UP 3985 has a Semi Truck in its sights at a crossing

Union Pacific Railroad's "Challenger" No. 3985, the world's largest operating steam locomotive, will be on a six-state, 2,200-mile tour from Cheyenne, Wyo., to Gorham, Ill., to celebrate railroad heritage. No. 3985 is on the Missouri River Eagle tour to help Sedalia, Mo., celebrate the community's Sesquicentennial on Sunday, October 10. "Sedalia has such a rich railroad heritage that it is only fitting that the world's largest operating steam locomotive help in celebrating their sesquicentennial," said Ben Jones, Union Pacific's director of public affairs for Missouri and Kansas.
During this tour, the 67-year-old locomotive will be on display in:
Kansas City, Mo., Oct. 3 and Oct. 11;
Jefferson City, Mo., Oct. 5; and
St. Louis, Mo., Oct. 8; and
The Challenger will make overnight stops in:
Denver, Colo., Sept. 28;
Cheyenne, Wyo., Sept. 29;
North Platte, Neb., Sept. 30 and Oct. 13;
Marysville, Kan., Oct. 1 and Oct 12;
St. Louis, Mo., Oct.6 and Oct. 7; and
Sedalia, Mo., Oct. 9.
Union Pacific's No. 3985, an articulated locomotive with a "hinged" frame to allow it to negotiate curves, is 122 feet long. It weighs more than one million pounds, has six-foot diameter drive wheels and can reach a top speed of 70 miles per hour. No. 3985 was built in 1943 for fast freight service and was retired in 1959. In 1981, it was restored to running condition by UP employee volunteers for special service. This is the first trip for the locomotive after undergoing maintenance work during the last two years. The Challenger is based in Cheyenne, Wyo.
A Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) transmitter was installed on one of the rail cars that will travel with No. 3985. The GPS system has been integrated with a map on UP's website. Enter the word "Steam" in the search box on the homepage for a shortcut to the map.
Website visitors will be able to access route maps with varying amounts of detail. The GPS system will update the map every five minutes showing No. 3985's location. GPS updates are also available at http://twitter.com/UP_Steam.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Steam
• train
• trains
• union
• pacific
• 3985
• challenger
• 4664
• UP
• Heritage
• fleet
• Missouri
• river
• eagle

[penguingeneral2]

That trucker messed up a lot of peoples shots!

[zaphodb777]

Thanks for the video Skip. Very educational. It's not often one gets to see the reversing mechanism in operation.

What I have always wondered is, is there a way to advance the steam valve to open earlier for more efficiency at high road speeds?

[lamoboy]

are these engines really fast or are they only for power (pulling heavy loads) ?

[atm91771]

This trucker's opinion is that THAT trucker is an idiot. If the signals are operating any the headlight is in sight, you STOP.

Another beautiful video, Skip.

[racerboy23432]

@thediremoose true now i think of it

[thediremoose]

@racerboy23432 I'm sure 3985 would be fine; the truck on the other hand...

[TonoFonseca]

I'd like to see you get a tie shot of this or another steam engine, at about that speed...

[operazanotaijin]

Truckers never learn.

[markieman3000]

That is one big hunk of metal

[rayman4449]

With the scene being surrounded by steam fans, can you imagine the reaction towards the truck driver if that happened? >: O