Last updated 10/08/2000

No Pacific Northwest railroad web page is complete without a few pictures of the 4449, so here are some of mine.

The 4449 is probably the best known steam locomotive in the United States. The stunning "Daylight" paint scheme combined with an active excursion schedule keeps this locomotive in the public eye. Built by Lima in 1941, the 4449 is a member of SP's GS4 (Golden State) class of locomotives. The GS class 4-8-4 locomotives were intended to pull the SP's "Daylight" passenger trains between Los Angeles and San Francisco. After being bumped from passenger service, the GS4s hauled freight. After retirement, the 4449 was donated to the City of Portland and placed on display in Oaks Park along with  SP&S 4-8-4 #700 and UP 4-6-2 #3203.

A local rail fan, Jack Holst, maintained the locomotives in the park and saw that they were not completely neglected. Jack's efforts began to pay off two years after his death. In 1974 the 4449 was judged to be in restorable condition and was removed from the park to the SP's Hoyt St. Roundhouse to be returned to service pulling the American Freedom Train for the Bicentennial celebration.

The SP&S 700 has also been restored to operation, and the UP #3203 is now undergoing restoration at the Brooklyn Roundhouse.

The Friends of the 4449 have a web page with photos and excursion information.

Here the 4449 is headed eastbound through the Columbia River Gorge on it's 1997 Stampede Pass tour. (768x512 58K jpg)

The 4449 passes a west bound freight in the siding at Mary Hill state park in 1997. (768x512 88.7K jpg)

Early morning at Portland's Union Station in June 1998. Note the all weather cab and booster trailing truck. (768x512 67K jpg)

A front quarter view. (768x512 64K jpg)

Turning the train on the wye leading to the Celilo Bridge, just west of Wishram. (768x512 79K jpg)

Layover and lunch stop at Wishram. (768x512 72K jpg)

In early July 2000, the BNSF sponsored a series of steam powered employee specials in the Pacific Northwest divisions. The 4449 was repainted black and given BNSF heralds for the occaison.

Since I was working downtown in a building adjacent to BNSF's King St. Station, I was able to dash down stairs and accross a street to take these photos when the 4449 rolled past the station on it's way to Ballmer Yard at Interbay.

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