Hot Water Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Chuck in Wallowa County Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Official word from UP to the Steam Club:
> >
> > The Challenger No. 3985 Will Remain Officially
> > Retired
> >
> > Since work was completed on No. 4014 people
> have
> > asked about the fate of The Challenger No.
> 3985.
> >
> > The short answer: There are no plans to restore
> > No. 3985. Many years of hard operation have
> > resulted in the locomotive requiring a complete
> > frame-up restoration similar to what was needed
> to
> > make No. 4014 operational.
>
>
> As usual, more lies from the current manager. All
> 3985 REALLY required was the FRA mandated boiler
> resercification (I think due in 2013?). Her main
> running gear is essentially new, i.e. tires,
> crankpins, springs, and spring rigging pins &
> bushings.
>
>
> Historically, Union
> > Pacific's steam program has had two steam
> > locomotives on its roster, and that count will
> > remain the same moving forward.
> >
> > No. 3985 last operated in "regular" train
> service
> > in 1957. It was retired in 1962 and stored in
> the
> > roundhouse in Cheyenne, Wyoming, until 1975
> when
> > it was placed on display near the Cheyenne
> depot.
> > A group of Union Pacific employees volunteered
> > their services to restore the locomotive to
> > running condition in 1981.
> >
> > Where No. 3985 will ultimately reside is still
> in
> > question, but it's safe to say the locomotive
> will
> > remain officially retired from service.

He wants it to end up as far away from Cheyenne as possible. It's very existence is an open wound for him, as it represents what was accomplished before he came along.
Next he will want to gold-plate 844 in an effort to get it retired, as well.