| Nice ALCo-Schenectady builder's photo of the massive Denver & Rio Grande Western 4-6-6-4 "Challenger" type loco #3800. Originally the loco was to be sold to Union Pacific but the War Production Board arranged a lease of six 4-6-6-4 Challengers to the DRGW. Although powerful and fast, DRGW did not like them. After only 4 years returned them to UP who sold the set to the Clinchfield railroad in 1947. All were retired in August of 1953. Original specs - 69" drivers, imcredible 280 psi boiler pressure, four 21x32" cylinders, massive engine wt of 630,000 lb, and tractive effort of 97,350 lb. |