(The following story by Algis J. Laukaitis appeared on the Lincoln Journal Star website on January 12.)
LINCOLN, Neb. — There’s nothing like seeing an old locomotive rolling down the tracks like a mad dragon, puffing black smoke and white steam into the air.
It’s twice as special when it’s done in the winter. Clouds of steam rise like thunderheads in the cold.
Railroad buffs and the public will get a chance to gaze at such a magical monster when the Union Pacific Railroad?s “Challenger” No. 3985 rolls across Nebraska early this week on its way to the Super Bowl in Houston.
No. 3985, the world’s largest operating steam locomotive, is based in Cheyenne, Wyo., and seldom leaves its home — especially in winter. UP officials decided to make the special 3,500-mile, nine-state tour to celebrate railroad heritage.
“Houston is steeped in railroad history, and having the world’s largest operating steam locomotive on display during the Super Bowl seemed a natural fit,” the railroad said in a press release.
The famed locomotive is scheduled to leave Cheyenne this morning, stopping for service in Lodgepole before heading on to North Platte, where it’s expected to arrive at 4 p.m. for an overnight stay. Tuesday morning, it will make its way across the Platte Valley and then head southeast toward Marysville, Kan., where it will again stay overnight.
Southeast Nebraska residents will get a chance to see No. 3985 in all its glory as it rolls across the countryside and swings through Fairbury and the Blue Springs-Wymore area. Unfortunately, there won’t be any stops along the way for close up inspection.
But if you’re adventurous and have some time on your hands, you can catch the locomotive at Level, a UP railroad stop just south of Hastings. Crews will service the locomotive there from about 11:30 a.m. to noon.
Dick Rumbolz and other members of the Lincoln Railfans Club plan to be there. They wouldn’t miss it for the world.
“To those of us who are sentimental ? it’s a significant thing to us that the Union Pacific will still take that engine out,” said the 73-year-old railroad fan.
Rumbolz said the railroad doesn’t like to roll out its old locomotives except in good weather because of expense and liability, so seeing one rolling down the tracks with a full head of steam in the winter is a real treat, especially for photographers.
“I like to see them and hear it,” said Rumbolz, explaining his fascination with old locomotives.
He’s seen No. 3985 at least a half dozen times and it still gives him a thrill. He and other club members plan to carpool and “pace” the locomotive as it moves through the state. Pace means following the locomotive along its route, but Rumbolz admits that it will be hard to do once Challenger hits the countryside where roads don’t follow the tracks all of the time.
UP spokesman Mark Davis said he expects to see large crowds along Challenger’s route. He’s already received calls from Texarkana, Texas, where four school districts plan field trips to see the 60-year-old locomotive. He hasn’t heard of any schools in Nebraska planning to do the same but he said the train is a great experience for children and adults alike.
“It’s always amazing the number of people that come out to see the locomotive,” said Davis. The locomotive’s most recent Nebraska appearance was in September at the River City Roundup in Omaha.
If you happen to miss No. 3985 on it’s way south, don’t fret. The train will take the same route back to Cheyenne after the Super Bowl, said Davis.
But before coming back through Nebraska, Challenger will stop in Kansas City, Mo., where it will be on public display at Union Station from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 9. The locomotive will then make its way to Marysville, Kan., on Feb. 10, where it will stay overnight. It will resume its journey on Feb. 11, leaving Marysville at 8 a.m. and roll ing through Fairbury and the Blue Springs-Wymore area later that morning. Challenger is scheduled to arrive at the Level railroad stop at 10:45 a.m., where it will be serviced before departing a half hour later.
If you’re planning to go out and see the train, here’s some advice from Rumbolz: “Show up early and expect it to be late.”