>>1451570>>1451571Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it looks like it's for real:
http://cs.trains.com/ctr/b/mileposts/archive/2020/01/17/the-challenger-at-high-tide.aspx?
That said, UP applied for a PTC waiver for all three locomotives (844, 4014, 3985) in 2019 which seems to suggest that they had some intention of running it after 2019. Only time will tell.
844 has an existing parts locomotive in storage, 838 (pic related), so 844 will likely remain in service for many years to come. 4014 was apparently already in fantastic shape when restoration began, and that should keep it going for a few decades at least. 3985 is one of two; the other loco will likely never be used for parts, meaning putting 3985 back on the rails is time consuming and expensive. If we ever see it run again it will likely be a decade or more.
Then again, with the T1 trust and other replica steam locomotives being built, 3985 may stand a pretty good chance of seeing operation again eventually. Key word: eventually.
