Challenger 3985

[Anonymous]

Challenger went by today on the way from Cheyene to the Super Bowl where it will be on diplay till Feb. 8. Boy what a smokie old beauty! [8D]

[Anonymous]

Lucky you!

[Anonymous]

I myself will be watching for her in NE Arkansas She is supposed to leave St. Louis about the 19th this month.

[Anonymous]

Old No. 3985
World's largest operating steam locomotive.
122 feet long, with a "hinged" frame to allow it to negotiate curves.
Weighs more than 1 million pounds.
Six foot diameter drive wheels.
Top speed of 70 mph.
Built in 1943 for fast freight service.
retired in 1959.
Restored in 1981 by uprr employee volunteers.
Burned coal until converted to fuel oil in 1990.

Leaves Kansas City Thursday at 8 am.

Hope you get to see it! [8D]

[Trainnut484]

The Challenger left KC this morning on its way to St. Louis, MO. The Kansas City Star ran a story on it. Click on the link. You'll have to register, but its FREE.

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/7712651.htm

Take care,

Russell

[Anonymous]

Hi you all. I had a close up experience with 3985. it was on display at Union Stain in Kansas City from the afternoon of the 14th to 800 A>M> today the 15th when it left, I beleive for St.Louis but not sure. Its so sad thatit cant be operated in reg excursions anymore. I dont care how powerful they make the new generation of diesel/electrics , they will never beat the awesome power that 3985 can put out.

[Anonymous]

Stated to be 6000+ horsepower. Awsome!!

[Anonymous]

The latest info on the 3985 is not good. [:(]

Follow the link to see more


http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=11183

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have any current news on the movements of the UP 3985?
Does anyone know of a bulletin board or forum with frequent postings regarding the UP 3985?

The schedule at the UP site shows it on the original schedule, just 3 days late:
http://www.uprr.com/notes/corpcomm/2003/super_schedule.shtml

I plan to take a road trip to chase the beast through East Texas, but am very leary of missing it by 1-3 days!

Thank you for your help,

[Anonymous]

She arrived at Pine Bluff Arkansas approx 4:30 PM Central.

She will be departing 8 am the next day. I am happy I got to see her. It really is good for America to see steam alive and rolling. I dont care if it is a 0-40T or a 4-8-8-4 just watching excited children try to understand why they cannot reach the tops of the driving wheels is alot.

I do have one regret and it is a tiny camera taking video. It turned out well considering. But those who have proper cameras (and alot of people did) will enjoy this day for years to come.

[Anonymous]

got pic's of it Isnt the big boy the biggest loco built I understand the challenger Is the Biggest running whats the deal whats what[8D]

[Anonymous]

Just seen her pass thru troup Tx lookin good she got a bath in houston i see
but CHALLENGER always looks good[8D]

[Anonymous]

She is scheduled to come into N. Little Rock on Wedensday about 3 PM. It looks like she will be serviced at Hope AR (MM 30 off I-30) at the old depot at 11 AM.

She will be coming into the Rock past the "One Track Mind" hobby store and then crossing one of our Arkansas River Bridges for 1000 4th street behind the office building.

Ill let you all know how it goes tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

3985 blasted thru what we call Mabelvale Ar. (Really South Little Rock) She came thru approx 3:45 pm at 45 mph or so. I think the reason for her speed is twofold. There were 3 fast trains on the same rails two went by and a third was around somewhere. The second reason was maybe the oncoming sleet was putting pressure on the crew to get to safe haven before sunset.

She will probably leave Friday A.M.

[Anonymous]

She came through Little Rock Union Station at about 4:10. She mainly drifted through the station on her way to the bridge across to North Little Rock. It was beginning to sleet as she came thru the station a little over an hour late. We were led to understand that there were a 3 freights in front of her although only two of them came through before she did