Challenger 3985, Union Pacific’s 4-6-6-4

SKU: DVD-RWP-3985
(7 customer reviews)

$24.95

Revisit Union Pacific steam locomotive #3985 – when she was the largest operating steam locomotive in the world. Run with “The Challenger” across 7 states!

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Producer

Railway Productions

Narration

Yes

Run Time

60 Minutes

Technical Details

No Region Code

At one time Union Pacific’s steam locomotive #3985 was the largest operating steam locomotive in the world. It is now retired, and that mantle has now been taken by former stable mate, Big Boy 4014.

But Challenger 3985, a huge 4-6-6-4 locomotive, built in 1943, ran for years as part of the railroad’s public relations program. In this show we’ll follow 3985, the “Challenger”, on the mainline in Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma & Texas as she shows the public what big steam was really like “back in the day”. Visit the Cheyenne Steam Shop to see where 3985 – and now 4014 – is maintained and see some of the historic equipment still in the Union Pacific roundhouse.

Also on this DVD: Follow the engine on its ferry move across Nebraska, enjoy her pulling an excursion from Council Bluffs to Sioux City, Iowa, see the 3985’s NRHS convention trip from St. Louis to Gorham, IL, plus action between McAlester, Oklahoma and Houston, Texas! If you like big steam, you can’t get bigger that this! This is a must for every steam fan’s collection! Chapter Menu provides instant access to program segments.

7 reviews for Challenger 3985, Union Pacific’s 4-6-6-4

  1. Ron Harber III

    Once part of the Union Pacific’s Steam team, Challenger 3985 travels from Wyoming to the Midwest region such as Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma and Texas. This was the first Railway Production video I watched. While the Big Boy 4014 and Living Legend 844 are today’s Union Pacific Steam team, Challenger 3985 is getting another chance at the former Rock Island facility in Silvis, Illinois for a multi restoration. Watching WWII engines like the 3985 on the mainline is very rare these days.

  2. Lloyd

    It is great to see these huge steam engines running, even if only in excursion runs. Union Pacific has done a fine job at keeping history alive and this is no exception. To bad this engine has been sidelined for #4014, so we have the memory of it here. Excellent show

  3. jeremyschultz7

    Les Jarrett and Railway Productions never cease to provide “variety” when covering a specific steam locomotive. Ed Dickens of the Union Pacific Steam Program recently announced that because Big Boy #4014 is operational, they will not be putting any more work into the 3985. I always pop in this DVD if I ever feel like reminiscing about the Challenger, and how she once was the largest and most powerful operational steamer in the world. With the arrival of 4014 to the modern, 21st Century steam scene, that has all changed… For the BETTER, I must say. 🙂

  4. collinvarney24

    Very nice video showing UP 3985 on excursions in the midwestern

  5. Mwdonoughue

    This program showcases some of the trips 3985 made during 2001, including a trip during the NRHS Convention in St. Louis, MO.

  6. Zac

    Great video about 3985. Hopefully she will be brought back soon.

  7. Kevin Willie

    Great Video

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