Uploaded January 2024 | Updated September 2026, 57 minutes ago

---

Before Big Boy 4014 was restored, the largest steam locomotive running was Union Pacific's massive 4-6-6-4 Challenger #3985.

This program follows the 3985 from North Platte, Nebraska to St. Paul, Minnesota, then from Fremont, Nebraska, through North Platte, then on to the Challenger's home base in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

There's many great runbys, as well as mile after mile of pacing (check out the sequence that begins at 56:32), some at 60 mph or faster. If you like big steam, then you'll love this program.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction
6:58 Depart North Platte
14:53 Depart Kearney
20:50 Depart Columbus
24.46 Depart Missouri Valley
33:02 Engineer Lynn Nystrom interview
36:54 Depart Boone
41:42 Depart Mason City
51:31 Return trip-Depart Fremont
1:00:53 Depart North Platte