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)
Which is rarer? Union Pacific 4-6-6-4 3985, the world's only operating Challenger and one of two remaining, seems like the easy answer. However, a closer look reveals that the switcher is P... (more)
The biggest pan. After adding my littlest panned engine here, I decided to add my largest panned engine. UP 3985 is ... (more)
The UP steam crew continues to go about their business into the night preparing the 3985 for the next day's run from Mo. Valley to Boone, IA. Special thanks to Kent from SD for the lighting.
UP puts on a nice show in downtown St. Paul departing after being on display over the weekend.
The big Challenger was enroute to the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles.
UP #3985 finally arrives home after a long 22 day trip. Historic Steam Shop in background to the left.
Close call. While the westbound empty coal train was slowly crawling by, smoke could be seen over the top. Luckily, AC4400CW 6709, the DPU of the coal train, cleared the crossing as 3985 bu... (more)
UP #3985 arrives back at it's home and shows the wear and tear from a 22 day trip.
