The Union Pacific's Challenger #3985 is currently the world's largest operating Steam Locomotive.  The Union Pacific is the only remaining Class One Railroad that still owns and operates two of it's original Steam Locomotives.  They operate both Northern #844 as well as Challenger #3985.  In addition to the Steam Locomotives, they also have an ABA Set of E9 Streamliners and a wonderfully restored and maintained fleet of their original passenger equipment.  The Challenger first came to Minnesota back in June, 2002.  Me, my wife, and my Mother-in-Law all road it down to Iowa and bused back.  Then it returned to Minnesota the last weekend of September, 2008.  Below are pictures from both times it visited here, plus my own Lionel O Gauge version of the #3985.  The Challenger is really a beautiful locomotive.  You can check on current information on the #3985 and the #844 at UP Steam.com and UP: Special Trains.  Click on the picture for the full size photo if you like.

LIONEL'S O-SCALE 3 RAIL CHALLENGER

 

 

 

JUNE 2002

 

Me with the 3985

 

Front shot

 

Getting ready to pull out

 

The consist description in the Concession Car

 

Photo runby

 

Kathy and her Mom

 

Kathy by the Auxiliary Water Tender

 

Getting ready to pull out

 

Photo runby

 

Photo runby

Business Car #104 "North Platte"

SEPTEMBER 26th - 30th, 2008

The Challenger pulled in Friday night, and stayed on display all day Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.  It pulled out on Tuesday the 30th.  In addition to the locomotive, there was two auxiliary fuel/water tenders, a boxcar, and seven passenger cars ending with an open end business car.  It was a great site seeing all those matching passenger cars on display.  Six of the seven cars were in the excursion train we took back in 2002 (above pictures).

FRIDAY

 

Backing in Friday Night

 

The two auxiliary tenders

 

Notice the fire in the oil burner under the cab

 

Parked for the night

 

Some old Soo Line units pull a freight alongside

Backing in Friday Night

 

The Challenger

 

Notice the fire in the oil burner under the cab

 

Parked for the night

 

The passenger consist

 

SATURDAY

 

You can walk up to the cab to look in

 

Auxiliary Water Tender #809 "Jim Adams"

 

Union Pacific Boxcar #9336

 

#6334 "Art Lockman" Tool Car - 1962 St. Louis Car (Originally Baggage Car)

 

#209 "Howard Fogg" Boiler/Dorm/Power Car - 1949 American Car & Foundry (Originally Baggage-Dorm #6006)

 

#5714 "Golden State Limited" Baggage Car - 19?? American Car & Foundry (Originally Baggage Car #????)

 

#5818 "Sherman Hill" Concessions Car - 1961 St. Louis Car (Originally Railway Post Office #5818)

 

#5480 "Sunshine Special" Coach - 1954 American Car & Foundry (Originally Coach #5480)

 

#7001 "Columbine" Dome-Coach - 1955 American Car & Foundry (Originally Dome Coach #7001)

 

#102 "St. Louis" Business/Observation Car

 

The Cab interior

 

Looking out the Engineer's window

 

Auxiliary Water Tenders

 

Auxiliary Water Tender #814 "Joe Jordan"

 

Union Pacific Boxcar #9336

 

#6334 "Art Lockman" Tool Car - 1962 St. Louis Car (Originally Baggage Car)

 

#209 "Howard Fogg" Boiler/Dorm/Power Car - 1949 American Car & Foundry (Originally Baggage-Dorm #6006)

 

#5714 "Golden State Limited" Baggage Car - 19?? American Car & Foundry (Originally Baggage Car #????)

 

#5818 "Sherman Hill" Concessions Car - 1961 St. Louis Car (Originally Railway Post Office #5818)

 

#5480 "Sunshine Special" Coach - 1954 American Car & Foundry (Originally Coach #5480)

 

#7001 "Columbine" Dome-Coach - 1955 American Car & Foundry (Originally Dome Coach #7001)

 

#102 "St. Louis" Business/Observation Car

 

The Cab interior

 

The loooooong boiler

 

Shot of the front set of drivers


SUNDAY

 

There were a few vintage cars there as well

 

Me and the #3985

 

A Twin City & Western Freight passes by
 

TUESDAY

 

Getting ready to head out

 

Pulling out along Sheppard Road

Along Sheppard Road

 

Pulling out along Sheppard Road