With Old Glory flying overhead, UP 3985, sits still while getting serviced, as railfans take photos and a father and son team get a closer look at the big Challenger, while a classic Coke, advert... (more)

Grease, dirt, sweat and a lot of love, is what it takes to keep big steam rolling along, as two of the UP's Steam Team work to "Shoot the rods", at its midway service stop, eastbound for Missouri ... (more)

The UP special arrives in Dolton at the end of the excursion run. Plenty of photographers on the ground to record the event.

This was an excursion from Dolton, Il. We chased this train through Indiana on the CSX. It was great to see a loco like this doing all the work without any diesels around.

Several hours late the 4-6-6-4 Union Pacific Challenger arrives in St. Paul for the weekend.

UP 3985, comes charging along US 30, into Maxwell, with it's equipment cars, heading for it's first servicing stop at Cozad. Throwing everyone off the big Challenger stopped just on the other side... (more)

The Challenger arriving back at it's home base after 22 day trip.

Arriving back at home base after a month long trip.

Following two eastbounds, UP 3985 departs Missouri Valley yard on her journey east to Boone.

UP 3985 makes a whistle stop at Potter NE. It was headed to North Platte NE for Railfest and then on to Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Headed to North Platte NE for Railfest then to the Twin Cities.

UP 3985 stretches her legs on the Boone Sub east of Ralston on a warm but windy fall day.

I followed the train for two full days. The weather couldn't have been more perfect. What a delight to see steam again on the former CNW track north of Le Mars, IA

UP 3985 meets sunset at Arlington on the Blair Sub. just a few miles away from Iowa.

Two ducks are unimpressed as UP 3985 skirts the edge of their pond just east of Grand Island. The Challenger was on its way to the Twin Cities for display, making up for a canceled appearance sche... (more)