(The following story by Diane Wetzel appeared on The North Platte Telegraph website on August 19.)
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — The world’s largest steam locomotive and the world’s largest diesel locomotive will be in North Platte in September as part of Rail Fest 2008, the Union Pacific Railroad announced on Monday.
The UP’s Challenger No. 3985 and Centennial No. 6936 will travel from Cheyenne to North Platte on Thursday, Sept. 18.
“The trip from their home base in Cheyenne and public display in North Platte provides a rare opportunity to witness these unique and powerful pieces of machinery,” said Mark Becker, spokesman for the U.P. “North Platte is steeped in railroad history. These locomotives will be operating over rail line that was built in 1867 as part of the Transcontinental Route.”
The locomotives will be displayed from Friday, Sept. 19, until Sunday, Sept. 21, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 400 East Front Street, the location of the former passenger depot and the North Platte Canteen.
“That is where, between Dec. 25, 1941, and April 1, 1946, every troop train was met by volunteers who prepared and served sandwiches, coffee, cookies, cakes and other homemade goodies to more than 6 million members of the military,” Becker said.