Union Pacific's articulated 4-6-6-4 Challenger steam locomotive #3985 came to Portland, Oregon, on September 26, 1995. It was built by the American Locomotive Company in July 1943 as part of Union Pacific's 4664-4 Class, the railroad's fourth group of Challengers. It was retired in July 1962 and retained for the railroad's permanent collection. It was placed on display next to the depot in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
In September 1979, the Challenger was removed from display for restoration to operation. It was reinstated to the Union Pacific roster in March 1981 and returned to service in April 1981. It was converted from coal to oil in July 1990. The locomotive has an operating weight of 633,500 pounds (1,070,000 pounds with tender), with 407,500 pounds on the drivers.
The Challenger's cars were left at Union Station while it was serviced and displayed across the river at Albina Yard. Many of these cars would have visited Union Station many times while in regular passenger service with the Union Pacific prior to Amtrak's creation in 1971. As Union Pacific's merger with the Chicago & North Western had occurred earlier in the year, the train also included two cars from the C&NW fleet.
The train included the following cars:
- UP Coach #5486 City of Salina
- UP Coach #5468 Katy Flyer
- UP Dome Diner #7011 Missouri River Eagle
- UP Power Car #208
- UP Dome Coach #7015 Challenger
- UP Dome Diner #8008 City of Portland
- C&NW Full Dome #421 Powder River
- UP Dome Lounge #9009 City of San Francisco
- C&NW Inspection Car #420 Fox River
Each of these cars will be covered in its own post.
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