TEXAS: Landmarks and Legacies

UP No. 3985 "Challenger"

by Bob Cozby
Photos by Tony Stamper


The Union Pacific Railroad's, Challenger Steam Locomotive No. 3985 is the largest steam locomotive in regular service in the world. Steam locomotives are measured in both weight (this one is over One Million pounds), and the number of Drive Wheels (the larger wheels). The Challenger's 4-6-6-4 has 12 drive wheels, and in history, is second only to the Union Pacific's "Big Boy, 4-8-8-4" which is no longer in service.

When I first saw the Challenger, I had been waiting at a quiet tree lined railroad crossing in Waco, Texas. I had heard from the crew of another train stopped up the line, that the Challenger was waiting at Harrison switch, four trains back. I had my large Mamiya RB-67 with 360mm lens, and several pocket cameras,andwas ready to take the picture of a lifetime.

One by one the trains rumbled passed - one, an auto carrier bound for Dallas, another, an empty coal train headed back up to Oregon. Finally and faintly in the distance, I heard the unforgettable wail of No. 3985. It would be another ten minutes before she rounded the curve into my view, but the picture was to be perfect, and I was ready. I told my friend Barbara, to watch for the shadows on the distant trees. That would give her about 5 seconds to get camera ready to shoot. Another wail and now, in the distance, the sounds of steel against steel. Then the blast of her haunting whistle (long, long, short, long), and I knew that No.3985 was about to cross Orchard lane, only a mile away. She was getting close.

Finally, the shadows on the distant trees and the the grey round frontpiece of the Challenger rounded the final curve into view. And there it was, the world's largest steam locomotive, followed by a black tender, and two other tenders painted brilliant Union Pacific yellow. Then came a supply car, and maintance car, and half a dozen coaches including the a dome car, every streamlined car painted the brilliant Union Pacific yellow. The gloow of yellow against the dark shadows of the woods, promised to be one of the best photos I'd ever taken.

But, just as it had done once before, the most expensive camera I could have ever afforded, jammed. I suppose the more buttons and bells a contraption has, the more things that can go wrong. But here before me was the world's largest steam locomotive, with what seemed like thousands of moving parts, all moving to a single chorus before my eyes. How can they possibly keep all those parts moving with such perfect harmony?

When the train slowed and finally backed into the siding to refill it's water tender, I was right there to make another attempt with my "big" camera. I may have gotten off a shot or two, I will know in a few days. But I thank Canon and Eastman Kodak for little pocket cameras with only three moving parts.

Awaiting the arrival of the Challenger were dozen railroad buffs, curiosity seekers, and a host of firemen and Union Pacific workers. I had talked to many of them earlier and learned that the Challenger was headed home to Cheyenne, Wyoming to end it's fall tour. There on the siding, the Bellmead Fire Department was waiting with pumpers to fill the tender. This should take about an hour. Everone there was awestruck, as this massive iron machine backed into the siding. Cameras were everywhere. And not just here at the siding either. Every crossing for the next few miles was lined with cars and spectators, each trying to get a look at the world's largest steam locomotive.

Soon the few passengers themselves joined the crowd. Some had helped with the unloading of bad fuel back in Houston, and were given a free ride up to Dallas. I'm sure it didn't take them long to accept. Ann Stamper, one of these passengers, must have seen my big camera. She came up to my friend and myself wondering if there was a place to eat nearby (there wasn't). The train only had soft drinks on this run, no food. We offered to take them to the chicken place down the road, but natually, they elected to stay with the train. So the two of us left in my jeep to get food for the hungry crew and passengers (15 boxes).

When we returned, we were very greatfully received, and were given a tour of the train. Barbara had never been on a train, and now she got to look out from the top of a dome car. We made some good friends that day.

The day was drawing to a close, and the water was loading slow (the fire hydrant only had a three inch main attached to it). It looked like it might be another hour before the train would pull out. That would give us time to go get her mother and still get back. But as we were returning down the road to the siding, there was a line of cars and a firetruck leaving. We knew we had missed the train.

Thinking fast, we decided to get on Interstate 35 headed north, and catch the train as it passed through a train station about 15 miles north of here (West, Tx). The station was recently restored and was the centerpiece for downtown West. Doing 70 on the freeway we were only able to keep up with the train which by now was filling the sky with its think black smoke. This train was on a mission to make up lost time. But if we hurried we could still make the station.

With my (hopefully) future mother-in-law in near panic, we let out all the stops and tried to reach West before the train. But, the Challenger was accelerating too. Doing 80, we were able to just creep ahead of it. It was clear though that we would not get through West and to the station, before the train. Barbara knew of a crossing near the freeway with plenty of clearing to see the train. We sped up even more, (her mother's was ready to parachute to safety). Finally we got to Tours Road, and the exit.

We pulled up to the crossing, and quickly got out of the jeep (no easy task), grabbed our cameras, turned, just as it arrived. Oh, what a site at dusk. In a moment it was thundering past us, and in the dome were our new friends waving back to us.

The last we saw of the train was the blinking red light on the back of the dome car as it disappeared in the distance.

If you have never ridden on a steam train, if you have never seen this massive locomotive, don't miss your change to experience a true piece of American history. And if you ever do get the chance to ride the Challenger (it isn't cheap), you'll experience something unforgettable.

Here is a list of sites with more about the Union Pacific 4-6-6-4 "Challenger" No. 3985:

This Page Created October 30, 2001 by Bob Cozby