Seen on the UPRR in 1981: 844 &3985 doubleheaded in Wyoming

Big news for many American railfans in 2008 was the return to service of the 3985 which has spent the past three years in the UP Steam Shop enjoying an extensive overhaul. This reminded me of the great excitement that accompanied news of the Challenger's first return to service back in 1981. Being the "Doubting Thomas" that I am, I loaded my wife and our two young sons into our little Datsun 710 and drove all the way from Alamosa, CO to Green River, WY just to see and photograph it for myself.

This video presents the super8sound movie footage I filmed on that memorable day as the 3985, doubleheaded with the 8444, thundered across Wyoming on the return from its debut in Sacramento, CA. The sound quality is pretty awful but don't let that get in the way.

Ironically, twenty-four years later, in 2005, my wife, our two sons and our five grandchildren were chasing doubleheaded 844 and 3985 from Denver to Cheyenne when the 3985 made it clear that the overhaul was due. You can see video of that event at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghVEEqcPWSU

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• 3985
• 844
• Challenger
• railfan
• railroad
• railway
• steam_engine
• train

[sgtredbluered]

Were they both burning coal back then?

[gothpapa]

@sgtredbluered  Yes!

[ThomasRivette]

The 3985 is a 4-6-6-4, not a 2-6-6-2.

[gothpapa]

Oh no, did I do that again? Well, I'm not very good with numbers.

[gothpapa]

@chevyalltheway06 I didn't realize it was converted that early! It was still just an infant.

[gothpapa]

@chevyalltheway06 Thanks. When was she converted?. I'll be the first to admit I'm not a detail man. During my six years on the C&TS I never could keep the K36/K37 thing straight -- well, I did know that the 463 wasn't either one of those.

[844jim]

Always love your classic UP Steam videos. 

[gothpapa]

Well, Happy Birthday. Mine is 7/6, but not '81.

I believe they were returning from some big event at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, grand opening maybe. You might be able to Google that.

[ma7799]

I was born on 7/7/81, so I am trying to find a film or pic of a train that was taken the day I was born!

[gothpapa]

Hey, I'm doing good to get the year right on most of my stuff!