3985 chugging towards Eugene, OR

During 3985's 2005 tour through Oregon, it chugs on to Eugene.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• union
• pacific
• railroad
• train
• steam
• locomotive
• 3985

[suckboy]

It always irritates me when I see a nice video like this and then see comments from people who think the diesels are there to "help" the steamer pull the train. The Challenger class engines were so powerful that they could pull trains UNASSISTED that would require three or more diesels to pull today. There is in fact a video on YouTube of 3985 doing just that; pulling a 140+ car freight train ALONE over Archer Hill. Average diesel horsepower is about 2000. #3985 has around three times that.

[F40PHR231]

Right on the nail! I work with the crew of the 4449, and every time the steamer goes out people always ask what we use to make the steam look so realistic. Lots of face palms there... Even after many attempts to show and prove that it's a real steam engine, some people still walk away unconvinced. Lol

[MrZkr123]

@suckboy also wat most people don't realize is the diesel's are only on to provide HEP to the cars

[F40PHR231]

@MrZkr123 That is incorrect, because the UP diesels don't have the capability to provide HEP. The diesels are used for dynamics, and since the Challenger just eased off a big mountain grade, it saved wear/tear on the brake shoes.

[F40PHR231]

The diesels were certainly not helping 3985, but simply providing dynamic braking ability for the passes. Dynamic brakes help slow a train down without using brake shoes, and on a looooong downhill pass, that's a lot of brake shoes! 3985 did just fine pulling by herself!

[GDFox95]

You guys know that this is the Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey circus train right? It's also the largest steam train and pretty much the longest train ever.

[Gaiathecreator90]

OH MY GOD! THATS MY OLD HO SCALE TRAIN! :D

[The2000redrocket]

@suckboy there are strong diesels. there are strong steamers. those that do not believe that one steamer can do it just has to look at the video. notice no diesel with the train? non passanger does not need a dynamic braking setup. the only steamer strongest close to operation i think is a virginia steamer

[sgtredbluered]

@suckboy The diesels are for pushing the steam locomotive, the Americans didn't land on the moon, and 9-11 was an inside job, don't you know. : )

[boazrg]

@ConrailJon YES. Liability is the name of the game! It's very gracious of UP to maintain steam engines on their active list of motive power, and to promote steam excusions. CSX will not allow any steam engines on their property, even for transportation with rods off.

[ConrailJon]

@suckboy What irritates me is the foamers who think that even for a second a Class 1 railroad would let a steam locomotive onto their tracks without a diesel back up. It's all about liability and insurance these days. Could 3985 pull that train by itself? You bet your ass it could. Is UP or any other railroad going to let the engine go out without a diesel somewhere in the consist? While UP has done this in the past, it's not likely today.

[jigbobby]

Great to see 3985 for 33 seconds without the horn being blown.

[Gunny761]

@MovieModerator The point that people are trying to make is that 3985 is pulling that load alone, rather than linked up as diesels are. Besides, diesels aren't usually designed to be the high-horsepower behemoths like the Challengers. They are made to be easy to put together, so that you can just couple however many engines you need to get the job done, rather than big single units. Also, SD90MACs are no longer in production, partially due to their unreliability, partially due to emissions.