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O.T./ I seen the Challenger

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Bill Smith

01-14-2004 18:37:31

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Union Pacifics 4-6-6-4 Challenger (world's largest operational steam locomotive) is on its way to Houston for display, I think, at the Super Bowl festivities. Anyways, I seen it rolling down the tracks today. Being able to see it was just part of the fun, because there was nothing like hearing that big locomotive chugging and blowing its whistle from way up the line. I thought antique tractoring was fun. I wonder what it would be like to be the engineer on that steam engine, and opening up the throttle to full steam, reach 70 mph, hang your head out the window, and blow the whistle. Now that would just be awesome. Just had to tell ya about it, and now I'll try to return my thoughts back to puttering around on the F-20. LOL

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Michael Soldan

01-15-2004 13:55:00

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Re: O.T./ I seen the Challenger in reply to Bill Smith, 01-14-2004 18:37:31

Bob Seiger "That long Twin Silver Line".... Bill about 15 years ago my dad phoned me to say a steam engine was coming into London Ontario the Royal Edward was crossing Canada to raise money for its survival. We ended up in the cab with the fireman, it was an oil fired steamer, my dad grew up in the days of steamers and he was in his glory, it was a moment we shared that I have forever. Isn't it amazing to see those monsters spewing steam and belching from their stacks and flying down the line ..you saw a wonderfull thing when you saw the Challenger....ding ding ding..whuff whuff whuff..... .....Mike in Exeter Ontario

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Bill B

01-15-2004 05:16:09

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Re: O.T./ I seen the Challenger in reply to Bill Smith, 01-14-2004 18:37:31

When I was in Germany in the 60s, they still used steam in the Eifel. I often went to the station to see them come and go.
If you ever make it to the Amish country around Lancaster PA, go to the Strausburg rail road and take a ride, and across the street is the state train museum, a huge building filled with locomotives, mostly steam, and mostly made in PA.

PA railroad museum

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Dave in GA

01-15-2004 04:45:20

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Re: O.T./ I seen the Challenger in reply to Bill Smith, 01-14-2004 18:37:31

We're fortunate to have a train museum near us that is staffed entirely by volunteers.

See: >Link

It's>Link on 30 acres and has lots of old steamers, diesels, and other rolling stock. Some are restored and some in the restoration process. You can climb on most of the equipment. On weekends, you can go there and actually help with the restoration work on whatever project they have going. Many of the volunteers are retired railroad workers and mechanics. I take my 3 boys there occasionally and they love it. A must-visit for train and tractor buffs passing through Atlanta.

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Haas

01-15-2004 03:44:26

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Re: O.T./ I seen the Challenger in reply to Bill Smith, 01-14-2004 18:37:31

There used to be a Big Boy and several other locomotives on display at the National Museum of Transport in St. Louis. I suppose they are still there. It has been years since I was there. You were not supposed to climb up on them, except the one that was fixed up with platforms and so on. However, we did anyway as there was not much of a crowd the day we were there and no one was checking. Climb up in the cab and look at all the iron out in front of you!! It's amazing the things could even move.

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John in Ne.

01-14-2004 21:25:02

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Re: O.T./ I seen the Challenger in reply to Bill Smith, 01-14-2004 18:37:31

I saw the Challenger several years ago in Hastings,Ne. There was a Big Boy in Omaha close to the airport,I think it has been moved to Council Bluffs,Ia. It is a awesome sight to see.John.

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big fred

01-14-2004 19:38:09

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Re: O.T./ I seen the Challenger in reply to Bill Smith, 01-14-2004 18:37:31

Saw a program on teevee about the big articulated locomotives. The engineer on the UP Big Boy said it's a sobering thought to look out the window and catch sight of the tie rods going around, knowing how much they weigh. He said it's hard not to imagine what would happen if they should break loose at high speed.

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Bob M

01-14-2004 19:13:41

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Re: O.T./ I seen the Challenger in reply to Bill Smith, 01-14-2004 18:37:31

Bill - Wished I'd seen it!

Punch below for a fascinating photo essay by a current diesel engineer who had an opportunity to drive a large steam locomotive. It takes a few moments to download (it's large with many good photos) but is well worth the wait.

Incidentally I saw the NKP 765 Mikado(?) 2-8-4 pulling an excursion on the old Erie main in upstate NY about 15 years ago. The sight and sound of this massive machine working at speed were almost beyond words.

driving a 4-8-4 steamer

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George Willer

01-14-2004 19:51:31

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Re: Re: O.T./ I seen the Challenger in reply to Bob M, 01-14-2004 19:13:41

Bob,

I was present at the first static steamup of 765 in Ft Wayne after it was restored after spending many years in the park. I went with some members of the Mad River group in Bellevue, OH. I've forgotten the year, but it was around 1976. Yes, it was very impressive. I understand it is back in retirement now. Oh, I think it is a Lima locomotive, built in 1943. I've also seen it from an overpass pulling an excursion train near my home at Fremont OH.

George Willer

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