Steam Train Over the Rocky Mountians-SP 4449 @ Marias Pass

Southern Pacific 4449 Glides thru Glacier National Park to events back east in July 2009. It is the only surviving example of Southern Pacific Railroad's (SP) GS-4 class of steam locomotives. The GS-4 is a streamlined 4-8-4 (Northern) type GS stands for "Golden State" (a nickname for California or "General Service." The locomotive was built by Lima Locomotive Works in Lima, Ohio, for SP in May 1941; it received the Red and Orange "Daylight" paint scheme for the passenger trains of the same name which it hauled for most of its service career. 4449 was retired from revenue service in 1957 and put on static display in Oaks Park, Portland, Oregon, the following year, where it remained until 1974. It was restored to operation for use in the second American Freedom Train, which toured the 48 contiguous United States for the American Bicentennial celebrations. Since then, 4449 has been operated in excursion service throughout the continental US; based at the Brooklyn roundhouse in Portland where it is maintained by a group of dedicated volunteers called Friends of SP 4449. Placed into service on May 30, 1941, assigned to the Coast Daylight, SP's premier passenger train between San Francisco and Los Angeles, 4449 was semi-retired from service on September 24, 1956, then donated to the city of Portland, Oregon, on April 24, 1958 where it was placed on outdoor public display in Oaks Park.. It was evaluated for restoration in 1974 after becoming a candidate to pull the American Freedom Train. Its size, power, and graceful lines made it a perfect fit for the Bicentennial train. returned to operation April 21, 1975, wearing a special paint scheme of red, white, and blue. As part of the American Freedom Train, the engine pulled a display train around the most of the United States. In 1981, 4449 was returned to its original "Daylight" colors for the first Railfair in Sacramento, California. In 1984, 4449 pulled an all Daylight-painted train from Portland to New Orleans, Louisiana, to publicize the World's Fair, making it the longest steam train excursion in US history. In 1986, 4449 went to Hollywood to appear in "Tough Guys", 4449 had another famous moment in 1989 when 4449 and Union Pacific 844 made a side-by-side entrance into the Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal in 1989 for the station's 50th anniversary celebrations. It returned to Railfair in Sacramento in 1991 and again in 1999. In 2000, 4449 was repainted black and silver for a Burlington Northern Santa Fe employee appreciation special, then was repainted into the American Freedom Train colors again in early 2002 after the events of the September 11th terrorist attacks. 4449 has since been returned to Daylight colors again, this time in its "as delivered" appearance, May 19, 2007, the 4449 made another rare appearance with the Union Pacific 844 in the Pacific Northwest for the "Puget Sound Excursion", This excursion was a tandem run with both steam locomotives pulling a Union Pacific passenger train consisting of three to four dome cars and several coaches.4449 will attend Trainfestival2009 in Owosso, Michigan from . The historic 2500 mile move from Portland to Owosso is being arranged by the Friends of the 4449, Amtrak, Steam Railroading Institute of Owosso, and Friends of the 261. The Milwaukee Road 261 organization will be lending some of their first class passenger cars including a dome car and observation "Skytop" car for the 4449 and for the other excursion trains at the festival. This trip would mark the first time the 4449 has visited the state of Michigan since pulling the American Freedom Train in 1976. The train will leave Portland on July 3rd and return to Portland on October 20. You can watch it run to Owosso, Michigan, & back by going to www.sp4449.com, and clicking, Marias Pass (el. 5213 ft./1588 m.) is a high mountain pass near Glacier National Park in northwestern Montana in the United States.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SP_4449

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• steam
• railway
• train
• Rocky
• Mountains
• railroad
• locomotive
• sp
• 4449
• sp4449
• southern
• pacific
• vapour
• trens

[stegatops]

Very nice...............but they could have found a less conspicuous diesel to aid the big 4449 along.............Im sure they could find an orange coloured one somewhere that wouldnt ruin the symetry.

[SkipW]

If they had waited for the perfect consist we would still be waiting, so we just take it as it goes

[critchley3819]

Well Its like this, Its no use worring about ifs or buts the simple truth is this man made work of art is out there for humanity to enjoy, and it is a joy to behold. it is a machine to be proud of..

[MrJpfallas]

Magnifico tren, el paisaje es mas lindo aun, exc video...!!

[yuccaflat74]

BELLISSIMO GIOIELLO AMERICANO!!!!!!!!!!!

[HunterR909]

Did you know the friends of 261 are trying to sell a Business Car, so they can raise money for the 261's restoration?

[HunterR909]

You know, there was more to the train than just the 4449.

[oldschoolmechanic]

@stegatops Maybe a BNSF Dash-9 would have blended in better, but I doubt they're made for the speed that the 4449 is capable of.

[koup1979]

this is my favorite steamer, its beautiful...amazing machine!

[kwambam1]

Beautiful train, beautiful local, beautiful video.

[Fizzisist]

Very thrilling footage. You've really covered all angles of the journey. What a super train, still running like it's brand new. Can't say that about many 70 year old vehicles!

[jawad461]

the scenic beauty reminds me of the famous Bolan pass in north eastern Baluchistan (Pakistan). the zigzag railway track winds through the pass similar to this Maria pass at an ascending grade of 1:35 if my memory doesn't fail me.The travel through Bolan pass is my lifelong infatuation. jawad

[floridamadman59]

How much of the wok is the 4449 doing? I just love that sound!!!

[TheHawkeye518]

but seriously, great thing isnt it? in all her glory.

[TheHawkeye518]

0:18 holy crap!. guess who didnt see that coming!

[NSLocomotiveFan]

Please accept my video response!

[brianbaron1]

Excellent video! One of my top two favorite places in the Country and the most amazing feat of fortitude to be able to keep this locomotive in such fine shape to allow it to go on this journey. Thank You Very Much for posting it !!!

[marcelbecker2001]

Great movie! Mark (4)

[daviddodgechallenger]

Marias pass is my fav locaction!

[OBowner]

Lovely video, good editing and congrats to the car driver for keeping pace. Well done to all.

[denysdch]

very good video, was certainely not easy to make...

[modeltrainman12345]

man she is pretty.

[trainmaster844]

@SkipW - I think it's something to do with the machinery that's making the ringing/rattling sound... I don't know why that happens though.... :P

[ARSchimke]

wow look it her go what a abeautaful engine