@HaloCE14 Steve Lee is right the problem with a Big Boy well as the name implies it is too big you try moving a locomotive the size of a Beluga whale down the rails it would not fit. plus have you seen a Big Boy they are huge. I would leave that giant dead and in the depot then on the rails. I don't want to see ties getting crushed.
It has been retored and is being used for excursion trains. I think railroad fans should write the UP and thank them for the millions they have spent retoring this engine and the 844, not to mention keeping them running. Everyplace they go, thousands flock to the rails to catch a photo or video of them passing by. Amazing, living, US history.....
They have one fire box where the coal is burned but when they convert it over the oil the put in an oil burner. It sprays oil in a fine mist and then ignites it to produce the steam. The Challengers fire box allows for 1 burner but the Big Boys fire box is too big. It needs multiple to spread the flame over the surface and keep it from warping.
The problem they had with burning oil is they used a single burner like in the Challenger. The Big Boy has a bigger firebox so it would heat unevenly when the used a single burner. They should try multiple burners to spread out the heat.
Just think. Some idiots want her and all other steam engines scrapped because THEY want metal to sell. You don't scrap a perfect working condition engine do you? Saying to scrap these is like saying "scrap all diesel engines" because they both run on gas/oil...
No really...there was no diesel locomotive in the consist at all. I think what you must hear are the generators or air conditioning units at least one of the passenger cars had built into it. Either that or a truck going by on the adjacent highway.
Though 3985 does sometimes run with a diesel, I don't see one in the vid. And I hope you're not suggesting it NEEDS one. There's a nice vid of this engine pulling a 143 car heavy freight over Archer Hill unassisted - a feat that would probably require three diesels. You can find it elsewhere on youtube.
yes it would be \/ery nice if that happened. but short of winning the lottery UP wont spend that kind of money to restore one of those locos. The other thing is they had tried to make one of the 4000 series a oil burner but were unsuccessful in the attempt, i think it was 4041 that the tried that with.
Its fact that even with 6 crew/engineers), time for a water load, and coal refill, its about half the cost of running a diesel electric ( if In the same running condition)right now with the cost of diesel fuel. 50% of the power produced in the USA is coal. The 4000 series were designed to take the place of 2 or 3 train engines, at the current price of diesel, restoring and using one isnt that far off IMHO
while that is true now wait until coal is put back in to demand by the railway and other energy users. then there would be the whole maintance of all those parts in motion.
I think, with modern technology, we could manage auto oilers with a computer, use a regen braking on the tender, ,and burn PA ( Antracite)( HARD) Coal! Burns cleaner, use a spark arrestor, and get it done. If 50 of electric plants in the US burn coal, and pass emissions, the Big Boy can. 25 million BTU/ton cannot be beat!!!
You see here. You're using logic. That's the difference between you and politicians.
Hate to punch a whole in your theoery though. I read somewhere that the Challengers were converted to burn oil to prevent grass fires. No big deal though. But those problems are solvable.
I was very privileged to get to the Challenger 3985 come through Minnesota in 2002 (Northfield, twice). It was an incredible and wonderful sight, esp. for someone old enough to remember the real days of steam. nice to see it here in slower motion. I have a question: as it went by, there were bright flashes eminating from the undercarriage, just ahead of the cab. Does anyone know what this is?
I'm not sure what you're referring too. I thought it might be a glimpse of the flames in the firebox, but I don't see that. All I see is the running gear moving up and down and the sunlight shining through from the other side of the engine...
Well, that's what I've thought it must be too-something to do with the firebox. That is consistent with where the flashes appeared to be, not in this video though; in the two runby's that I saw in person. I'm just not sure if from the firebox (which would only make sense), or if otherwise, exactly what the origin is. (post to be continued ...)
I don't know steam technology well, and perhaps some firebox discharge, which distinctly appeared to be in synch with each piston stroke, is part of the basic technology for steam locomotives. Is it? Or is it something unique to this class or era of steam engines? Or are these flashes of some other origin? I know that Challenger 3985 was converted from its original coal firing to being fuel oil-fired around 1990. Maybe the flashing has something to do with this conversion? (continued ...)
Burnett said "that is a challenge for any locomotive" and Jeffers replied "it certainly is...let's call them "Challengers". After the meeting Jeffers sent a memo to the Advertising Department in which he said he wanted the name "Challenger" used in all press releases about the new locomotive.
During a meeting in 1936, in which Otto Jablemann and William Jetters, the Executive VP of the Union Pacific System listened to J. W. Burnett, the General Superintendent of Motive Power and Machinery, propose a test run for the new locomotive. Burnett had decided to operate it unassisted from Ogden to Wahsatch and then run fast over to Green River before turning back to Ogden with another train
When Union Pacific rebuilt it in the eighties they converted it to run on fuel oil. The main (black)tender carries it and the other two are full of water
Внушаить, чёртъ возьми.
JanJanych 6 months ago
Great footage
anthem70 7 months ago
Why is it dropping water?
m173627 11 months ago
@m173627 overflow on the injector that puts water into the boiler
northersteame 8 months ago
In some cases the FRA requires diesels with a steam train on steep grades for dynamic braking not to help the steam locomotive.
southparkline1 1 year ago
@HaloCE14 that might be good if they can get 6611 and 1218 operational they have been mothballed in 1994.
geomodelrailroader 1 year ago
@HaloCE14 I agree but NS abandoned their steam program the only UP has a Steam program the others are ran by museums
geomodelrailroader 1 year ago
@HaloCE14 Steve Lee is right the problem with a Big Boy well as the name implies it is too big you try moving a locomotive the size of a Beluga whale down the rails it would not fit. plus have you seen a Big Boy they are huge. I would leave that giant dead and in the depot then on the rails. I don't want to see ties getting crushed.
geomodelrailroader 1 year ago
amazing
kirbyfan600 1 year ago
Both the big boy and the chalger look the same a little
KilleTheHedgehog8492 1 year ago
Is Challenger 3985 still capable of running?
09JDCTrainMan 2 years ago
It has been retored and is being used for excursion trains. I think railroad fans should write the UP and thank them for the millions they have spent retoring this engine and the 844, not to mention keeping them running. Everyplace they go, thousands flock to the rails to catch a photo or video of them passing by. Amazing, living, US history.....
91W350 2 years ago
@09JDCTrainMan
yes it is they do maintenance on it couple of times a year to make sure its still in running order
ocrailfanner1995 2 years ago
No the fire box will not be removed or altered. They put an oil burner inside the fire box when they convert it to fuel oil.
disturbedone5009 2 years ago
They have one fire box where the coal is burned but when they convert it over the oil the put in an oil burner. It sprays oil in a fine mist and then ignites it to produce the steam. The Challengers fire box allows for 1 burner but the Big Boys fire box is too big. It needs multiple to spread the flame over the surface and keep it from warping.
disturbedone5009 2 years ago
Instead of one burner in the fire box use 2 or 3 just spaced out inside to spread out the heat.
disturbedone5009 2 years ago
The problem they had with burning oil is they used a single burner like in the Challenger. The Big Boy has a bigger firebox so it would heat unevenly when the used a single burner. They should try multiple burners to spread out the heat.
disturbedone5009 2 years ago
That train is taller than those hopper cars. Hard to believe.
09JDCTrainMan 2 years ago
Im not a big UP steam fan, but I wonder if the UP have considered repairing a bigboy to operational use?
badboylll 2 years ago
Just think. Some idiots want her and all other steam engines scrapped because THEY want metal to sell. You don't scrap a perfect working condition engine do you? Saying to scrap these is like saying "scrap all diesel engines" because they both run on gas/oil...
DeltaPhi79 2 years ago 3
shes a ghost of the past, hearing her blast her whistle cokes me up
NA337reborn 2 years ago 3
Holy crap,, it's even got a badass whistle,,,,I want one .....
fjbutch 2 years ago 7
I want a UP Big Boy...Now THAT is a baby to own.
keikoandgilly 2 years ago 7
thumbs up to that !!
fjbutch 2 years ago
what a beauty, hey do those things run for show and for the camera or do they run to pull things? wish i cud asee a real steam train :( 5/5
Meatybenji116 3 years ago 4
Sounds like a diesel is pushing...
MacGyver1179 3 years ago
There was a diesel on the other track waiting for the main line to clear.
Atomitod 3 years ago
no... challenger 3985 has a diesel with it....
micahthatrocks 3 years ago
No really...there was no diesel locomotive in the consist at all. I think what you must hear are the generators or air conditioning units at least one of the passenger cars had built into it. Either that or a truck going by on the adjacent highway.
Atomitod 3 years ago 3
and the diesel that's behind it requires the electricity for the air conditioner.
lockgnarvangoogen 2 years ago
@Atomitod he heard a HEP car running.
6V92TA 11 months ago
Though 3985 does sometimes run with a diesel, I don't see one in the vid. And I hope you're not suggesting it NEEDS one. There's a nice vid of this engine pulling a 143 car heavy freight over Archer Hill unassisted - a feat that would probably require three diesels. You can find it elsewhere on youtube.
suckboy 2 years ago
love big steam engines..such a beauty & awesome horn
ParanormalStateRocks 3 years ago
i want to see it crush a tank .
GeorgeT50 3 years ago 2
i do too, but it would ruin the locomotive. and it would cost money to repair
TheNewDorkTimes 3 years ago
Truly amazing how massive that thing is, dwarfs a modern locomotive.
BRTowe 3 years ago 4
yes it would be \/ery nice if that happened. but short of winning the lottery UP wont spend that kind of money to restore one of those locos. The other thing is they had tried to make one of the 4000 series a oil burner but were unsuccessful in the attempt, i think it was 4041 that the tried that with.
frosty012 3 years ago
Its fact that even with 6 crew/engineers), time for a water load, and coal refill, its about half the cost of running a diesel electric ( if In the same running condition)right now with the cost of diesel fuel. 50% of the power produced in the USA is coal. The 4000 series were designed to take the place of 2 or 3 train engines, at the current price of diesel, restoring and using one isnt that far off IMHO
Formulabruce 3 years ago
while that is true now wait until coal is put back in to demand by the railway and other energy users. then there would be the whole maintance of all those parts in motion.
frosty012 3 years ago
I think, with modern technology, we could manage auto oilers with a computer, use a regen braking on the tender, ,and burn PA ( Antracite)( HARD) Coal! Burns cleaner, use a spark arrestor, and get it done. If 50 of electric plants in the US burn coal, and pass emissions, the Big Boy can. 25 million BTU/ton cannot be beat!!!
Formulabruce 3 years ago
You see here. You're using logic. That's the difference between you and politicians.
Hate to punch a whole in your theoery though. I read somewhere that the Challengers were converted to burn oil to prevent grass fires. No big deal though. But those problems are solvable.
Plisken1986 3 years ago
Yes. they were converted to burn oil.
DeltaPhi79 3 years ago
I was very privileged to get to the Challenger 3985 come through Minnesota in 2002 (Northfield, twice). It was an incredible and wonderful sight, esp. for someone old enough to remember the real days of steam. nice to see it here in slower motion. I have a question: as it went by, there were bright flashes eminating from the undercarriage, just ahead of the cab. Does anyone know what this is?
Cyclist051 3 years ago
I'm not sure what you're referring too. I thought it might be a glimpse of the flames in the firebox, but I don't see that. All I see is the running gear moving up and down and the sunlight shining through from the other side of the engine...
Atomitod 3 years ago
Well, that's what I've thought it must be too-something to do with the firebox. That is consistent with where the flashes appeared to be, not in this video though; in the two runby's that I saw in person. I'm just not sure if from the firebox (which would only make sense), or if otherwise, exactly what the origin is. (post to be continued ...)
Cyclist051 3 years ago
I don't know steam technology well, and perhaps some firebox discharge, which distinctly appeared to be in synch with each piston stroke, is part of the basic technology for steam locomotives. Is it? Or is it something unique to this class or era of steam engines? Or are these flashes of some other origin? I know that Challenger 3985 was converted from its original coal firing to being fuel oil-fired around 1990. Maybe the flashing has something to do with this conversion? (continued ...)
Cyclist051 3 years ago
3985 was converted to oil fire a few years ago.
EastPennProductions 3 years ago
beauty is the beast.
WilbertVereAwdry 3 years ago 2
What a BEAST!
SteffanLlwyd 4 years ago
Beauty!!!
Darbkin 4 years ago
Burnett said "that is a challenge for any locomotive" and Jeffers replied "it certainly is...let's call them "Challengers". After the meeting Jeffers sent a memo to the Advertising Department in which he said he wanted the name "Challenger" used in all press releases about the new locomotive.
Sorry, passed the 500 limit.
BigBoy4023 4 years ago 4
During a meeting in 1936, in which Otto Jablemann and William Jetters, the Executive VP of the Union Pacific System listened to J. W. Burnett, the General Superintendent of Motive Power and Machinery, propose a test run for the new locomotive. Burnett had decided to operate it unassisted from Ogden to Wahsatch and then run fast over to Green River before turning back to Ogden with another train
BigBoy4023 4 years ago 2
Long live steam engines :(
ReilsHR 4 years ago
Nice vid.
Does anybody know what the name "Challenger" came from? What locomotive was it challenging?
KjellBrel 4 years ago
Great runby man! You really can appreciate the 3985 when she slowly steps by you.
CSX6000 4 years ago
i believe it has something like 300 tons of coal in that tender
Nec1228 4 years ago
All steam engines have been refurbished to run on oil. Cleaner burning and less corrosion on the firebox. That includes this baby.
NightmareKato 4 years ago 3
Not so...765 is still a coal burner, as is 261.
Superedit 4 years ago
@NightmareKato except Strasburg's. All four of theirs burn coal :)
tachikoma747 1 year ago
Great catch!
Superedit 4 years ago
I like the Challenger
trailertrash611 4 years ago
That thing is HUGE!!! Does anybody know how much coal it takes to keep that thing running?
CarCrazy12804 5 years ago
When Union Pacific rebuilt it in the eighties they converted it to run on fuel oil. The main (black)tender carries it and the other two are full of water
katman8816 5 years ago
Yeah. Firing it alone on MSTS is a challenge enough, much less real life.
THEFINALHAZARD 4 years ago 2
its 16 feet tall says one of my books
gloocoos 5 years ago
Simply amazing!
Knighter42 5 years ago
NOW THAT'S A BIG TRAIN.
jonathanecaswell 5 years ago
its the worlds biggest operatonal steam locomotive still in operation
lvanciel 4 years ago
What a monster of an engine! Imagine being in charge of one of those things.
JimTLonW6 5 years ago
Awesome!
UPTRAIN 5 years ago