The Clinchfield Railroad Heavy Challenger were a class of 4-6-6-4 "Challenger" Steam locomotives with only six examples built.
History[]
The Clinchfield Railroad Heavy Challenger were a class of 4-6-6-4 "Challenger" Steam locomotives with only six examples built in June 1943 by the American Locomotive Company's Schenectady Works for Freight service originally for the Union Pacific Railroad but was never delivered. However, the War Production Board diverted these six locomotives after completion to the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad via a lease through the War Department's Defense Plant Corporation, then the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad had designated/classified them as L-97 with numbers D&RGW #3800 to #3805. These six were later sold to Clinchfield Railroad in 1947 and were renumbered as 670-675, where they were redesignated/reclassified by the Clinchfield Railroad as their Class E-3 Class.
Disposition[]
Withdrawal of the class began and although Union Pacific Heavy Challenger Nos. 3977 and 3985 survived beyond the days of steam, None of the Clinchfield Heavy Challengers were Preserved, All six of the Clinchfield Heavy Challengers were broken up for scrap in late 1953.
Trivia[]
- Despite all six of the Clinchfield Heavy Challengers being scrapped, Union Pacific Heavy Challenger #3985 masqueraded as the next Clinchfield Heavy Challenger #676 to resurface the legacy of the Clinchfield Heavy Challengers.
Stock list[]
Some of the locomotives when used on the Clinchfield had they're smokeboxes rebuilt with a Singular cast Steel straight stack.
| Loco No. | Image | Build date | Serial | Manufacturer | Retired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 670 | June 1943 | 70163 | American Locomotive Company (ALCO) | August 1953 | Ex D&RGW #3800 | |
| 671 | June 1943 | 70164 | American Locomotive Company (ALCO) | August 1953 | Ex D&RGW #3801 | |
| 672 | 
|
June 1943 | 70165 | American Locomotive Company (ALCO) | August 1953 | Ex D&RGW #3802 |
| 673 | 
|
June 1943 | 70166 | American Locomotive Company (ALCO) | August 1953 | Ex D&RGW #3803 |
| 674 | June 1943 | 70167 | American Locomotive Company (ALCO) | August 1953 | Ex D&RGW #3804 | |
| 675 | 
|
June 1943 | 70168 | American Locomotive Company (ALCO) | August 1953 | Ex D&RGW #3805 |