Union Pacific #3985 Challenger

This big guy came to visit us in Central Mo the last couple of days -- it is headed for St Louis tomorrow.

Union pacific says it is the largest operating steam engine in the world!

The second photo is heavily cropped to show the little boy's expression when he stepped out in front of the engine when it was on display -- he was only there for a split second till he realized actually how big this thing is!! -- then ran back to his Dad's protection.

Enjoy!

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#1 is a nice shot. Great catch on the expression in #2.

'Tis a big beast! Poor kid looks scared silly.

. . . nice captures, also like the clear detail in #2 !!

What was the setup used here?

Nice looking engine. Is it a 4-8-4? Hard to tell really....

A mighty beast, I think it's a 4-6-6-4

Ken -- you are really up on your train knowledge! It is indeed a 4-6-6-4, I would not have known this if I had not went out to Union Pacific's website. These were built to pull heavy loads through the mountains in the western US. Each set of wheels has it's own steam cylinders
4 front pilot wheels followed by two sets of 6 driving wheels then the trailing set of 4.
This engine and the tender weighs well over a milion and a half pounds

-- This is from Union Pacific (weight in working pounds) -Leading 102,300 lbs, Driving 404,000 lbs Trailing 121,000 lbs Engine 627,000 lbs Tender (loaded) 441,900 lbs.
I wonder how the tracks take all that weight in the space of 121 feet (engine and tender length)

The biggest locos tha we had in the UK were Beyer Garrett articulated with two traction units with the boiler suspended between them, a pretty rare beast on British Mainline I think it was the LMS that used a few.

Ken -- these are also articulated (bend in the middle)

Excellent shots!

Perfect comp and perspective on #1!