Heavy Freight and Union Pacific 3985

SKU: DVD-WBV-040
(5 customer reviews)

Original price was: $29.95.Current price is: $24.95.

When a big shipper asks…a steam-hauled double stack container train!

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Producer

WB Video
Run Time

60 Minutes
Narration

Yes
Shrink Wrap

Yes, Brand New
Technical Details

NTSC, Region Free, View Worldwide on Computer

A special request from American President Lines for a steam-hauled APL double stack train led the Union Pacific to assign steamer 3985 to pull an eastbound heavy freight from Cheyenne to North Platte. Not since the 1950’s has a steam engine like this 4-6-6-4 Challenger pulled such a train .. 143 cars . . .7657 tons . . . 8900 feet long! WB Video presents complete coverage of this extraordinary event in this all-steam special video program.

The action begins a week earlier when the U.P. schedules 3985 on a test freight run to LaSalle, Colorado. Then, on the morning of August 1, 1990, 3985 thunders out of Cheyenne with the long APL Double stack train. Multiple on-the-scene broadcast camera crews capture all the action. Famed railroad illustrator Howard Fogg narrates this extraordinary event.

5 reviews for Heavy Freight and Union Pacific 3985

  1. rickyfreni –

    In the William Brown version of Union Pacific Challenger 3985’s test run as an oil burner in 1990, the once largest steam engine in the world from 1981 to 2010 before the restoration of Big Boy 4014 in 2019 as well as the Challenger’s one way donation move to Silvis Illinois in November of 2022 with 5511 & 6936, is making a test trip south to LaSalle before the first day of August’s big test: hauling a Doublestack freight to Bailey Yard in North Platte on the Sidney Sub.

    Locations include Cheyenne, Speer Junction on Sherman Hill, LaSalle, Greeley, Archer Hill, Egbert with a Wye track to La Grange & Yoder via the Albin Tunnel, the state line at Pine Bluffs, Point of Rocks east of Potter, Sidney with the Burlington Northern bridge to Sterling, Lodgepole, the Grain Elevators at Chappell, Big Springs, Ogalala at Milepost 333, Hershey with a Quartet of MPI SD45s, & Bailey Yard at North Platte, with the return trip the next day on a mixed train.

    Back in Cheyenne, E-Unit 951 takes the bay window caboose away while 3985 is being put away to rest.

    Also, there is some pacing in Western Nebraska while 3985 wore an Illinois Central whistle.

    Aside from WB Video with narration from Artist Howard Fogg who is also the narrator for UP’s Last Steam Giants, some other producers were also there: Mark 1 Video, Gandy Dancer, & even Pentrex.

  2. Jeremy C. Schultz –

    This film really shows what the Challenger is truly capable of… With ZERO diesel assistance in sight! 🙂

  3. Curtis Watson –

    This was truly a stand-out event in railroading, and it’s captured with excellent detail here. You’ll enjoy 3985 stampeding across Nebraska, showing us that she’s got just as much in her now as when she was built!

  4. Mwdonoughue –

    This program showcases the test runs made by 3985 on July 24th, the APL stack train on August 1st, and the freight train pulled for the return trip on August 2nd, 1990. Tons of great action, along with a cameo appearance by a quartet of MPI locomotives.

  5. NRH –

    Pulling 143 cars, you can see the true power of 3985, the sound from the smokestack is orgasms for the ear.

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