Challenger 3985

Union Pacific's steam locomotive #3985 (at the time this program was produced) was the largest operating steam locomotive in the world. This 4-6-6-4 locomotive, built in 1943 , ran as part of the railroad's public relations program.
In this video, we'll follow 3985, which is also called the "Challenger", in Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma & Texas as she shows the public what big steam was really like.

Highlights

Visit the Cheyenne Steam Shop to see where 3985 is maintained.

See some of the historical equipment still in the roundhouse at the time.

Follow the engine on it's ferry move across Nebraska

Enjoy her pulling an excursion from Council Bluffs to Sioux City, Iowa

3985's NRHS convention trip from St. Louis to Gorham, IL

Action between McAlester, Oklahoma and Houston, Texas

If you like big steam, you'll love the Challenger!

0:00 Introduction
2:29 Bob Krieger
6:53 Archer
9:16 Point of Rocks
10:41 North Platte
12:46 Gibbon
15:19 Duncan
15:46 Schuyler
16:49 Ames
23:00 Crescent
23:13 Modale
24:05 Soldier River
25:13 South of Sergeant Bluff
27:41 River Sioux
28:55 Loveland
29:27 Council Bluffs, IA
33:05 South of Chester
33:15 Raddle
33:32 North of Gorham
34:31 Departing Gorham
37:48 North of Valmeyer
43:59 Gray Summit
45:11 Smithton
45:21 Sedalia
45:29 West of Lamont
47:05 Depart McAlester
47:35 N. of Kiowa
47:49 Stringtown
49:25 Cross Kiamachi RR
50:06 Tioga
50:12 Lake Ray Roberts
52:52 Sycamore School Road
54:16 Marlin
54:45 Bryan
57:14 Navasota
58:05 Independence, Kansas
58:37 Coffeyville, Kansas