User:The World Baker/sandbox

= Union Pacific 3977 =

The Union Pacific 3977 is a preserved four-cylinder simple articulated 4-6-6-4 "Challenger"-type steam locomotive built in June of 1943 by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) of Schenectady, New York, for the Union Pacific Railroad, as part of the 4664-4 order of Challengers. It is one of only two Challengers still in existence, with the other being its famous sister engine No.3985.

Since 1968, No. 3977 is on static display in North Platte, Nebraska, alongside EMD DDA40X 6922. Around the early 2000s, it was repainted into the current two-tone gray passenger paint scheme.

Revenue Service
The design of the Canadian National 6400, a semi-streamlined locomotive, was a result of wind tunnel research conducted by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) in the 1930s. The NRC researchers were looking for ways to improve smoke clearance around the locomotive cabs of steam trains. Instead of making changes to its existing locomotive designs, Canadian National used the research to have an entirely new style of locomotive built.

The Canadian National Railway took delivery of five 6400 Series locomotives, numbered 6400-6404, from Montreal Locomotive Works Limited in 1936. Intended for passenger service, primarily in southern Ontario and Quebec, these locomotives, with their sleek modern style, also became an important marketing tool for the company.

Retirement
Shortly after 6400’s completion in June of 1936, it was used as an excursion locomotive out of La Prairie, Quebec for the centennial celebrations of Canada's first railway, the Champlain & St. Lawrence, having commenced operation on July 21st, 1836 with locomotive Dorchester built in England at Newcastle upon Tyne.

The 6400 would shed it's olive green paint for a striking royal blue and silver livery, as it and six other locomotives, would participate in pulling the Royal Train carrying both King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II, throughout Canada in May and June of 1939 in what would be the first visit to Canada by reigning Monarchs. The 6400 beared the Royal Coat of Arms under its head-lamp, hauling a total of twelve cars that were also in a royal blue and silver paint scheme.

1939 would also see the 6400, still in royal blue, make a trip to New York as an exhibit in the "World of Tomorrow" display at the New York World's Fair, alongside a few other steam locomotives, including the New York Central’s famous streamlined J-3a Hudson.