UP 3985 makes good time up the Spine Line seen here in a zoom-out-pan just north of Castle Rock on her way to South St. Paul.

Challenger at sunset. UP 3985 departs Fremont bound for Missouri Valley, IA after a short stop. A special thanks goes out to those who made the decision to send the train further ea... (more)

UP 3985 races towards St. Paul through the small town of Ellendale in southern Minnesota.

We hear the exhaust, two blasts close together from the four cylinders. Now we know why we took the day off and stood in the heat for a long time. It was a sight that none of us had ever seen befo... (more)

After having bell problems which caused a 45-minute delay, UP 3985 begins to back into the main part of the yard to begin her journey east/north to Mason City, IA.

The wide angle lens makes the boiler seem to stretch as UP 3985 heads for its next stop in Mankato en route from St. Paul to St. James, Minn. on the old Omaha Road.

UP 3985 shows why steam engines are attractive as it smokes it up approaching the I-494 overpass in Eagan heading out of St. Paul for St. James, Minn. on the old Omaha Road.

Another angle at Bridge 15 as UP 3985 heads out of St. Paul for St. James, Minn. on the old Omaha Road.

After a late start, UP 3985 is finally underway, sneaking up on a few of us at this particular location.

UP Challenger 3985 crosses the Mississippi River after leaving St Paul headed back to Wyoming on the UP's ex-C&NW Omaha Line.

3985 shows off her new paint job as she crosses the Mississippi River leaving St Paul headed west on the UP's ex-C&NW Omaha Line. The historic former Schmidt Brewery is atop the hill in the backg... (more)

UP 3985 made a brief stop at Ames and is now steaming at track speed with the Twin Cities Limited Tour just west of Nevada heading for E. KC Jct and north on the "Spine Line" to Mason City... (more)

After being told there was no room for them to stay overnight in Fremont, NE, the special was forced to travel from North Platte, NE to Missouri Valley, IA. With track work throughout eastern Nebr... (more)