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| Randy, Chuck, Colin and a very cool P-51 Mustang |
| Union Pacific "Challenger" # 3985 Roanoke, Texas March 2002 |
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| Vital Statistics |
| History of Challenger #3985 |
| Union Pacific Challenger No. 3985 was designed by Union Pacific and built in 1943 by the American Loco- motive Company. It is one of 105 Challengers built for UP between 1936 and 1943 and is the only operating engine of it's class in the world today - the largest and most powerful operating steam locomotive. No. 3985 Last Operated in "regular" train service in 1957. It was retired in 1962 and stored in the roadhouse in Cheyenne, Wyoming until 1975 when it was placed on display near the Cheyenne Depot. A group of UP employees volunteered their services to restore the locomotive to running condition in 1981. The name Challenger was given to steam locomotives with a 4-6-6-4 wheel arrangement. This means that they have four wheels in the leading pilot truck, which helps guide the locomotive into curves; two sets of six driving wheels, and finally, four trailing wheels, which support the rear of the engine and it's massive firebox, Each set of driving wheels has it's own cylinder. The result, in essence, is two engines under one boiler. The frame of the locomotive is articulated, or hinged to allow it to go through curves. When watching the approaching locomotive go through a curve, you can see the boiler swing out independently of the lower half of the engine as the rear half of the locomotive remains in a straight direction until it's wheels and frame are halfway through the curve. The Challengers were designed for fast freight service, but occasionally pulled passenger trains. No. 3985 originally burned coal and pulled a tender with a 32 ton capacity. In 1990, it was converted to burn oil. The top speed of No. 3985 is about 70 MPH. |
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| Bill's custom built roadster and a Pitts Special Hidden Valley Air Park, Texas |
| Union Pacific "Challenger" # 3985 Roanoke, Texas March 2002 |
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| Vic and his 2000 Roush "Stage ll" Mustang |
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| My first truck |
| This is one of my buds....Vic and that's his pride & joy behind him. We went out one day and took a few photos of him with it. A few days later, he had a professional photo shoot done of the car with some scantily clad models! You can see a lot more of Vic and his Roush on his personal web site by clicking HERE. The photo below is the result of me trying to "chrome" some type.......and doing it wrong. I liked the end result though! |
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| My current truck |
| Audio by ALPINE |
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| Click here to see photos from work |
