Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 16 hours ago
In 2026 Union Pacific 3985 is laid up, awaiting restoration. Let's go back to 2008 to see her strutting her steam stuff across the Midwest prairie states. This is Highball Productions, "Midwest Challenger".
*No AI was used to bring you this show.* Read about our AI Policy and how we get videos ready for YouTube at: Pentrex.com/AI
*About Highball Productions:* Peter Crook is the man behind the camera for HIghball - and he traveled the world to find, and bring us, amazing rail action. From America to Europe to Australia and SOuth Africa - Highball brings you a world of train action.
*About Pentrex:* For 40+ Years we've been the leader in railroad video entertainment. See us at Pentrex.com and right here on YouTube, with the Official Pentrex Channel!
Pentrex is more than just "Pentrex Railroad Videos", we are also railroad videos by: Highball Productions, Green Frog, Donner Rails, WB Video, Valhalla Video and 5 other brands! We have nearly 1,000 shows - and all will eventually be uploaded to YouTube. Subscribe so you don't miss any of the rail action.
*About this show:* At the time this show was filmed, September 2008, Big Boy 4014 was just a dream...but Challenger 3985 was the real thing. Union Pacific 3985 was the largest operating steam locomotive in the world.
Follow her as she leads a U.P. special between Cheyenne, Wyoming and Saint Paul, Minnesota. You'll see this impressive, massive locomotive storming Archer Hill, along the busy triple track, with a spirited departure from North Platte, and then the run towards Saint Paul.
Get better quality and a permanent addition to your collection with the DVD: pentrex.com/DVD-Midwest-Challenger---Union-Pacific-3985_3985W
0:00 Challenger 3985 history
1:36 In cab tour of a steam locomotive
7:24 The big 4-6-6-4 on Archer Hill
13:22 A close up as 3985 is serviced
25:05 Challenger 3985 on the Triple Track
33:16 A crowd at Kearney
38:19 Across the prairie - with no diesel back-up
37:52 1225 & 765 doublehead into Cincinnati
44:04 Impressive - from a standing start
51:07 Missouri Valley, Iowa
1:08:31 Storming the corn fields of Iowa
Thumbnail images from:
Mark Evans, via a CC-BY-2.0 license
Michael Hicks, via a CC-BY-2.0 license
Lobster1, via a CC-BY-SA-3.0 license
In 2026 Union Pacific 3985 is laid up, awaiting restoration. Let's go back to 2008 to see her strutting her steam stuff across the Midwest prairie states. This is Highball Productions, "Midwest Challenger".
*No AI was used to bring you this show.* Read about our AI Policy and how we get videos ready for YouTube at: Pentrex.com/AI
*About Highball Productions:* Peter Crook is the man behind the camera for HIghball - and he traveled the world to find, and bring us, amazing rail action. From America to Europe to Australia and SOuth Africa - Highball brings you a world of train action.
*About Pentrex:* For 40+ Years we've been the leader in railroad video entertainment. See us at Pentrex.com and right here on YouTube, with the Official Pentrex Channel!
Pentrex is more than just "Pentrex Railroad Videos", we are also railroad videos by: Highball Productions, Green Frog, Donner Rails, WB Video, Valhalla Video and 5 other brands! We have nearly 1,000 shows - and all will eventually be uploaded to YouTube. Subscribe so you don't miss any of the rail action.
*About this show:* At the time this show was filmed, September 2008, Big Boy 4014 was just a dream...but Challenger 3985 was the real thing. Union Pacific 3985 was the largest operating steam locomotive in the world.
Follow her as she leads a U.P. special between Cheyenne, Wyoming and Saint Paul, Minnesota. You'll see this impressive, massive locomotive storming Archer Hill, along the busy triple track, with a spirited departure from North Platte, and then the run towards Saint Paul.
Get better quality and a permanent addition to your collection with the DVD: pentrex.com/DVD-Midwest-Challenger---Union-Pacific-3985_3985W
0:00 Challenger 3985 history
1:36 In cab tour of a steam locomotive
7:24 The big 4-6-6-4 on Archer Hill
13:22 A close up as 3985 is serviced
25:05 Challenger 3985 on the Triple Track
33:16 A crowd at Kearney
38:19 Across the prairie - with no diesel back-up
37:52 1225 & 765 doublehead into Cincinnati
44:04 Impressive - from a standing start
51:07 Missouri Valley, Iowa
1:08:31 Storming the corn fields of Iowa
Thumbnail images from:
Mark Evans, via a CC-BY-2.0 license
Michael Hicks, via a CC-BY-2.0 license
Lobster1, via a CC-BY-SA-3.0 license
