The Challenger

Hundreds of people lined highway 25 between Dexter and Bernie to see the World's Largest operating steam locomotive. The locomotive is on its way to Houston TX where it will be on display during the Super Bowl XXXVIII.

The tour is celebrating railroad heritage.   The Challenger, built in 1943 is an articulated locomotive with a "hinged" frame that allows it to negotiate curves.  It is 122 feet long, weighs more than 1 million pounds, has 6-foot diameter drive wheels and can reach a top speed of  70  miles per hour.  It was retired in 1959 but Union Pacific employee volunteers restored it to running condition in 1981 for special service.

The Challenger is based in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

The Challenger arrived in Bernie January 22, 2004 at 6:00 PM and departed Friday morning at 8:00 AM with hundreds of people watching the departure.