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250 Years of US Independence
They long stood in the shadow of the world-famous "Big Boys." We're talking about the no less imposing "Challenger" locomotives of the Union Pacific Railroad (UP). During the steam era, the UP struggled with steep gradients and numerous curves on the important transcontinental line through the Rocky Mountains. Helper and pusher locomotives were commonplace, especially on freight trains. In the mid-1930s, the UP sought solutions to streamline this complex and expensive operation. The six-coupled, single-frame locomotives of the 9000 series had reached their design limits. Consequently, the UP developed a powerful "Articulated" locomotive, which, with its two engines, was intended to break new ground in terms of performance. The construction contract was ultimately awarded to the American Locomotive Company (ALCO), which delivered the first examples of these (2'C)C2' h4 giants to the UP in 1936. The six driving axles powered four cylinders, and two leading and two trailing axles per engine made it possible to install a truly super-powerful boiler with a huge firebox. The front engine was movable, resulting in excellent curve negotiation. These enormous steam locomotives, 37 meters long and weighing over 450 tons, proved their worth from the outset. With their 5,000 hp output and a top speed of 110 km/h, they could also be used in heavy passenger service. The name "Challenger" soon emerged for this successful design. This likely meant to express that this then ultramodern locomotive type was ready to take on any challenge. The UP ultimately procured 105 "Challengers," which were delivered in five series between 1936 and 1944 as Class 3900. The locomotives built from 1942 onwards were modified versions with increased power output of nearly 6,000 hp and a larger tender. Six examples were factory-fitted with smoke deflectors, a two-tone paint scheme (light gray/medium gray), and oil firing for use on express trains. In addition, the UP converted numerous coal-fired Challengers to oil firing from 1941 onwards. To distinguish these locomotives from their coal-fired counterparts, some were renumbered 3700-3717. Before the dieselization of their respective operating areas, the Challenger locomotives were crucial pillars of the Union Pacific's train operations. Due to their sheer numbers, they were hardly overshadowed by the legendary "Big Boys." Moreover, the Challengers, because of their shorter length, were more versatile. Anyone wanting to evoke the golden age of American railroads with giant steam locomotives on their model railway cannot ignore the "Challenger," especially since numerous other railroad companies also acquired this successful UP model. Furthermore, the surviving "Challenger" 3985 was the largest operational steam locomotive in the world between 1981 and 2010.