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Railroads & Locomotives Locomotives Locomotive profile: 4-6-6-4 Challenger type steam locomotive

Locomotive profile: 4-6-6-4 Challenger type steam locomotive

By Angela Cotey | February 20, 2020

| Last updated on November 3, 2020


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Union Pacific 4-6-6-4 Challenger type steam locomotive No. 3985 pulls an excursion in Iowa in 2002.
Union Pacific 4-6-6-4 Challenger type steam locomotive No. 3985 pulls an excursion in Iowa in 2002.
Jim Wrinn
4-6-6-4

•YEARS BUILT: 1936 to 1947

•MANUFACTURERS: Alco, Baldwin

•OPERATED ON: Union Pacific; Northern Pacific; Spokane, Portland & Seattle; Clinchfield; Delaware & Hudson; Western Pacific; Western Maryland; Denver & Rio Grande
Western

•NAME: Challenger

•QUANTITY: 252; Union Pacific had the most with 105

•BOILER PRESSURE: 255-280 psi

•KNOWN FOR: High speed freight and passenger service

•STATUS: Union Pacific Challenger No. 3985 has operated on excursions and on display since 1981. It is stored in Cheyenne, Wyo.

One thought on “Locomotive profile: 4-6-6-4 Challenger type steam locomotive”

  1. What a shame that UP can’t have all three of its big engines, 844, 3985, and 4014 operating together.

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