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)

A typical prairie scene, except for the large steam locomotive blasting through. UP Challenger 3985 leads a short train eastward, while coal empties head west back to the mines. The track at left ... (more)

Diamonds are a girl's best friend. When it was built, Mills Tower guarded the crossing of the Rock Island and the Illinois Central. Long since closed, the tower now stands watch as the Unio... (more)

Diamonds are a girl's best friend. The brick tower that stands at CP U252 guarding the former crossing of the Milwaukee Road and the Rock Island is shaken by the passing of UP Challenger 39... (more)

UP 3985 is silhouetted by the bright morning sun to the southeast as she hustles north on the Albert Lea Sub north of Manly.

Two fans grab a shot of Challenger 3985 from the shoulder of Route 30 as it heads east across the Nebraska plains. A fast-approaching westbound manifest, led by UP 4005, can be seen in the distanc... (more)