Union Pacific's Challenger steam locomotive, the 3985, started a several week journey to Houston, Texas from its home in Cheyenne, Wyoming on Saturday, May 22, 2004. Here is the train's first service stop on this epic journey, at Lodgepole, Nebraska about 1130 a.m. that day.  My wife and I were on our way to Montana for another special train ride and worked it out so that we could be in Lodgepole on May 22.  There is also a shot of it speeding eastbound through Chappell, Nebraska, about 9 miles east of Lodgepole.


Arriving in Lodgepole, Nebraska at 1136 a.m. May 22, 2004. Its' consist was: Challenger 3985, tender, two water cars, UP Tool Car 9336, Art Lockman 6334, Howard Fogg 209, Baggage Golden State Limited 5714, Sherman Hill and Theater Car Idaho on the rear.


A new addition to this train was the Theater Car Idaho.


A girl takes in the sites along with a healthy crowd.


View from the east, still at Lodgepole.


View from south of the tracks.




Speeding eastbound through Chappell, Nebraska at 1216 p.m.


Downtown Lodgepole. The Steam crew awaits 3985's arrival.

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