Highlights from the history of the 4-6-6-4 Challenger engines built by ALCO between 1936 and 1943. Take unique trips with 3985 the only Challenger still remaining in operation and one of the largest steam locomotives operating today. See early excursions after reconstruction in 1981 and pace her from the air as 3985 doubleheads with 8444 over Sherman Hill. The pair of engines crests Donner Pass deep in snow. Watch 3985's first solo expedition across Wyoming and through the Bear River Range to Pocatello. Catch the first fan trip down the city streets of Salt Lake, south to Provo and experience breathtaking pacing against the Wasatch Range all white with winter. Bonus footage at the end shows 4-6-6-4s, a few 4-8-4s, and early diesels in the 1940s on the high Plains of Nebraska when Challengers did real work on the Union Pacific.
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Customer Reviews
- 5 of 5
In the Sunday River Version of the Challenger's early years of operating in excursion service until it was retired in 2010 & overtaken by Big Boy 4014 in Late April & Early May 2019, the once largest active steam engine in the modern era is operating on a doubleheader from Cheyenne Wyoming (Until it was moved to Silvis Illinois with 5511 & 6936 in November of 2022) to Old Sacramento California with locations from Sherman Hill to Donner Pass that has diesel helpers in 1981 with 844 as 8444 from 1962-1989, as well as the test run with freight prior to the Grand Opening of the California State Railroad Museum for a meet with Southern Pacific Daylight 4449 that is traveling from Portland Oregon. Along the way, there are extreme close up pacing scenes. Next 3985 made its first solo trips from Cheyenne to Salt Lake City Utah, Ogden Utah, & Pocatello Idaho via the Oregon Short Line & return home in June & July of 1982 to Commemorate the 100th Birthday of Pocatello itself, complete with a Hot Air Balloon on display, not to mention the first Solo excursions from Salt Lake City to Provo as well as a Cab Ride. Finally, we end the program with vintage films in Nebraska that was shot by Mr. Guy Brant in 1951, like 0-6-0 number 4437 switching cars, the 800 series Northerns, & of course the Challengers with a 3800 series one having its firebox on fire, as well as some early diesels. There are also some musical segments like the William Telle Overture for example as well as some angles from the Helicopter. Besides Sunday River, other producers were also on the 8444/3985 Doubleheader in 1981: Video Rails, Hopewell, De Luz Video, the Dave Goodheart Collection, William Brown Video Productions, D.F. & Associates, & others that have since been out of business. For the 1982 Solo Trips in Addition to Sunday River, there was Video Rails, William Brown Video Productions, De Luz Video, the Dave Goodheart Collection, Everett Roher of the late Greg Scholl, & even a couple of others that have since been out of business as well. Keep in mind that these scenes were recorded way before 3985 was converted to oil in 1990.
Additional comments:
Narration: No narration.
Image quality: Excellent!
Value: Seemed a little high.
Recommend? "Must Have"!
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