Seen on the UPRR, July 2005: 3985, 844, and 6936, Part 2 of 2

The 2005 edition of the Denver Post Cheyenne Frontier Days Steam Special had some problems that transformed it into a unique opportunity for railfan photographers. It started out from Denver, CO, as planned, behind UP Challenger 3985 and the recently rebuilt Northern 844. But the 3985 was taken off the train at Fort Lupton due to mechanical problems, and the 844 handled it solo to LaSalle where three diesel units were added "just in case." Returning from Greeley, the 844 was backed up by DD40X 6939.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• 844
• 3985
• 6936
• Challenger
• doubleheader
• locomotive
• railfan
• railroad
• railway
• steam
• train
• UP

[WhyAyeMann]

oh come now, Three diesels?

[gothpapa]

I believe the 844 had just returned to service after overhaul and was still in "breakin mode," 3985 was there for backup, and the 3-unit lashup is routinely kept at LaSalle for emergencies. In the event, it was the 3985 that went down and had to be taken off at Ft. Lupton, leaving the 844 without backup. They didn't want to risk the 844 going down also and tying up the line, so the diesel lashup met the train at Greeley to take over 3985's backup role. Best option and sensible precaution.

[fafnir242]

If I ever win the lottery I am personally going to oversee the overhaul of the 6930 up at the Illinois Railway Museum.

[4x4Mudmaster]

i think its cool to see the steam locomotives back in service.

[rogerstill71]

Awe-inspiring...magnifique! Well done, Clovis!

[k750iL]

I wish i could buy this as a private train (with the dd40x of course) thanx this was truly nice to see 19 passenger cars longest ive seen!!

[cool45010]

Aw, come on Union Pacific, you know ol' 844 can pull that train herself without even breaking a sweat!

[Barricade360]

@fafnir242 amen i hope that happens i would love to see all of the dda40xs get rebuilt as well as the bigboys

[Rtchugg]

844 is the lest powerful 4-8-4

[WOWJBEOWULF]

My grandfather was a train engineer; they took him on the railroad at World War Two, and as a veteran of World War One. I like trains, I had a train engineer hat and train set before I entered school.

[WOWJBEOWULF]

I love trains, my grandfather was an engineer; trained the old way; he was accepted at the start of World War Two, after serving the First World War, the shortage of men accepted him. His entire career was trains, one of my youth pictures was a train engineer hat, and it was good for my train playset. America needs trains.

[WildGuy00000]

where have you been the last 49 years?

[gothpapa]

Oh, that! Of course I was confusing the weight of the "real thing" with the weight of the G gauge model ;-)).

[ajb07]

You stated about the DD40X that 'They were 98 feet long and weighed in at 30 tons'