The Heritage Fleet

The History of the Challengers

Challenger No. 3985

Union Pacific Challenger No. 3985 was designed by Union Pacific and built in 1943 by the American Locomotive Company. It is one of 105 Challengers built for Union Pacific between 1936 and 1943 and is the only operating engine of its class in the world today – the largest and most powerful operating steam locomotive.

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No. 3985 last operated in regular train service in 1957. It was retired in 1962 and stored in the roundhouse in Cheyenne, Wyoming, until 1975 when it was placed on display near the Cheyenne depot. A group of Union Pacific employees volunteered their services to restore the locomotive to running condition in 1981.

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The name Challenger was given to steam locomotives with a 4-6-6-4 wheel arrangement. This means that they have four wheels in the leading pilot truck, which helps guide the locomotive into curves; two sets of six driving wheels, and finally, four trailing wheels, which support the rear of the engine and its massive firebox. Each set of driving wheels has its own steam cylinder. In essence, the result is two engines under one boiler.

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The frame of the locomotive is articulated, or hinged, to allow it to go through curves. When watching the approaching locomotive go through a curve, you can see the boiler swing out left or right independently of the lower half of the engine, as the rear half of the locomotive remains in a straight direction until its wheels and frame are halfway through the curve.

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The Challengers were designed for fast freight service, but occasionally pulled passenger trains. No. 3985 originally burned coal and pulled a tender with a 32-ton capacity. In 1990, it was converted to use No. 5 oil. The top speed of No. 3985 is about 70 miles an hour.

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Prior to the Missouri River Eagle/Sedalia Sesquicentennial Special in 2010, No. 3985 had been shop-bound for routine maintenance since 2008. These videos show her first test runs after that down-time.

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Train Statistics

Boiler:   

Inside Diameter: 94-11/16in.
Pressure:     280 lbs.

Cylinder:     Diameter: 21 in.
Stroke:     32 in.

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Driving Wheel Diameter:   69 in.

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Evaporating Surfaces (Sq. Ft.):   Tubes: 527
Flues:   3,687
Fire Box:    500
Circulators: 81
Total:   4,795

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Factor of Adhesion:   4.17

Fire Box: 

Length: 187-1/32 in.
Width:108-3/16 in.

Fuel:  6,450 gallons No. 5 oil

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Gauge of Track:  4 ft. 8-1/2 in.

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Grate Area:  Removed, 1990

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Maximum Tractive Power:  97,350 lbs.

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Superheating Surface (Sq. Ft.):   2,162

Tender Type:  14-wheeled

Tubes: 

2-1/4 in. Diameter:  45 x 20 ft. 0 in.
4 in. Diameter:  177

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Water Capacity:  25,000 gallons

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Weight in Working Order (Lbs.): 

Leading: 102,300
Driving: 404,000
Trailing: 121,600
Engine: 627,900
Tender:446,000

Wheel Base: 

Driving: 12 ft. 2 in. & 12 ft. 2 in.
Engine: 60 ft. 4-1/2 in.
Engine & Tender:121 ft.10-7/8 in