Union Pacific two tone gray Challengers

Classic Trains General Discussion
1

Hello!

I would be really interested in learning more about these very large and powerful locomotives, expecially with regard to their service: for example, I know they hauled the Portland Rose, but, apart from it, what else did they pull, both passenger or freight? Which line did they cover? How many years did they spend painted in the “two tone gray with yellow striping and lettering” livery?

Thanks a lot for your answers and, moreover, HAPPY CHRISTMAS.

2

The “Utah Rails” website is a great source for any and all Union Pacific research information. I have included two links pertaining to the Two-Tone Gray Steam Passenger locomotive paint scheme. The first talks about all types of steam locomotives that received this paint treatment:

http://www.utahrails.net/up/ttg.php

The second link talks only about the Challengers:

http://www.utahrails.net/up/ttg-challengers.php

I also managed to find a series of photos of Challenger 3977 which is on display in North Platte, NE. This photo, taken in 2002, shows 3977 in the two-tone gray passenger paint scheme:

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/up/up-s3977ajs.jpg

3

Since the Challengers painted in that scheme only numbered nine I would think they were assigned to the area around Sherman Hill. As to actual assignments besides the Portland Rose I would think the all Pullman Overland to Ogden would have been one assignment. The Los Angeles Limited another as it was quite lengthy postwar. The City streamliners went daily in 1947, 48 and I’m sure if there was a shortage of diesels due to mechanical breakdown or whatever that the two tone grey poower of the UP would have been assigned. The Idahoan would have been another possibility and those secondary trains with much head end traffic such as

4

According to the “Utah Rails” article, there were ten Challengers (3975 - 3984) repainted into the two-tone gray passenger paint scheme and that they were all assigned to the “Northwestern District”. In addition to these ten, UP also assigned three other Challengers (3940, 3944 & 3968) to the district, but they were never repainted. All 13 locomotives were converted to oil when reassigned. It would appear the Northwestern District remained their exclusive “home” until they were replaced as passenger power in 1950 when UP received delivery of additional E7 and E8 diesels. All ten were then repainted back to “basic black”.