.

I am 100% in agreement with you about the dopey chalk marks on the smokebox front. At this point it can 
only be providing amusement for the tiniest of minds.

Sorry, Trains Magazine's editorial staff.

yankingeorgia Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> lowwater Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > VERY nice! I know that in 2020 this is heresey,
> > but I much prefer(ed) 3985 over 4014, and even
> > 844. Of course I saw 3985 and 844 in action on
> > their run to California in 1989(?), and
> saw/rode
> > behind 844 several times, but have yet to
> witness
> > 4014. In any case there's still something about
> > 3985. Maybe it's the classic smokebox front,
> with
> > the UP shield number plate, instead of the bald
> > front of 4014 with the silly "Big Boy" scrawl,
> but
> > anyway......my own opinion, and only that.
> > Thanks for posting these!
>
> I won't go as far as to say that I prefer one
> machine over the other. There is room in my heart
> for both. 
> That's like those silly arguments that we used to
> have as kids about who was the better guitarist,
> Clapton or Page or.....
>
> I do, however, prefer the way 3985 was operated
> over the way 4014 has been operated and I hands
> down
> prefer the operators of 3985 to the narcissist who
> operates the 4014 dog-and-pony show now.
>
> I am 100% in agreement with you about the dopey
> chalk marks on the smokebox front. At this point
> it can 
> only be providing amusement for the tiniest of
> minds.
>
> Sorry, Trains Magazine's editorial staff.

What is really sad is that Jim Wrinn got more excited than a school boy to see 4014, just for it to be shoved by diesel power & by 844.  How he got to ride in the cab of 4014 is by kissing the bare backside of the current manager.  I got a chance when I was 14 to ride in the cab of 3985 from Fremont to Columbus, Nebraska.  Steve Lee could make 3985 bark, even with diesel help.  The current manager could make 4014 drift, making the diesel help do all the work.  It's stupid to use the whistle just to mask the rod clanking.  Steve Lee knew the definition of teamwork, the current manager doesn't.  Steve Lee knew how to run a steam locomotive  like a boss; the current manager, not really.

Jim Wrinn is a poor excuse of a magazine editor.  He would do better being an owners manual editor at Bissell.  He never bothers to even get the other side of the story before publishing the article in Trains Magazine.  That is one reason I never renewed my subscription to that magazine.  Legends like Jim Boyd would be turning over in his grave, cussing his guts out.  Jim Boyd was one hell of an editor & has well earned my respect.  



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/29/20 21:13 by UPChallenger3985.

Every post about the UP steam program had to turn negative.
At this point the railrosd should sell them and give people something really to belly ache about.

Posted from Android

needles_sub Wrote:
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> Every post about the UP steam program had to turn
> negative.
> At this point the railrosd should sell them and
> give people something really to belly ache about.

Well, it will be interesting how you, and many others, react when, NOT if, the UP disposes of the three E Units, the DDA40X, the 844, and the snow plows, all currently at Cheyenne.

I rode that excusion the Salt Lake to Vegas leg. My parents who were NHRA members got me tickets for free. Wish I could have a do over on that.

jethat Wrote:
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> I rode that excusion the Salt Lake to Vegas leg.
> My parents who were NHRA members got me tickets
> for free. Wish I could have a do over on that.

Really? I'd be curious as to how being members of the National Hot Rod Association  (NHRA), was able to obtain free tickets to a railroad excursion.

HotWater Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> jethat Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I rode that excusion the Salt Lake to Vegas
> leg.
> > My parents who were NHRA members got me tickets
> > for free. Wish I could have a do over on that.
>
> Really? I'd be curious as to how being members of
> the National Hot Rod Association  (NHRA), was
> able to obtain free tickets to a railroad
> excursion.
nNRHS what ever.

Back to the Thanks.

Appreciate-ed the photo's very much.

3985 is a winner in myeyes..

Ed

I still wish I had a chance to see 3985 at the time, Naval Orders said otherwise!

Posted from Android