An employee special rounds the curve at Watseka on its way to Dolton.

Challenger #3985 pulls an NRHS Convention special southbound on the former C&EI.

Union Pacific 3985 begins a photo run-by at Point of the Mountains, Utah. 3985 was still burning coal, and on this trip, set many brush fires between Salt Lake City and Provo. After this trip and ... (more)

Union Pacific's 4-6-6-4 Challenger #3985 was assigned to run an excursion from Salt Lake City to Provo and return on June 27, 1982. The coal burning steamer was built by the American Locomotive Co... (more)

Union Pacific's 4-6-6-4 Challenger #3985 was assigned to run an excursion from Salt Lake City to Provo and return on June 27, 1982. The coal burning steamer was built by the American Locomotive Co... (more)

Challenger with elephant ears
Union Pacific 4-6-6-4 Challenger No. 3985 loads returning passengers on the annual Cheyenne Frontier Days train at Cheyenne, Wyoming, on the afternoon of J... (more)

In an abortive attempt to turn the engine on the wye at Kingsport, UP 3985--disguised as "Clinchfield 676" for the 50th running of the Santa train--eases back. Alas, the big centipede tender of th... (more)

The 50th running of the famed Clinchfield Santa train gallops along the McClure River behind UP 3985, temporarily disguised as "Clinchfield 676." The CRR operated some identical engines in the lat... (more)

Union Pacific 4-6-6-4 Challenger No. 3985 thunders westbound on the approach to the top of Archer Hill, Wyoming, on October 9, 2008. Fireman Ed Dickens can be seen in the cab; Ed is now Manager He... (more)

Union Pacific’s Steve Lee carefully watches Challenger No. 3985 slowly backing into UP’s Steam Shop at Cheyenne, Wyoming, on October 9, 2008. The articulation of the 4-6-6-4 is quite obvious on th... (more)

Union Pacific 3985 leaving Southern Califfornia through Cajon Pass.

UP 3985 arrived early into Kansas City Union Station tonight on UP Train SSDKC 10, which was today's segment of the "Missouri River Eagle". I asked Steve Lee to keep the dynamo going and the head... (more)

Headed west on the UP Sedalia Sub. is the "Missouri River Eagle" bound for the Sedalia, Missouri Sesquicentennial later today as UP Train SSLSD 09. This might be my favorite picture of the trip.

UP 3985 heads south on UP's Chester Sub with a special to Gorham,IL, seen here passing the control point at Jacob,IL 10/7/10