Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (RHMA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote public understanding of the history of railroading in the Midwest. RHMA accomplishes this goal by preserving, restoring, operating and interpreting historic locomotives and rail cars. We were founded in 1991, and since then we’ve become a leader in the world of historic rail preservation through various restoration and excursion efforts.
Union Pacific Steam Club wrote:We're pleased to announce that we have donated a small portion of our heritage fleet to the non-profit Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (RRHMA). The donation allows Union Pacific to focus on our remaining fleet, which includes the world's largest steam locomotive, the Big Boy UP 4014, and the fastest, the Living Legend UP 844.
The donation includes the following equipment from Union Pacific's Steam Shop in Cheyenne, Wyoming:
- 4-6-6-4 Challenger UP 3985
- Class TTT 2-10-2 UP 5511
- The Centennial UP 6936
- E9B passenger locomotive shell
- Four 1950s coach cars
- Diner-Lounge car
- Baggage car
- Caboose
"Union Pacific is proud to be the only Class I railroad with steam locomotives on its roster, part of the finest heritage fleet in the world," said Scott Moore, senior vice president – Corporate Relations and chief administrative officer. "We are pleased with RRHMA's plans to restore the donated equipment for the public to enjoy. Union Pacific remains dedicated to the maintenance and operation of our remaining heritage fleet, including hosting future tours and sharing UP 4014 and UP 844 with the rail community."
- Two business cars: the Selma, previously Western Pacific's Feather River, and the Stanford, originally the 1928 Southern Pacific Sunset
Union Pacific will move the equipment to RRHMA's shop in Silvis, Illinois, later this year. RRHMA plans a multi-year, multi-million-dollar restoration of the equipment, including restoring the steam locomotives to operating condition.
"The RRHMA is a wonderful home for this historic equipment," said Ed Dickens, steam locomotive engineer and Steam Program manager. "Railfans will look forward to seeing UP 3985 and UP 5511 return to the rails, as well as enjoy the opportunity to experience the various cars being donated."
More information about moving these locomotives from Cheyenne to Silvis, Illinois will come later. As always, we'll keep Steam Club members updated.
I was surprised to see that too.
I believe their only track is the old Rock Island switch yard in Silvis. Until recently it was owned by NRE and they had hundreds of old locomotives stored there.
Tuesday, November 15UP wrote:Union Pacific will be delivering a small portion of its heritage fleet that was donated to non-profit Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (RRHMA) in November. The donated equipment, which includes Challenger No. 3985, TTT-6 No. 5511, Centennial No. 6936 and several passenger rail cars, will leave Union Pacific’s Steam Shop in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on Nov. 11, and will make periodic maintenance stops along the way in Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska and Iowa. The donated locomotives will not be under power during this trip and will be pulled by diesel locomotives.
3985 hasn't run since 2010 and was technically retired a few years ago.S.O.Boy wrote: Wed Oct 26, 2022 6:30 pm They are retiring the 4-6-6-4 Challenger No. 3985 and The Centennial No. 6936
You are right about the Challenger, it needed service and instead they rebuilt the Big Boy.Brad wrote: Thu Oct 27, 2022 9:49 pm3985 hasn't run since 2010 and was technically retired a few years ago.S.O.Boy wrote: Wed Oct 26, 2022 6:30 pm They are retiring the 4-6-6-4 Challenger No. 3985 and The Centennial No. 6936
I was a bit surprised they donated the 6936.
RHMA says they are restoring all 3 donated locomotives to operating condition and supposedly already have the money raised for it.
It needs a frame off restoration like the BigBoy.S.O.Boy wrote: Sat Oct 29, 2022 12:01 am You are right about the Challenger, it needed service and instead they rebuilt the Big Boy.
Union Pacific has since removed this schedule from their website.Brad wrote: Wed Oct 26, 2022 1:37 pm Mark your calendars, the UP Donation Special is coming through Omaha
Heritage Donation Special Schedule
https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/schedule/index.htm
Tuesday, November 15UP wrote:Union Pacific will be delivering a small portion of its heritage fleet that was donated to non-profit Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (RRHMA) in November. The donated equipment, which includes Challenger No. 3985, TTT-6 No. 5511, Centennial No. 6936 and several passenger rail cars, will leave Union Pacific’s Steam Shop in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on Nov. 11, and will make periodic maintenance stops along the way in Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska and Iowa. The donated locomotives will not be under power during this trip and will be pulled by diesel locomotives.
Grand Island, Neb.
NO PUBLIC ACCESS
Depart 8:00 a.m. CT
Columbus, Neb.
26th Avenue Crossing
Arrival Noon CT
Depart 12:45 p.m. CT
Fremont, Neb.
10 S. Main St.
Arrival 3:00 p.m. CT
Depart 3:30 p.m. CT
Council Bluffs, Iowa
NO PUBLIC ACCESS
Arrival 5:45 p.m. CT
Wednesday, November 16
Council Bluffs, Iowa
NO PUBLIC ACCESS
No events planned
Thursday, November 17
Council Bluffs, Iowa
NO PUBLIC ACCESS
Depart 8:00 a.m. CT
Missouri Valley, Iowa
6th Street Crossing
Arrival 9:30 a.m. CT
Depart 9:50 a.m. CT
Denison, Iowa
Main Street Crossing
Arrival Noon CT
Depart 12:45 p.m. CT
Carroll, Iowa
407 W. 5th St.
Arrival 2:15 p.m. CT
Depart 2:35 p.m. CT
Boone, Iowa
NO PUBLIC ACCESS
Arrival 5:30 p.m. CT
Full Schedule at the link above.
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https://rrhma.com/june-2026-update/Railroading Heritage of Midwest America wrote:RRHMA has been working nonstop to boost forward progress for Union Pacific #3985 and Union Pacific #5511. While updates have been quiet since the start of this year, it does not mean RRHMA crew has stopped working- in fact, quite the opposite!