UP 3985 waits in the early morning darkness of 10/9/2010 to head west in about eight hours

The Challenger tied down in St Louis, with the Gateway Arch in the background.

Union Pacific 3985 is just south of Dupo as it rolls through the rural farmland.

The steam crew is making final checks before an early morning departure from Cheyenne; the train will soon depart to meet the Circus train in Speer, WY.

UP 3985 pulls into rural Gorham to be serviced and turned before heading back to St. Louis. This locomotive was last in regular service in 1957. It is one of only two of the original 105 Union P... (more)

UP's Challenger races north for St. Louis as it crosses the Kaskaskia River.

Two sets of eyes are better than one on a Challenger steam locomotive, UP 3985, on the UP Chester Sub in Southern Illinois. Built in 1943 by the American Locomotive Company.

There's no mistaking where we are here! With the world famous St. Louis Arch in the background, UP 3985 slows to a stop west of downtown.

Union Pacific challenger #3985 heads west across the MacArthur Bridge approach.

Union Pacific #3985 pulls into Gorham Il, for a turn around and servicing..

UP 3985 leads the eastbound Missouri River Eagle.

The UP 3985 Challenger with the Circus Train on there way to Denver.

The UP 3985 Challenger sets in the yard ready to depart to meet the Circus Train for the run to Denver.

The Missouri River Eagle is departing North Platte, NE.

The 3985 gets some TLC at a service stop in Lodgepole, NE.