The Challenger Union Pacific 4-6-6-4 3985 inside the former Rock Island shop at Silvis, Illinois. Built in 1943 by the American Locomotive Company, 3985 has been donated by Union Pacific R... (more)

Here is a unique topside of view of UP Challenger 3985 as it is led east from Sidney, Nebraska.

Everything just worked out perfectly for this chase with the Challenger 3985. It had spent the night in Pocatello, Idaho. I departed early eastbound with cool temperature, so the smoke and steam w... (more)

After putting together its tool cars, UP 3985 is ready to depart the fairgrounds where it has been on display for Topeka Railroad Days.

UP 3985 is headed to the 2001 NRHS Convention held in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Pacific Railroad.

The Challenger rests after running up from Denver, before a trip out east the following morning with the "Missouri River Eagle" special. There were no large crowds this brisk September ... (more)

Following its rescue from display adjacent to the passenger depot in Cheyenne, UP 3985 was restored for service. In March of 1981 it made its first test run on the mainline - handling a short cons... (more)

One Last Look

As Rocky Mountain Railroad Club’s 1985 Denver-Laramie round trip clears the wye at Speer Junction, Wyoming, Challenger 3985 heads for the barn. The classic 4-6-6-4 ... (more)

Rocky Mountain railroad Club’s 1985 Denver-Laramie round trip approaches the end of the steam powered portion of the itinerary as Union Pacific Challenger 3985 approaches Speer Junction, Wyoming... (more)

A Union Pacific excursion train rolls by as Challenger 3985 executes a run-by at Lone Tree Fill, Wyoming. Patrons line the area along the tracks at one of about a dozen run-bys scheduled for this ... (more)

#3985 is leading the circus train into Denver.

#3985 is pulling away, quickly, from a servicing stop in Lodgepole. This would be the last mainline trip for it along with her boss, Steve Lee, who would call it a day as well.

From the files of "won't happen again", #3985 is seen pulling the Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus Blue Unit to Denver. Certainly now a once-in-a-lifetime event for me.

From the files of "won't happen again", #3985 is seen pulling the Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus Blue Unit to Denver. Certainly now a once-in-a-lifetime event for me.

#3985 is departing Cheyenne on the first day of the Missouri River Eagle trip....which turned out to be its last mainline outing. No messing around, they were doing every MPH they could muster.