Up 3985 Scrapped
How many up challengers are left?
Though designed for Union Pacific, only 105 of the 252 built went to the company. The Challenger also became part of the Denver & Rio Grande, Northern Pacific, Spokane, Portland & Seattle, Western Maryland, the Western Pacific, and Great Northern railroads. Today, only two of the 252 Challengers built remain preserved.
Union Pacific Challenger: Big Boy's 'Little' Brother - National Railroad ...
What happened to the Union Pacific Challenger?
No. 3985 was restored to operating condition by Union Pacific in 1981 and used in excursion service until mechanical problems sent it back into storage in October 2010. It was officially retired in January 2020 and is stored in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Union Pacific Challenger - Wikipedia
3985 in excursion service for the foreseeable future. No further information about the future of the locomotive has been released and No. 3985 continues to remain stored at the Union Pacific roundhouse in Cheyenne, Wyoming as of 2021, with no plans to bring it back to operation anytime soon.
Union Pacific 3985 - Wikipedia
It is one of 105 Challengers built for Union Pacific between 1936 and 1943 and was, for many years, the only operating engine of its class in the world – the largest and most powerful operating steam locomotive. That title has transitioned to Big Boy No. 4014 now that No. 3985 is retired again.
UP No. 3985 - The Challenger - Union Pacific