By Molly Engelman

Late April 2022, Union Pacific announced the donation of locomotive 3985 to the non-profit Railroading Heritage of Midwest America. The Challenger is the smaller sibling to the “Big Boy” 4014 featured in the photo and is one of only two (4-6-6-4 Challengers) remaining in existence. 3985 is currently part of UP’s Heritage Fleet of locomotives but will be moved to Silvis, IL later this year to begin its restoration.

My inspiration for this audio clip came from the news of 3985’s new lease on life, as well as the video “Last of the Giants” featuring Union Pacific’s Big Boy locomotives. A link to that video on YouTube is available here. The opening monologue should sound a little familiar, but the audio is my own recording of the 4014 the first time I saw it under steam in Wyoming.