UP Challenger Locomotive pulling the Circus Train

Union Pacific Steam Locomotive 3985 pulling the Ringling Brother's and Barnum & Bailey circus cars through Greeley, CO

[@1940limited]

I've always marvelled at how Ringling Bros. was able to maintain all that rolling stock and arrange to have it moved all over the country. It's mind boggling. UP's 3985 was certainly the perfect locomotive for the job. It effortlessly pulled all the weight plus some UP cars and a diesel. We'll never see this again.

[@susanmusil2696]

g bridgman unfortunately you are right! That train and engine will never run again. ! It was a magnificent site.

[@transportationproductions1794]

I heard the circus is coming back! Imagine UP 4014 getting chosen to pull the circus train!

[@1940limited]

@@transportationproductions1794 That would be wonderful!

[@needles_sub3307]

@@transportationproductions1794 There won't be another circus train. There are not enough passenger cars to assemble a train of this size. The cars seen here have reached the end of their lives, no matter how many times they are recycled. Doubtful 4014 will ever pull a circus train of this size, much less a circus train of any kind. The circus may come back, but at best, just be a mud show, with lots of computer animation.

[@anb740]

I was also there in downtown Greeley while they had a stopped. A once in a lifetime chase that can’t be repeated. The circus train is gone and UP retired the 3985.

[@KreativeKng]

3985 is being restored now that UP donated it

[@SkipW]

Great video you got the whole thing & it was almost 6200' and over 6000 tons or so they said at the end ceremony in Denver

[@grahamsawyer831]

that engine has the best beat

[@barnabusx]

Thank you for your comment! I took the video on the south side of Greeley, CO. after the train had stopped in town at the depot for a moment. It was a beautiful day and I am sure the ceremony in Denver was wonderful. It was something that a person won't forget for a while!

[@PineValleyDigital]

Awesome Video, Outstanding Audio! Seeing the Challenger is on my Bucket List

[@2quintly]

Beyond impressive ! ! !

[@edmusil9143]

Thank you!

[@danielboone3770]

I love the video! Thanks.

[@TMthe33rd]

Majestic

[@sinkinpat]

I never got to see the circus.

[@sophornnmun3479]

Enjoy the shoot. Keep trying to achieve your dreams.

[@ns4270railfan]

Too bad that the Big Boy 4014 won't be pulling this magnificent train. If the Animal Rights people weren't complaining about the use of animals in this circus, this train and the circus would still be operating and Big Boy would have a chance. Oh well, at least the second largest steamer had a chance to pull this nice train.

[@1940limited]

I'd bet ti was more than just animal rights activists. Attendance was way down. Maintaining all this equipment must have been ultra expensive, too. I always wondered how Ringling Brothers managed that.

[@edwardnono983]

Tigers and lions in the circus

[@irsyadrafianto5290]

#ZaskiaAdyaMecca🇺🇸🇭🇲🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸

[@up1943productions]

2:48 Ex School Bus.

[@JackBlpck427]

Wait.... is that... the UP Big BOy 4000? Doesnt the Challnger have 6 wheels on each axel, not 8?

[@1940limited]

You're kidding, right?

[@irsyadrafianto5290]

🚂💨💨

[@irsyadrafianto5290]

#UpSteam🚂🚂💨💨

[@the1darknight]

And thanks to the RDDB Liberals, the circus is gone.....I wonder when they'll come to outlaw the steam engines forever, too!

[@edmusil9143]

What is interesting John Smith is that the Northern locomotive 844 came through town last year and put out very little smoke. I know that locomotive burns heavy fuel oil so I wonder what UP has done to make it run cleaner.

[@DMW-iq2ie]

Ed Musil It depends on how experienced the fireman is. It was putting out very little smoke because they were burning the least amount of fuel to get the most amount of steam. The more fuel you put in the fire, the more smoke comes out. So when you saw 844 making small puffs of smoke, that means it was being run efficiently. Hope this helps.

[@JohnEDoey]

In Sacramento, the California State Railroad Museum is forbidden by the emissions regulators from running the UP 4466 anymore for excursions because it is a coal burner. That engine ran there for over 20 years!

[@pangrum900]

Halo

[@1940limited]

@@JohnEDoey Canada has a similar law. All steam locomotives have to burn oil. CA's run by communists, anyway.