A few miles west of wahsatch at mp 931, at the curvo crossover tunnel, the original mainline, now used by westbounds, crosses over the newer eastbound mainline at the west portal. The union pacific challengers are a type of simple articulated 4664 steam locomotive built. In 1862, central pacific and union pacific railroads compete westward across the wilderness toward california. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. In 1916, grey decided to write an epicscale historical novel about the building of the union pacific railroad. Union pacific challenger 3985, a 4664, was built in 1943, and retired in 1958, but restored by up for its steam program. This was a 2 for 1 split, meaning for each share of unp owned presplit, the shareholder now owned 2 shares. However, due to mechanical problems, it was taken out of service in october 2010, and eventually retired in january 2020 from excursion service after the restoration of big boy 4014. The first split for unp took place on may 12, 1980. Packed with black and white photos showing its 1981 renovation and continued use as a up representative in the early 1980s.
Luckily it stopped for the night in my favorite railroad town on a dayoff so i could make the 200 mile round trip to see her. Nwclassj change can be good at times, however when change results in 844s boiler being filled with sediment and scale because of poor operating practices and a lack of blow downs and water treatment that clearly didnt do diddly then one needs to wonder. This 4664 locomotive, built in 1943 still runs today as part of the railroads public relations program. However, due to mechanical problems, it was taken out of service in october 2010, and eventually retired in january 2020 from excursion service after the. One of the biggest and most powerful steam locomotives in history has returned to life. Midwest challenger union pacific 3985midwest challenger. Marx said that history does nothing, possesses no enormous wealth, fights no battles. I was recently surfing youtube when i came across a statement in the description of a video. For example, a share position presplit, became a 2000 share position following the split. Union pacific 3985 with maximum smoke in hd youtube. The locomotive is one of only two of the original 105 union pacific challengers in existence, along. It returned to service in 1982 as a coalburner, which restricted its range of operation to southeast wyoming.
Up 3985 during its first years in excursion service. They were designed for fast freight, with a top speed of 70 miles per hour. In 1990, it was conveyed to burn oil, and since then it has traveled over the entire up system. Our most recent book is jeff asays union pacific northwest, tracing the history of up in oregon, washington, and northern idaho. Check out the new look and enjoy easier access to your favorite features. It starts with the phoenicians, the vikings, and the laws of oleron. Union pacific 3985 the worlds largest operating steam. Union pacific celebrates the shared stories that have shaped our country since 1862. Did i mention that ive dabbled in n scale over the past three years. Union pacific excursion box car posted by ryzormachine on wednesday, april 8, 2009 4. Paperback fascinating history of union pacifics challenger steam locomotive no. You can buy framed prints or greeting cards of this photo. When factoring in bonuses and additional compensation, a foreman at union pacific can expect to make. Union pacific 3985, also known as the challenger, is a fourcylinder simple articulated.
Before the advent of the transcontinental railroad, a journey across the continent to the western states meant a dangerous six month trek over rivers, deserts, and mountains. History union pacific coal mines 1868 1940 abebooks. The union pacific magazine, volume 6 snippet view 1927. Union pacific railroads worlds largest operating steam. Steam expert lloyd stagner skillfully narrates the story of this steam stronghold from classtoclass taking the reader through over 200. The union pacific railroad big boys are often credited as having been the. Union pacific 3985 to the up historical society convention may 1994 by chris guenzler. Media in category union pacific 3985 the following 70 files are in this category, out of 70 total. Apparently, a volunteerworker for the program was asked about the status of 3985, and when it will be out shopped and ready to go. Up 3985 operated in its last regular train service in 1957. History of the union pacific coal mines, 18681940 and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Union pacific rail road, union pacific railway, union pacific railroad mark i, and union pacific railroad.
The pacific railway a brief history of building the transcontinental railroad. The name challenger was given to steam locomotives with a 4664 wheel arrangement. Union pacific 3985 to the up historical society convention. Union pacific and its west coast port partners are keeping the supply chain moving for medical supplies and other essential goods coming into the u. The union pacific 3985 pulls a freight train, near the end of its career. It is one of 105 challengers built for union pacific between 1936 and 1943 and was, for many years, the only operating engine of its class in the world the largest and most powerful operating steam locomotive. Union pacific is a western television series starring jeff morrow, judson pratt and susan cummings that aired in syndication from 1958 until 1959. Big boy 4014 nearly complete fist time whistle blow april 27th, 2019 duration. All of union pacifics 484, 4664 and 4884 type locomotives were fitted with whistles manufactured by the hancock inspirator co.
Union pacific unp has 5 splits in our union pacific stock split history database. Apr 08, 2009 union pacific excursion box car posted by ryzormachine on wednesday, april 8, 2009 4. It proved a difficult task, and his editor rewrote large chunks of it, eventually publishing the substantially altered book under a heres something fans of prolific western author grey, who died nearly 70 years ago, probably weren. Apr 20, 2012 as of september 17 2012, up 3985 was in the cheyenne steam shops with the boiler jacketing off, and some insulation peeled away. See more ideas about union pacific 844, union pacific railroad and train. Youll see this impressive, massive locomotive storming archer hill, along the triple track, a spirited departure from north platte, and along the rails towards saint paul. With the advent of diminished locomotive production due to world war ii demands and restrictions, many western railroads were hungry for top performing and even more powerful steamers. Alternatively, a traveler could hazard a six week sea voyage around cape horn, or sail to central america and cross the isthmus of panama by. This photo appears in brian solomons book locomotive. It was built in 1943 by the american locomotive company of schenectady, new york. As of september 17 2012, up 3985 was in the cheyenne steam shops with the boiler jacketing off, and some insulation peeled away. It begins long before the lumber pile on folsom street wharf in 1885.
Barely visible in the smoke are the aba set of rebuilt e9s that are assisting the train. On the morning of august 1, 1990 union pacific 4664 challenger 3985 slowly pulls out of the cheyenne, wyoming yard with the heaviest steam powered freight train since the 50s. In addition to our journal, the uphs publishes books relating union pacifics rich history of traffic, operations, motive power, and rolling stock. Built in july 1943 by the american locomotive company alco of schenectady, new york, no. Historians, railfans, employees, and modelers have found the uphs to be a matchless source of accurate and indepth material concerning.
This estimate is based upon 7 union pacific foreman salary reports provided by employees or estimated based upon statistical methods. Union pacific 3985 union pacific 3985, or up 3985, is a fourcylinder simple articulated 4664 challengertype steam locomotive owned by union pacific railroad. One of the largest and perhaps most famous steam locomotives ever builtunion pacifics articulated 4884 big boy no. Union pacifics challenger 3985, the biggest operating steam engine in the world on a u. The challengers are a 4664 articulated locomotive, with each set of drivers having its own steam cylinder.
Some new steam whistle hornsounds i made for the new union pacific steamers from rrmods, built for trainz simulator 2009201012. Union pacific 3985, also known as the challenger, is a fourcylinder simple articulated 4664 challenger type steam locomotive owned and previously operated by the union pacific railroad. I learned the schedule from flimsies and made plans to capture the union pacific 3985 on film again. Union pacific 3985 is a 4664 challenger steam locomotive owned by union pacific and part of its historic steam program. The linda hall library transcontinental railroad website was created with generous support from the bnsf burlington northern santa fe foundation. Dec 24, 2012 up 3985 leads a 1990s era denver post, cheyenne frontier days drain denver to greeley in this segment from the vhs archives of late last century, so old 8 t. Union pacific 1939 union pacific 1939 union pacific 1939 the image could not be loaded. This show was inspired by the 1939 film also named union pacific, starring joel mccrea, barbara stanwyck, and robert preston. Jul 28, 20 one of the largest and perhaps most famous steam locomotives ever builtunion pacifics articulated 4884 big boy no. The famous big boy 4884 types were among the worlds largest steam locomotives. The next year, the 3985 went to the national railroad historical societys.
Carrying a full load of coal for the days trip to ogden, the crew of union pacific 4664 3985 is making sure everything is ready to go before they head out of salt lake citys engine facility on june 27, 1982. We invite you to explore how the nations largest railroad came to be and how up continues to build america with innovation and tenacity, touching the lives of nearly every citizen. As of the beginning of 2016, the society has about 1,900 members. A brief history of the pacific railway the transcontinental. The site offers visitors a brief history of the building of the transcontinental railroad as well as information on the history and technology of 19th century railroads.
Union pacific ordered a total of 105 challenger locomotives between 1936 and 1943v\. This photograph is available as prints up to 38 x 20. Largest steam locomotives the union pacific 3985 challenger. It is one of 105 challengers built for union pacific between 1936 and 1943 and is the largest and most powerful operating steam locomotive today. With barbara stanwyck, joel mccrea, akim tamiroff, robert preston. On labor day 2005, the union pacific challenger no 3985 visited dunsmuir ca. Founded in 1984, uphs is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of the union pacific railroad. I made friends with one of the boilermakers on the steam crew at railfest in north platte last year and got to ride the 844 from north platte to cheyenne this year, and he told me that it was going to be down for 35 years for the 1472 service days or 15 year fra. The two other up lines had different origins in the 1850s.
Up 3985 leads a 1990s era denver post, cheyenne frontier days drain denver to greeley in this segment from the vhs archives of late last century, so old 8 t. Roster listings for the steam locomotives of union pacifics heritage fleet. The worlds largest operating steam locomotive stokes up her big boiler for maximum steam pressure for an eastbound trip to omaha. The history of the union pacific railroad stretches from 1862 to the present. This page is not promoted by or officially affiliated. The longbell deeptone or steamboat version of hancocks whistle was used by many railroads as.
The unions past is important because it is alive in the present. The history of the sailors union of the pacific is as rich as its possibilities. The up 3985 is a 4664 challengertype steam locomotive and the largest such locomotive still operating anywhere in the country. We also have published a history of the early streamliner era. Heavy freight and union pacific 3985 on the morning of august 1, 1990 union pacific 4664 challenger 3985 slowly pulls out of the cheyenne, wyoming yard with the heaviest steam powered freight train since the 50s. The union pacific railroad once owned more than onehundred of these locomotives but today only two remain preserved. The longbell deeptone or steamboat version of hancocks whistle was used by many railroads as well as these 175 union pacific locomotives. The up challenger 3985 was going to come to the up historical society convention in ontario, california. For operations of the current railroad, see union pacific railroad. Hancock longbell 3chime whistle recordings union pacific. Feb 28, 2017 did i mention that ive dabbled in n scale over the past three years. Union pacific excursion box car trains magazine trains. Stagner this allcolor 128page hardcover book highlights everything from 060s to big boys on the historic eastern district of the up.
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