SILVIS, Ill. – Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (RRHMA) continues to make progress on several projects at its former Rock Island shop in Silvis. The group is planning to return to service former Union Pacific Challenger No. 3985, 2-10-2 No. 5511, and “Centennial” DDA40X diesel No. 6936.
National Railway Equipment, which shares the Silvis shop complex with RRHMA, has been working on No. 6936, making any repairs necessary to bring it back to operating condition. It is one of a class of 47 Centennials built for UP between 1969 and 1971, the largest diesel locomotives ever built in terms of size. They were named Centennials since their debut coincided with the Golden Spike Centennial in 1969. When repaired, No. 6936 will be the only operating Centennial of 13 preserved by UP.
Work continues on Union Pacific No. 5511, the sole surviving UP 2-10-2. The fire brick has been removed to facilitate an upcoming inspection of the firebox. Safety valves have been removed and are on their way for rebuilding, and the dynamo (used to generate electricity for headlights and lighting on the locomotive) has also been removed. No. 5511 was built by Baldwin in 1923 and last ran in the early 1950s.
Challenger 4-6-6-4 No. 3985 has had its safety valves been removed and sent out for rebuild. Lube lines are in the process of being removed in order to have new ones made. Cylinder and valve heads have been removed for cleaning and inspection; the majority of the valve gear has been removed for the rear engine. Inspection of stay bolts and the firebox continues, along with cleaning and scrubbing on the rest of the engine and frame. The front flue sheet is being prepped for removal and replacement. The inside of the cab is having items removed it as well, in preparation for rebuilding. No. 3985 was built by American Locomotive Co. in 1943 and last operated in 2010 as part of UP’s steam program.
RRHMA has been contracted by Union Pacific to rebuild Big Boy No. 4014’s original tender, converting it from coal to oil. No. 4014 currently uses No. 3985’s tender, which will be moved to Silvis once 4014’s tender rebuild is complete. Recently brand new wheels sets for the tender arrived at Silvis, but much work needs to be done to the tender before they can be installed. The tender to be rebuilt was originally paired with Big Boy No. 4015. It was common in the steam era for tenders to be changed out between engines.
RRHMA was recently hired by CPKC to repaint former Kansas City Southern business Veracruz. RRHMA crews sanded out old lettering, repaired damaged exterior paneling, and then primed, painted, and lettered the car in CPKC colors of Auburn Night Mist to match other cars in the former Canadian Pacific fleet. The car retains KCS lettering on the letterboard.
