Anyone know the status of the 3985? Last I heard they were getting some springs made for it last year and it should be ready to go soon. That was almost a year ago now and nothing said since. Also just out of curiosity, how come the 6936 (DDA40X) was stored at the Portola CA museum till just recently being removed?
To the best of my knowledge it is back in Cheyenne. It made a trip through Texas a couple of months ago.
I've been wondering where she is as well. As nice as 844 is, I'd rather 3985 were making a trip to Oregon this fall.
update to the 3985 I just got back from a trip to Colorado with the LCCA club. Got to ride behind the 844, and tour the UP steam shop and round house. All I could say was WOW. Part of the tour we got to see the 3985 up close, climb inside the cab, and sit in front of the controls.... I give UP a great big thumbs up:thumbs_up: for this. The 3985 was down for some boiler work, and rebuild of the front pilot truck. She passed the inspection, boiler tests and are waiting to get all the parts back together for the front pilot. They were hooping to get her ready for the LCCA / Frontier days, but as we all know on steam.....fix one thing, find 3 more wrong. There hopping to get her ready for the Sept tour.....
UP announced yesterday (September 15) that 3985 will be pulling the Ringling Bros Circus Train between Speer Wyoming and Denver Colorago on September 28. http://www.uprr.com/newsinfo/releases/heritage_and_steam/2010/0915_mo-river-eagle.shtml
Myfolks and I are gonna see if we can catch train at La Salle in the AM. Then continue to Casper, WY. According to UP online, schedule is: Depart Cheyenne - 6AM Arrive Speer Jct - 6:20AM. Depart Speer Jct - 7:30AM Arrive Denver - 10AM No public display of 3985 in Denver. Wednesday, 09/29 Depart Denver - 9AM Arrive Cheyenne - 12:30PM Times are approximate. Depends on whether problems arise. Might try to get photo(s)/video posted sometime tomorrow night, when we get home.
That's UP's schedule. The usual circus schedule, as roughly pt by a father of a ringmaster: Departure time is 6. If we make it out by 9, we're early. 11 and we're on time." I don't see that happening with 3985 being special, but you know what they say about Live theatre... ("That's why they call it live theater..." when things start going horribly "off script")
Gonna have to try and locate scanner now. This way, at least I'll have a way to hopefully find out what's going on! Even if we don't see the train, I'm not missing anything!! After all, you see it once, you've seen it enough! And I'm NOT that crazy about steam as it is. Just happen to be taking a short one day trip the same day the Challenger decides to run.
No, but this is a unique event. It's as close to the "old days" as we can getr without running the train in sections with 844. I wish I were out to see it pull the circus
Departure changed to 6 a.m. on 9/29: No. 3985 will be departing Denver early Wed. due to track work. Depart at 6 a.m. Arrive Cheyenne 9:30 a.m.
Got photos. Just gotta get them off the camera, sized and posted! Was hoping to return in the AM to catch the return trip. But, if departure time has in fact changed, I'm NOT gonna go! Caught train this AM, then continued to Casper, WY. Stay tuned, I'll see if I can get my pics uploaded and posted!
