UP 3985's 2004 trip

Union Pacific 3985 on the Cotton Belt

Photos of Union Pacific's 3985, the Challenger from Bernie, Missouri to Tyler, Texas in Janaury 2004. Photos include a cab ride from Omaha, Texas to Tyler, Texas.

Friday, January 23, 2004 Bernie, Missouri to Pine Bluff, Arkansas

UP 3985 at Bernie, Missouri. January 23, 2004. People were there before sunrise to look at the locomotive.

UP 3985 at Bernie, Missouri. January 23, 2004. One of the crew gets 3985 ready for the trip south to Pine Bluff.

UP 3985 at Bernie, Missouri. January 23, 2004. Rods and running gear.

UP 3985 at Bernie, Missouri. January 23, 2004. Smoke and steam begin to billow out as 3985 gets ready to continue south.

UP 3985 at Bernie, Missouri. January 23, 2004. Crowd looks over 3985.

UP 3985 at Bernie, Missouri. January 23, 2004. Crowd looks over 3985.

UP 3985 crosses the St. Francis River at the Arkansas-Missouri. January 23, 2004.

UP 3985 crosses the St. Francis River at the Arkansas-Missouri. January 23, 2004.

UP 3985 is photographed by two railfans near Marmaduke, Arkansas. January 23, 2004

UP 3985 is photographed by two railfans near Marmaduke, Arkansas. January 23, 2004

UP 3985 at Weiner, Arkansas. January 23, 2004. A family uses the roof of their car to catch a glimpse of 3985

UP 3985 stops for servicing at Hickory Ridge, Arkansas. January 23, 2004. Several hundred people were here and created a mile-long traffic jam.

UP 3985 passes a UP train with CN power on it at Fair Oaks, Arkansas. January 23, 2004

UP 3985 at Clarendon, Arkansas. January 23, 2004

UP 3985 at Clarendon, Arkansas. January 23, 2004

UP 3985 at Altheimer, Arkansas. January 23, 2004

UP 3985 at Altheimer, Arkansas. January 23, 2004

UP 3985 arrives at Pine Bluff, Arkansas. January 23, 2004. This is the site of the old SSW car shops and superintendent's office which have been torn down.

UP 3985 arrives at Pine Bluff, Arkansas. January 23, 2004. This is the site of the old SSW car shops and superintendent's office which have been torn down.

UP 3985 arrives at Pine Bluff, Arkansas. January 23, 2004. This is the site of the old SSW car shops and superintendent's office which have been torn down.

Saturday January 24, 2004 Pine Bluff, Arkansas to Tyler, Texas

UP 3985 at Pine Bluff, Arkansas. January 24, 2004. This is morning of its run to Tyler, Texas

UP 3985 at Fordyce, Arkansas. January 24, 2004.

UP 3985 at Camden, Arkansas. January 24, 2004

UP 3985 at Camden, Arkansas. January 24, 2004

UP 3985 at Stephens, Arkansas. January 24, 2004

UP 3985 at Stephens, Arkansas. January 24, 2004. People use the Ark. Hwy 57 overpass as shelter.

UP 3985 arrives at McNeil, Arkansas. January 24, 2004. About 1000 people stood in the pouring rain to see 3985

UP 3985 arrives at McNeil, Arkansas. January 24, 2004. About 1000 people stood in the pouring rain to see 3985

UP 3985 arrives at McNeil, Arkansas. January 24, 2004. About 1000 people stood in the pouring rain to see 3985

UP 3985 arrives at McNeil, Arkansas. January 24, 2004. Greasing the rods.

UP 3985 arrives at McNeil, Arkansas. January 24, 2004. Greasing the rods.

UP 3985 arrives at McNeil, Arkansas. January 24, 2004. Greasing the rods.

UP 3985 at McNeil, Arkansas. January 24, 2004. 3985 in a sea of umbrellas.

UP 3985 at McNeil, Arkansas. January 24, 2004. People in the rain to see 3985.

UP 3985 at McNeil, Arkansas. January 24, 2004. People in the rain to see 3985.

UP 3985 crosses the Cotton Belt lettered bridge at Garland, Arkansas. January 24, 2004.

UP 3985 arrives at Maud, Texas. January 24, 2004.

UP 3985 at Maud, Texas. January 24, 2004. Pilot crew from Pine Bluff "takes over the cab" for a moment.

UP 3985 during servicing at Omaha, Texas. January 24, 2004.

UP 3985 during servicing at Omaha, Texas. January 24, 2004. It rained more during the service stops.

UP 3985 during servicing at Omaha, Texas. January 24, 2004. Reed Jackson who is the conductor for 3985 helps grease rods.

UP 3985 during servicing at Omaha, Texas. January 24, 2004. The locomotive is guided forward for more greasing.

Cab ride from Omaha, Texas to Tyler, Texas

UP 3985 leaves Omaha, Texas. January 24, 2004. Folks on the ground react to 3985

UP 3985 south of Omaha, Texas. January 24, 2004. Rick Braunschweig, fireman-in-training, keeps an eye on the controls

UP 3985 south of Omaha, Texas. January 24, 2004. Steve Lee, engineer.

UP 3985 south of Omaha, Texas. January 24, 2004. Rick Braunschweig, fireman-in-training, looks back over the train.

UP 3985 south of Omaha, Texas. January 24, 2004. Controls on the fireman's side, with Rick Braunschweig gloved hand.

UP 3985 south of Omaha, Texas. January 24, 2004. Engineer Steve Lee with pilot, Mike Faircloth.

UP 3985 south of Omaha, Texas. January 24, 2004. Lynn Nystrom adds sand to the firebox.

UP 3985 south of Omaha, Texas. January 24, 2004. Tom Cosner one of the pilot crew members with Lynn Nystrom (right)

UP 3985 south of Omaha, Texas. January 24, 2004. Steve Lee

UP 3985 south of Omaha, Texas. January 24, 2004. Controls on the fireman's side.

UP 3985 south of Omaha, Texas. January 24, 2004. Steve Lee.

UP 3985 south of Omaha, Texas. January 24, 2004. What 3000 degrees looks like in the firebox

UP 3985 south of Omaha, Texas. January 24, 2004. Lynn Nystrom, Steve Lee, Mike Faircloth and Steve Cammack.

UP 3985 south of Omaha, Texas. January 24, 2004. Lynn Nystrom (right) talks with Rick Braunschweig.

UP 3985 south of Big Sandy, Texas. January 24, 2004. Steve Lee (left) with new pilot.

UP 3985 arriving at the Cotton Belt depot in Tyler, Texas. January 24, 2004.

UP 3985 at Tyler, Texas. January 24, 2004. David Hoge, photographer, in the cab of 3985.

UP 3985 at Tyler, Texas. January 24, 2004. David Hoge, photographer, in the cab of 3985.