We waited. Finally, two switch locos coupled up a consist of classic UP streamliner 40s-era passenger cars. The coupling was done with the engineer's compartments empty. The "operator" stood next to the cars being coupled and moved the yard diesels using a box on his chest, secured with a neck strap. This box contained switches and joysticks and that is how the diesel engines were driven - like a radio-controlled race car. It was very effective - I've never seen a smoother couple-up.

Then the cars were backed up, the mighty articulated Challenger was coupled to the head end and the train took off - 50 minutes late. The Challenger bellowed gigantic quantities of steam and smoke but was surprisingly quiet. It had a commanding whistle, though.

After photographing the Challenger as it departed the yard (we were standing on Interstate Ave. about 30 feet above the train but only 100 feet or so away), we jumped in the car and raced north to Lombard St., which parallels the railroad tracks. We headed east and found a nice spot on the highway near 33rd with a clear view along a straight stretch, pulled a high-speed U-ee and parked.

Soon enough, we saw smoke in the distance and a large form barreling toward us. It was the Challenger at full steam. I stared in awe as the almost two-million pound behemoth thundered by - ten feet away from me. My brain formed a single word: "Wow!"