Producer: Pentrex
Locations: Memphis, Nashville, Louisville, Kingsport, Cincinnati, St. Louis
Timeframe: 1992
Length: 1 hour 54 minutes
Union Pacific Challenger 4-6-6-4 3985 masquerades as a Clinchfield Challenger 676. This was for the 50th anniversary of the annual Santa Claus Special. The consist has 7 UP and 3 CSX business cars. At this time, the train runs on CSX.
A single DVD-R. Fullscreen aspect ratio 4×3. Live environmental audio.
Main Chapter Menu. On-screen subtitles. Chapter advance. Plenty of maps. Preview section. Narrated by David Drui. Some additional information by railroad workers interpolated.
To the Trains… 👉
Memphis – Nashville. November 11, 1992. This picks up with the UP 3985 at Memphis. This train journeys to Nashville. On a sharp curve at Mckenzie, Kentucky. The headlight position reveals the articulated design of this locomotive.
UP 3985 under a head of steam! California, Kentucky.
Clinchfield 676. November 17. Clinchfield signage has been applied. Transformed now, 676 travels C&O rails to Elkhorn City, Kentucky. This is Clinchfield territory.
Santa Claus Special. November 21. Santa Claus Special departs from Shelby Yard.
Santa Train stops with Christmas gifts at Dante.
676 goes slowly across Copper Creek Trestle.
The Special arrives to a large crowd at Kingsport Station.
Santa Claus Special had a successful run. A CSX Employee Special follows on November 22.
Leaving Clinchfield rails at Elkhorn City. Train will journey back to St. Louis.
At the KC interlocking tower. Covington, Kentucky.
St. Louis across the MacArthur bridge.
Union Pacific’s Clinchfield Challenge, Santa Claus Special
The centerpiece of this release is obvious. The Clinchfield 676 on The Santa Claus Special. Bookending the main event. Plenty of before and after footage. The UP train returns via former C&O trackage.
That return trip to St. Louis plays like a 2nd feature! Different and just as riveting to watch. It eventually appears at Cincinnati, Ohio. 137ms
A great show from the Steve Lee era. A fine one for family viewing. While the full length might be long for children. Use the Chapters and play the Santa Special for them
The dependable high quality expected from Pentrex is here. Considering it was taped in 1992. Excellent clarity and consistent colors are amazing.
Dressed as either 3985 or 676, one thing is constant. The large locomotive blowing the whistle loud and drawing a crowd!
This program would make an excellent part of holiday movies to have on hand. UP Nuts, Steam Railfans, and Clinchfield fans are in for a nice treat with this show. Union Pacific’s Clinchfield Challenge 50th Anniversary Special. Merry Christmas!
Rating: 5 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 