Sp4449 Daylight Special East July 5, 2009 Whitefish to Havre

On July 5, 2009 I had one of the best days ever. I had a ticket to ride behind the former Southern Pacific 4449 steam locomotive around Glacier National Park. The vid starts with the Amtrak Genesis 23 getting serviced at the BNSF fueling station, notice the old roundhouse in the background. Then it is off and running, past Bad Rock Canyon, Belton/West Glacier, with the Depot and Chalet, then along the Middle Fork of the Flathead. Past Essex, and the Izaak Walton Inn, then on to the snow sheds. Past Goat Lick, over the Middle Fork trestle, past happy train fans, then on up to Marias Pass. My footage does not do the beautiful Beargrass flowers along the way justice. Past Lubec Lake, with the _backbone_of_the_world_ the Continental Divide in the background. Rolling over Midvale Creek, then past Glacier Park Hotel and Glacier Park Station. Across Two Medicine Trestle, the highest on the original GN. Then quickly away from the mountains across the prairie towards Havre. Our car: the former Milwaukee Road Superdome 53, a full length dome car. Our gracious hosts along the way, the volunteers of the Friends of SP4449 and the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation. Always ready to spring into action at a stop to sell Daylight Memorabilia to pay for the tremendous costs of operating 4449. Fans of this Engine? Consider a donation at SP4449.com, or better yet, buy a ticket for a segment of the trip. Thank You to all of the people who made such a wonderful trip possible, keep fighting the good fight! During the trip, I talked with one gentleman who said that BNSF were considering Excursion Trains next summer around Glacier Park to celebrate the 100th anniversary. I told him that with Dome cars or even open seating cars, and with open vestibules, that it would be a fabulous experience. Hope that comes to pass! Wonder why no footage from the horseshoe curve? We were so close to the locomotive that my shots were not very good.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Steam
• 4449
• rail
• Glacier Park

[jlwii2000]

How much did this cost you?

[SkipW]

Hey, Thanks for the ride thru the snowshed it was priceless!

[CairnTerrier69]

Wonderful footage. I can only imagine how great a trip that must have been. Thank you for sharing.

[trainboy07]

Could you repost with the location banner somewhere that tell where you on the line. it was cool to see MSTS Marias Pass in real life. great job!!

[SLSF1522]

This is definatlly the most scenic portion of the trip, great job, wish I could have been there.

[railsetc]

Answering about 2584: I would love to restore that thing...

[2NY100]

Now if I can get 4449 on my train simulator. Great vid!

[switchstand]

Wow. That was some great countryside. Neat shots from the train.  Thanks for posting. How crazy are the railfans going to be around here when 4449 gets to Chicago, Indiana and Michigan?

[trainsmaniac2009]

I guess I will be seeing you when the train pulls into Savanna, IL. I, along with a friend, will be chasing the train (and you) from Savanna out to Milledgeville which is about 20 miles to the east of Savanna. Have a great trip!

[ervans]

Great video 5*