3985 Front Engine Removal
On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, RRHMA crew worked to carefully remove the front engine unit from Union Pacific #3985.
After many days of preparation work for the removal of the front engine unit, crew member devised a plan of action and was executed flawlessly. This marks the first time that the front engine of Union Pacific No. 3985 has been removed from the locomotive since the end of the steam era.
Let’s take a deep dive into the front engine removal process:
The first step that our crews took in the front engine removal of #3985 was to move the engine over a pit. This articulated engine is held together by a 8″ diameter by 20 1/4″ length pin made of steel. Moving the engine over the pit is a tedious yet necessary step, due to the pin being placed inside the two frames from underneath the locomotive.
This pin is held in place with four 1 1/2″ bolts to act as keepers along with a retaining plate, also bolted onto the frame. This is added as a secondary device to catch the pin in the event of the keeper bolts failing in operation.
Crews first started by heating the bolts holding the retaining plate in place and removing it. Afterwards, removed 2 out of the 4 keeper bolts holding the pin in place. Only 2 bolts were removed to allow a transmission jack to sit inside the pit and gradually drop the pin.
As the other two bolts were removed and the pin was ready to drop, it was quickly noted that the weight of the locomotive was holding the pin in place underneath. To combat this, crews then began moving to the next step: hooking the crane to the underside of the barrel in preparation for lifting.
Once the locomotive straps were fastened underneath the barrel of the engine, we then began applying tension to the underside of the locomotive, and the pin holding the front and rear engine units in tandem became loose and then dropped out, onto the transmission jack. Crews then lowered the pin to the bottom of the pit, and was removed for tagging, cleaning and inspection. The pin shows no signs of significant wear, and is deemed to be in fair condition and able to be re-used.
With the pin successfully removed from the front and rear engine, it is now time for crews to carefully remove the front engine unit.
An articulated front-end loader was securely fastened to the knuckle of the #3985’s front engine unit, and the rear engine and boiler were securely fastened to the rails in the event that maneuvering was necessary to separate the two units. Once all tools and objects were in the clear, our crew began carefully lifting the boiler of #3985. Slowly, the front engine was removed from underneath the boiler.
Crews successfully pulled the front engine unit with no issues. We would like to thank all those involved with the process of removing the front engine, and all the volunteers who have put countless hours into getting us closer to this milestone.
On Friday, April 25 2025, members of Railroading Heritage of Midwest America had the first opportunity to view the front engine unit and converse with crews on the removal process. On Saturday, April 26 2025, the shop was opened to the general public to view the front engine on a guided shop tour. Members of RRHMA had the first opportunity to purchase tickets for this event and be the first to know about the front engine removal.
Members are the first to receive updates as they release to the public. To become a member, click the “Become a Member” button and become apart of Union Pacific #3985’s restoration journey.