Union Pacific Steamer no. 3985: The 4-6-6-4 Challenger, Articulated Steam Locomotive, 1992

Union Pacific Steamer no. 3985: The 4-6-6-4 Challenger, 1992! Union Pacific articulated steam locomotive, number 3985, was built in July 1943 as a 4-6-6-4 Challenger-class behemoth for hauling fast freight long distances. The railroad owned only one class of steam locomotive larger than the Challenger, the 4-8-8-4 Big Boy. Number 3985 was retired by the Union Pacific in 1962. Nevertheless, it was restored to operating condition for excursion service in 1981, as part of the railroad's public relations effort. In August 1992, UP 3985 pulled the "Pacific Limited," east from San Jose, California, to its home in Cheyenne, Wyoming. On August 2nd, the steam engine and its matching train of vintage Union Pacific streamliner passenger cars left Salt Lake City, Utah, on home rails. This was an era when historic locomotives were not required to carry along "protection power," a modern diesel locomotive behind the steamer. The Challenger used its own tractive effort to hustle its sizable excursion train across the western landscape that made the Overland Route famous. Check out our railfan community website: https://actiontrainvideos.com Click to watch: "Union Pacific Freight Action & Steamer 844 2007!;"    • Union Pacific Freight Action & Steamer 844...   Click to watch: "DRGW GP30 3006 on Colorado Joint Line & Other SP Trains 1994 (GP40-2, GP60, SD45, SD40T-2, SD45T-2);"    • DRGW GP30 3006 on Colorado Joint Line & Ot...   Click to watch: "Ringling Circus Train, 1 Day Chase 2007;"    • Ringling Circus Train, 1 Day Chase 2007   Click to watch: "Amtrak & BNSF Freight on Raton Sub in 2020!;"    • Amtrak & BNSF Freight on Raton Sub in 2020!   Click to watch: "BNSF Texas Lines in Action 2007;"    • BNSF Texas Lines in Action 2007   Click to watch: "Cumbres & Toltec Narrow Gauge Steam 1994;"    • Cumbres & Toltec Narrow Gauge Steam 1994, ...   Click to watch: "Santa Fe Railway the Final Era 1992-1996;"    • Santa Fe Railway the Final Era 1992-1996   Click to watch: "Burlington Northern SD60M no. 1991 'Supporting our Troops' & Other BN Trains;"    • Burlington Northern SD60M no. 1991 "Suppor...   Click to watch: "Fast Union Pacific Action on the Overland Route;"    • Fast Union Pacific Action on the Overland ...   Click to watch: "Chicago & North Western 1992-1993;"    • Chicago & North Western Steam & Diesel Tra...   Click to watch: "More Illinois Central Action 1993!;"    • Great Illinois Central Action 1993, Mainli...   Click to watch: "Rio Grande Lines in Espee Era 1993-1994;"    • Rio Grande Lines in Espee Era 1993-1994, S...   Click to watch: "High Capacity Load & Double Coal Train;"    • High Capacity Load & Double Coal Train Jul...   Click to watch: "American Orient Express & Wyo. Amtrak Detour 2005;"    • American Orient Express & Wyo. Amtrak Deto...   Click to watch: "Classic Union Pacific of the West 1993-1995;"    • Classic Union Pacific of the West 1993-199...   Click to watch: "Rio Grande Moffat Tunnel Route During the Southern Pacific Era 1994;"    • Rio Grande Moffat Tunnel Route During the ...   Click to watch: "N&W J-Class 611 Streamlined Steam Locomotive in Action 1994;"    • N&W J-Class 611 Streamlined Steam Locomoti...   Click to watch: "Southern Pacific Daylight 4449, 1992;"    • Southern Pacific Daylight 4449, 1992   Click to watch: "BN GP39M & Caboose in 1994!;"    • BN GP39M & Caboose in 1994!   Click to watch: "Trains & Trolleys of the 20th Century;"    • Trains & Trolleys of the 20th Century   Click to watch: "Scenic Rail Lines of Canada 1991;"    • Scenic Rail Lines of Canada 1991   Subscribe for more shows about trains: https://youtube.com/c/WaltLoevyAction...