The Challenger 3895 is scheduled to arrive in North Platte September 18th at 3:00.  The Challenger will be on display throughout the Railfest celebration.  

September 19th	400 East Front Street	Display 8 am - 5 pm
September 20th	400 East Front Street	Display 8 am - 5 pm
September 21st	400 East Front Street	Display 8 am - 5 pm

 

“Live Steam” is the hallmark of railroad history and heritage. It symbolizes the strength and the importance of days gone by. Steam was the power that transformed our nation.

 

Enthusiasts, young and old, still marvel at the intricacies of the most incredible technology of its time. The Union Pacific Railroad has operated some of the most modern and powerful steam locomotives ever built. The capabilities of these incredible steam locomotives made them the mainstay of UP freight operations through the 1950’s.

Today, one of two remaining Challengers, No. 3977, is on display in North Platte, NE. The other, Challenger No. 3985, was kept by Union Pacific for excursion service.

The UP has created six specially painted locomotives to commemorate the railroads that have become part of the UP system. These represent the:

• Chicago & North Western Railroad - UP 1995
• Missouri Kansas Texas Railroad - UP 1988
• Missouri Pacific Railroad - UP 1982
• Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad - UP 1989
• Southern Pacific Railroad - UP 1996
• Western Pacific Railroad - UP 1983

The UP miniature train will be at the Railfest this year September 19th - 21st.

The miniature train was built in Union Pacific's Omaha Locomotive and rail car repair shops in 1956 and is sometimes called the Pride of the Omaha Shops." For many years, Union Pacific has operated a miniature train in various parades, UP Employee Family Days and other civic events. Today, the mini-train makes about 50 appearances a year throughtout Union Pacific's 23-state system and generally is booked up to three years in advance of special civic celebrations.