The Challenger headed for home from a trip to Houston

Even the largest operating steam locomotive in the world is dwarfed by the grain silos that dot the prairie. Lucky for us, a stack train in the background just cleared out before 3985 appeared.

A perfect reason to drive halfway across the country from Jersey; sights like the 3985 leaving Trenton early in the morning.

Thanks to a meet with a southbound grain train, we had plenty of time to set up for this shot off of the CR D bridge.

After a servicing stop in Des Moines, 3985 gets back up to speed quickly as it entertains the people in the small town of Elkhart.

The last shot of our 3985 chase is typical Midwest: flat land, grain silos, and fast trains.

The caravan grew as we proceeded north into Iowa. 3985 passed a northbound train here, which can barely been seen in the distance.

Just a few miles north of Trenton, 3985 quickly gets up to track speed on the single track Spine Line.

The latest in diesel superpower passes one of the surviving examples of steam superpower. A crewmember is hanging off the walkway taking a picture as his train rolls past the 3985.

UP 3985 spends the night under the road bridge in Trenton.

UP crew members acknowledge each other as UP 8553 sits on the siding waiting for the 3985 to pass.

My favorite photo of the chase from Trenton to Boone. Note the end of an intermodal train on the far right side of photo.