Steam locomotive visits Roseville

Union Pacific Railroad's "Challenger" No. 3985, the world's largest operating steam locomotive, will be on a six-state, 2,800-mile tour from Cheyenne, Wyo., to Portland, Ore., to celebrate railroad heritage.During this tour, the 62-year-old locomotive will be on display in Roseville on Saturday and Sunday.The remainder of the tour will go through Eugene, Ore. on Sept. 8; Portland, Ore. Sept. 10 through Sept. 21; Boise, Idaho on Sept. 25; and Pocatello, Idaho on Sept. 27.Union Pacific's No. 3985, an articulated locomotive with a "hinged" frame to allow it to negotiate curves, is 122 feet long. It weighs more than one million pounds, has six-foot diameter drive wheels and can reach a top speed of 70 miles per hour.No. 3985 was built in 1943 for fast freight service and was retired in 1959. In 1981, it was restored to running condition by UP employee volunteers for special service.The Challenger is based in Cheyenne, Wyoming.A Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) transmitter was installed on one of the railcars that will travel with No. 3985. The GPS system has been integrated with a map on UP's Web site at www.up.com. Enter the word "Steam" in the search box on the homepage for a shortcut to the map. Web site visitors will be able to access route maps with varying amounts of detail. The GPS system will update the map every five minutes showing No. 3985's location.Union Pacific Corporation owns one of America's leading transportation companies. Its principal operating company, Union Pacific Railroad, links 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country and serves the fastest-growing U.S. population centers. Union Pacific's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Energy, Industrial Products and Intermodal.The railroad offers competitive long-haul routes from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways. Union Pacific connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major gateways to Mexico, making it North America's premier rail franchise.