User Manual
Union Pacific received its fourth order of Challengers
in 1943, and its fifth order in 1944. These were improved
from the earlier design based upon experience gained
from the Big Boy 4-8-8-4 locomotive received in
1941. These locomotives featured double smoke stacks,
centipede tenders and many parts common to the Big
Boys. In 1952 engines from both orders were converted
to burn oil and were renumbered in the 3700 series. They
were commonly assigned to both passenger and freight
movements on the system. Two examples survived the
replacement of steam by diesels, with 3985 receiving a
restoration by volunteer UP employees following years
on display adjacent to the Cheyenne depot. The 3985
returned to special service during the early 1980s, with
an oil conversion for the tender occurring in 1990.
Road Specific Features:
G9122 CHALLENGER UP #3985 (FAN TRIP VERSION)
G9125 CHALLENGER UP #3943 COAL & SMOKE DEFLECTORS
G9126 CHALLENGER UP #3977 TWO TONE GRAY W/OIL TENDER
G9128 CHALLENGER UNDECORATED UNION PACIFIC LATE
G9130 CHALLENGER UP #3964 ALL BLACK, COAL
G9131 CHALLENGER UP #3975 TWO TONE GRAY W/OIL TENDER
G9132 CHALLENGER UP #3958 ALL BLACK, COAL
G9133 CHALLENGER UP #3983 TWO TONE GRAY W/OIL TENDER
In 1943, to meet the demands of increased war-time
traffic, Rio Grande requested more Baldwin 4-6-6-4s
similar to those previously received from this builder.
Instead, the War Production Board diverted six Alco
locomotives from an order then in production for the
Union Pacific. These locomotives were in turn leased
from the Defense Plant Corporation by the D&RGW.
Classified as L-97 locomotives, and assigned numbers
3800 through 3805, these engines spent the duration of
World War II lifting heavy ferrying freight trains over
the Rocky Mountains. When the war ended in 1945
and rail traffic levels returned to normal, the half-dozen
L-97s were deemed surplus and, in 1946, returned to the
War Assets Administration. The following year, these
workhorses were sold to the Clinchfield Railroad.
Road Specific Features:
G9121 CHALLENGER UNDECORATED UP/RIO GRANDE VERSION
G9123 CHALLENGER DENVER & RIO GRANDE WESTERN #3802
G9129 CHALLENGER DENVER & RIO GRANDE WESTERN #3804
The Carolina, Clinchfield & Ohio was a latecomer
to the railroad scene. Completed in 1909, it was built
for the purpose of hauling Kentucky and West Virginia
coal. As a coal hauler it would at first appear that the
high stepping 4-6-6-4s would be out of place in this
environment. However, in 1942, the Clinchfield received
an order of eight Alco Challengers to handle increased
wartime traffic. This first order proved very successful
so, in 1947 when six more locomotives became available
through the War Assets Administration, Clinchfield
acquired them. Originally assigned to the Rio Grande,
these engines were numbered 670-675. They are unique
in that, shortly after delivery, their double smoke stacks
were replaced by large single stacks .
Road Specific Features:
G9120 CHALLENGER UNDECORATED CLINCHFIELD VERSION
G9124 CHALLENGER CLINCHFIELD #670 WITH SINGLE STACK
G9127 CHALLENGER CLINCHFIELD #672 WITH SINGLE STACK
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CLINCHFIELD
UNION PACIFIC