Union Pacific Steam

Classic Steam Excursions

The world's largest operating steam locomotive, Union Pacific 3985, a 4-6-6-4 Challenger, is featured on two passenger specials. The trips between Denver, Colorado and Laramie, Wyoming were sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club in the 80's. You are on board, trackside and in the cab of Challenger 3985. Then Union Pacific 8444, a 4-8-4, puts on a spectacular show hauling a freight east of Cheyenne.

Narrow gauge action features an excursion on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club. Authentically lettered D&RGW freight cars and a caboose were added to the special train. An excursion on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad with carefully planned photo run-bys was also sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club.

In the mountains west of Denver, the Georgetown Loop Railroad operates a passenger special over the magnificent High Bridge connecting Georgetown with Silver Plume. At the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden a special steam-up features D&RGW 2-8-0 #346 running over Museum trackage

60 minutes

Union Pacific Super Cabs and Steam

The revolutionary EMD SD60M and the GE Dash 8-40CW wide cabs were the new look in 1990 when this exciting Union Pacific program was produced. This was also a time when the Union Pacific’s ambitious steam program had given rise to frequent steam powered freight and passenger trains pulled by 4-8-4 #844 and 4-6-6-4 Challenger 3985. Broadcast quality video footage by Dave Gross with narration by Rege Cordic.

Featured:

• EMD SD60M - Union Pacific mainline east & west of Cheyenne, Wyoming.
• GE Dash 8-40CW - Action along Union Pacific mainline.
• 4-8-4 #844 - St. Louis NRHS Convention freight. Kansas Pacific freight. Idaho Centennial passenger.
• 4-6-6-4 #3985 - Cheyenne to LaSalle freight. APL Double Stack freight. River City Roundup Freight.

88 minutes

Heavy Freight and Union Pacific 3985

On the morning of August 1, 1990 Union Pacific 4-6-6-4 Challenger 3985 slowly pulls out of the Cheyenne, Wyoming yard with the heaviest steam powered freight train since the 50’s. Its destination is North Platte, Nebraska. On the draw bar are 143 cars, 7657 tons and this colossal freight is 8900 feet long. This spectacular run is the result of a special request from the AMERICAN PRESIDENT LINES for a steam-hauled APL Doublestack train. A week earlier the Union Pacific schedules 3985 on a test freight run to LaSalle, Colorado.

Both of these exraordinary steam events are captured by multiple on-the-scene camera crews. It is only fitting that the late, great famed railroad illustrator Howard Fogg should narrate these unique events. This program will become a favorite in your railfan video library.

60 minutes

Challenger 82

This fascinating story of Union Pacific 4-6-6-4 "Challenger" 3985 begins in 1975 as rare film footage shows this proud giant as it is removed from the Cheyenne, Wyoming roundhouse for display at the depot. Then in 1979 you’ll see this grand 4-6-6-4 returned to the shops for restoration. On March 18, 1981 you are there as 3985 is tested under its own steam in the Cheyenne yards. The first road test comes a week later on a freight run to LaSalle, Colorado.

One of the most significant railroad events of the decade occurs On April 23, 1981. Challenger 3985 is doubleheaded with Union Pacific 4-8-4 #8444 on a special train to the grand opening of the California Railroad Museum. Covered are the Cheyenne to Ogden, Utah portion of the trip and the Green River, Wyoming to Cheyenne portion of the return trip.

Challenger 3985’s second season in 1982 begins with an excursion between Cheyenne and Pocatello, Idaho. Then follow the excursion between Salt Lake City and Provo, Utah. As this splendid train heads back to Cheyenne we pace 3985 through scenic Weber Canyon.

55 minutes

Steam Over Sherman

Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 Big Boys were the largest steam locomotives ever built and you’ll see them in regular service as they pound westward out of Cheyenne, Wyoming bound for Sherman Hill!

The 4-6-6-4 Challenger 3959 puts on a grand show as we pace this sister engine of Union Pacific’s present day excursion engine 3985. At trackside, watch her drivers slip as the giant steam engine slowly moves by. The huge 3-cylinder 4-12-2 9000’s are there along with the 4-8-4 800’s...sister engines of another famous excursion steamer of today, #844.

First generation E8’s put in an appearance as they lead the Union Pacific’s "City of Los Angeles", City of San Francisco" and the "Overland Limited" over Sherman Hill...sometimes with steam helpers! We see the unusual Veranda Turbine and then we are treated to a tour of the Cheyenne yard in 1954 with steam galore.

This 50’s classic was filmed in 16 mm color from July 1951 to September 1956 and is narrated by the cinematographer himself, Irv August.

54 minutes

Union Pacifics Last Steam Giants

It’s the summer of 1958. At Cheyenne, Wyoming, Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 Big Boys are being readied for their last months of service. Railfan and photographer Dave Gross is there to save these wonderful moments on 16mm color film as those mighty mammoths of the steam age are prepared for the battle up Sherman Hill. You’ll see the proud passenger hauling 4-8-4 800’s as they finish their last days in freight service on the Nebraska mainline. The 4-6-6-4 Challenger 3700’s storm up Archer Hill east of Cheyenne and across the high wind swept plains. Track side footage captures excursions pulled by magnificent Union Pacific #8444.

The late, famed railroad artist Howard Fogg narrates this all steam program.

24 minutes