Union Pacific Steam 1981, with special bonus: 30 minute 3985 cab ride
SKU: DVD-PNX-VR009Original price was: $29.95.$24.95Current price is: $24.95.
As of February 2020, Union Pacific has officially retired Challenger 3985, saying she now has a worthy successor in Big Boy 4014. Fight back! Watch 3985 from her maiden mainline trip in 1981 from Cheyenne to Sacramento and her trip to Chicago in 1993.
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| Producer | Pentrex |
|---|---|
| Run Time | 1 hour 25 minutes |
| Narration | Yes |
| Shrink Wrap | Yes, Brand New |
| Technical Details | No Region Code, NTSC |
As of February 2020, Union Pacific has officially retired Challenger 3985, saying she now has a worthy successor in Big Boy 4014. While that is true, many who loved seeing and hearing the 4-6-6-4 will miss her display of power. So, let’s go back in time and see 3985 in her first long distance trip after restoration – to Railfair 1981 in Sacramento – and a 30 minute cab ride from her trip to the 1993 NRHS Convention in Chicago. Newly digitized, enhanced and color corrected by Pentrex. Enjoy!
Curtis Watson –
A one-of-a-kind railroad journey never to be repeated: UP #8444 and a coal-burning #3985 double-head over Donner Pass with Southern Pacific diesels in helper positions. While both engines would return for the Sacramento Railfair twice more in the future, once on the WP line and once more on Donner (but under UP ownership), this was an incredibly special trip at the time. And here it is, presented masterfully by Pentrex. You’ll want to add this one to your collection for sure!
jeremyschultz7 –
If you are a huge fan of the original “Dynamic Duo”, 4-8-4 Northern #844 and 4-6-6-4 Challenger #3985, then this DVD is for you! Union Pacific perfected it’s steam program with the addition of the freshly restored 3985, and the doubleheader action with these two fine locomotives working together is second to none! Over the years, #3985 would give us a “preview” to what 4-8-8-4 Big Boy #4014 would look like in excursion service. None of us who lived through the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s would have EVER imagined that a Big Boy would be returned to service in the year 2019 to take over for “Ol’ Reliable” #3985… She and “Ol’ Faithful” #844 proved time and time again that for ANY decent mainline steam excursion program, all you need is a 4-8-4 and an articulated at your disposal… Very much like how Norfolk Southern operated N&W Class “J” #611 and Class “A” #1218 at the same time in THEIR Steam Program many years ago. Those two are the Dynamic Duo of Norfolk and Western steam, for sure…
The Challenger will be missed, but I’m sure we could all argue that Big Boy #4014 is a VERY worthy replacement as a new partner for #844. They are the NEW Dynamic Duo of the Union Pacific Steam Program. All that being said, this production is nevertheless a beautiful trip down memory lane. If you listen closely to #844’s Hancock 3-Chime she wore in 1981, it sounds eerily close to that of #4014 today. Seems to have been a subtle sign of things to come… 🙂
rickyfreni –
From Humble Beginnings, this very first video rails program features morning Preparations in Cheyenne, Helicopter scenes from the sky, Vintage Films and Still images, and also an introductive narration from Charles Edward Hunter, the rest of the program is narrated by Donald Harris. The bonus cab ride aboard 3985 is from the 1993 NRHS Convention.