Union Pacific 3985 Challenger

SKU: DVD-SRP-3985
(2 customer reviews)

$31.49

Get on board 4-6-6-4 Challenger 3985. (Ships to USA & Canada only.)

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Producer

Sunday River Productions

Narration

Yes

Run Time

48 minutes

Technical Details

Region Code 1, USA and Canada

Ride Union Pacific 3985, the only Challenger still remaining in operation and one of the largest steam locomotives operating today. Hear highlights from the history of the 4-6-6-4 Challenger engines built by ALCO between 1936 and 1943. See early 3985 excursions after reconstruction in 1981. Fly above 3985 double-heading with 8444 over Sherman Hill In one of our longest double-heading sequences. The pair of engines triumphantly takes on Donner Pass deep in snow. Watch 3985’s first solo expedition across Wyoming and through the Bear River Range to Pocatello. The first fan trip runs down the city streets of Salt Lake, then south to Provo.

Experience breathtaking pacing against the Wasatch Range all white with winter. Bonus footage at the end shows 4-6-6-4s, a few 4-8-4s, and early diesels in the 1940s on the high Plains of Nebraska when Challengers did real work on the Union Pacific.

2 reviews for Union Pacific 3985 Challenger

  1. rickyfreni

    In the Sunday River version of the Challenger’s early years of operating in excursion service until it was retired in 2010 & overtaken by Big Boy 4014 in late April & Early May of 2019, the once largest active steam engine in the modern era is operating on a doubleheader from Cheyenne (Until it was moved to Silvis Illinois with 5511 & 6936 in November of 2022) to old Sacramento with locations from Sherman Hill to Donner Pass that has diesel helpers in 1981 with 844 as 8444 from 1962-1989, as well as the test run with freight prior to the grand opening of the California State Railroad Museum for a meet with SP daylight 4449. Along the way, there are extreme close up pacing scenes.

    Next, 3985 made its first solo trips from Cheyenne to Salt Lake City, Ogden Utah, & Pocatello Idaho via the Oregon Short Line & return home in June & July of 1982 to commemorate the 100th birthday of Pocatello itself, complete with a hot air balloon on display, not to mention the first Solo excursion from Salt Lake City to Provo, as well as a cab ride.

    Finally, we end the program with vintage films in Nebraska that was shot by Mr. Guy Brant in 1951, like 0-6-0 4437 switching cars, the 800 series northerns, & of course the challengers with a 3800 series one having its firebox on fire, as well as some diesels.

    There are also some musical segments like the William Telle Overture for example, as well as some from the helicopter.

    Besides Sunday River, other producers were also on the 8444/3985 doubleheader in 1981: Video Rails, Hopewell, William Brown Productions, the Dave Goodheart Collection, & a couple more that have since been out of business.

    For the 1982 solo trips: there is Video Rails, William Brown Productions, the Dave Goodheart Collection, & even a couple others that have since been out of business as well.

    Keep in mind that these scenes were recorded way before 3985 was converted to oil in 1990.

  2. Jeremy C. Schultz

    Another great job as always by Sunday River! The footage of UP’s Dynamic Duo DOUBLEHEADING is nothing short of spectacular. 🙂

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