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