I think this was my grandfather's favorite train. He had an HO layout in his basement (he lived in Portland), and this train model was his pride and joy. Great memories! Thank you!
This was the prettiest and best film i have ever seen about trains ever! That gorgeus locomotive with those fantastic looking cars in that absolutely wonderful invironment is just stunning! Thank´s a lot for the upload and cheers from Sweden!!
I have had the honor and privilege to see her a few times. A friend from the Netherlands sent me a video of her. Was good, but nothing is like seeing her up close and personal.
What a fantastic video! The GS-4 class of locomotives --especially the 4449, with her "Daylight" paint scheme--- were the most beautiful and perfectly proportioned steam locomotives ever built.
Okay, but consider: the Milwaukee Road class F-7 Baltics. Those are more beautiful than even the 4449, in my opinion, though sadly none survived into preservation. So, in terms of preserved steam locomotives, yes, I agree with 4449 taking first place, followed closely by N&W 611
1:48 In late May 2022, I finally met Doyle McCormack, the retired UP Engineer, Chief Medical Officer of the Friends of SP 4449, now President of The Oregon Rail Heritage Center Foundation.
4449's one of my favorite steamers along with Big Boy 4014, and Norfolk and Western J class 611! The 611 does have the red skirting (striping) like 4449 have her Orange skirt (which is my favorite color)! In the 2006 excurion from Portland to Bend, I was there pacing 4449 along the Columbia River Gorge!
10:12 I remember this shot very well! Held on to sagebrush for 2.5 hours on that VERY steep slope waiting on this thing in 102 degrees temps. Dehydrated and had sun blisters on my arms from the sweat/heat. Called the trip off after that shot and never photographed it again. They were running almost five hours late here. Everyone around me was using four letter words to describe this disastrous trip and chase.
I have lifelong memories of this locomotive. I was four years old when I first saw the 4449 in 1958 when it was retired. My Grandmother lived half block from the tracks in Salem and remember that huge black machine 40 miles from retirement. Grandma told me to remember it because I might never see a steam train ever again. That started a lifelong obsession. I think I saw the 4449 as the Freedom Train several times. It must have been 1975 while being readied as the Bicentennial Freedom Train, the 4449 did a test run from Portland to Eugene. I went to a road in the valley that paralleled the railroad tracks for miles. I tried to match the speed and backed off at 80 mph. I wish I could remember the year, must have been late 80s or early 90s, my wife and I purchassed tickets on the first overnight excursion to Bend from Portland, the same route as showcased here. The Deschutes River Canyon is touted as the steepest (non cog) railroad tracks in the US. On the retun trip the 4449 stopped half way down the canyon to replace the brakes. Again at the bottom another brake replacement. Then steaming back to Portland. Then a number of years later we took another two day excursion from Portland to Spokane. Then the next day through the Cascades and through an incredibly long tunnel in the mountains to Tacoma and back to Portland. We drove to Sacramento for the last Railfaire in '99. So many steam locomotives from all over North America. Amazing... Every time it goes out, I try to go watch. There is a beauty to this giant steam belching machine that always inspires awe. Most years it will be dressed up for a short run from its home near OMSI to Oaks Amusement Park as a ChristmasTrain, just a few miles. Anyone in Portland can hear that amazing steam whistle, a sound burned into my memory since 1958. Love your well done video. Simply superb. Thank you.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! For years, many years ago, I booked passage on this magnificient train anytime it can through California and pretty much up to it being used for Disneys "TOUGH GUYS" i had been on every excursion! Even did the Louisiana Worlds Fair excursion leg from Los Angeles up through the famous san luis obispo horseshoe curve and through the tunnels of Cuesta Grade passing through Atascadero and Northward to Dunsmuir where I detrained to catch Amtrak back South. Unfortunately, that was the last stop for the steam portion as something went wrong with a piston so the venerable 4449 was escorted back into Portland via diesel help!!! The Daylight set so many records on her inaugural run from S.F. To L.A.!!! Fastest travel, most passengers, most meals served and many other firsts I can't recall right now!!
Living in Vancouver WA, I was dragged into the cult of train-chasing in the late 1970s by a rail-nut friend of mine because of my photography hobby. We chased this train down the coast to California several times, and we got some terrific photos. At that time, the 4449 was going to display events, so they assembled a train made up of only cars painted in the matching orange/red scheme of the engine - very impressive. The scenery along the route from Portland to Sacramento (the most common run) was and remains some of the finest in the world. It had few maintenance issues back then, but there was usually some issue that needed a fix along the way. Increases in costs to maintain, insurance issues, and a lessening of support from the SP over track usage all combined to lessen the usage and compromise maintenance after the 1980s, and I lost touch with the organization. Frankly, I'm a bit surprised to see this film assembled out of multiple runs from the 2010s. They are lucky if they get it up to running condition and out of the barn more than once a year, and short runs at that. I do not think they get the masses of volunteer support and funding that they once enjoyed. Those old guys are dying off pretty fast these days.
Well 4014 is heading to Portland next month and since 4449 ran on UP tracks with 844 it’s the only non-UP steam locomotive exception. They may allow 4449 and 4014 to doublehead and head up the Cascade mountains or even up through the Shasta Mountain Range on the former SP’s Shasta Route. 4449 returning to former home rails in decades while 4014 becomes the 1st 4000 Class Big Boy locomotive to travel and tackle several of SP’s grueling grades.
Right. The dopes managing that run nearly destroyed the engine.abusing it. It had to be towed back from that trip and spend years in the shop in Portland being totally disassembled and rebuilt before it could be run again. It had been sitting in a park rusting for decades before the 1976 trip, and they didn't do much but grease it and paint it before they before running it flat out for hundred of miles at a time. Dopes!
I was on the 2017 chase. Without a doubt, the WORST steam chase I’ve ever done from coast to coast. 10mph running for most of the trip due to overheated solid journal bearings. 100+ degree temps by midday. An absolutely miserable day. And the last time I’ll ever chase that infernal engine!
Seen this beautiful train In Durand, MI it stop to put on water and drop off the Amtrak engine. After that it was heading to Owosso for train festival.
Is this still an excursion? I've missed this locomotive everything I hear about it traveling. I used to live in Redmond OR and Portland now Eugene. I'd love to film it someday in action.
I miss Oregon born in Portland in 1956 I lived all over Oregon cuz my old man was an outlaw I lived with my aunt and uncle up in Tumalo on the high desert in an A-frame in about 1960 I lived in Bend with my aunt and uncle Mickey and Al Willman also in about 1970 and went to school I walked out the door in Band of the school for the last time in the 9th grade I used to see Hobo's on the railroad tracks cooking out boiling and drinking coffee out of homemade bean cans with a wire handle I worked for the US Forest Service in Sisters Oregon Wilderness Area but I also lived and went to school in California Utah lived and stayed in New Mexico with my wife and kids and camped and explored all around and wild places living on the road and was raised in Wisconsin on a dairy farm and went to school all over that place too yes I went to 15 different schools that I can still count on only two hands and then a third hand I was born into it it's been a rough ride I'm waiting for Jesus but you know it just occurred to me maybe Jesus is waiting for me get saved obey the Apostle Paul's command believe on the gospel of Jesus Christ if you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God that he died and was buried resurrected on the third day according to the scriptures you will be saved this is the only way you can be saved in the age of Grace saved by grace your faith is counted to you as righteousness !! declare it to God in the name of Jesus Christ and say Lord forgive me for all my sins in the blood of Jesus give me an eternal Heavenly home thank you Lord in Jesus name amen
Since it has the same livery number 4449 as the Spirit train they must have painted it back to the regular Daylight colors? I just asumed they would keep the red white and blue?
I chased this in 2017. It was a complete disaster of a trip with constant overheated bearings, temps outside over 100 degrees, and 10mph running from the Columbia all the way to Bend, OR. They got into town over six hours late. I swore I would NEVER chase that damned solid-bearing engine again. Worst steam chase I’ve ever done in 20+ years. The BNSF dispatcher was about ready to hang someone for all the delays that engine caused to the whole railroad.
Because the engineer and fireman stay seated while operating the locomotive, as it's an oil burner. So, the crew doesn't need to move around while the engine is in motion. Also, safety chains would most likely restrict access into the cab, which is kind of important for the crew of an operational steam locomotive.
It's simple: dynamic braking. Steam locomotives physically can't have dynamic braking, and it's required for most if not all mainline steam excursions, from what I remember, which is why a diesel is required.
The diesel is used for dynamic braking since steam locomotives don't have that feature and it relieves stress on the engine's actual brakes as well. It's also there for insurance reasons, since running steam solo is expensive and rare to do (Milwaukee Road 261 did two solo trips in 2016 and 2017 because of an engine shortage with Amtrak, so a diesel wasn't added for its trips) and the diesel is also there as head end power for the passenger cars and also as a helper just in case the 4449 or any steam locomotive has a mechanical issue while running
I think this was my grandfather's favorite train. He had an HO layout in his basement (he lived in Portland), and this train model was his pride and joy. Great memories! Thank you!
Well Portland does own it after all
its my favorite thats for sure
@@consisepepper73it was originated in California but then stopped working and then transferred to portland
This was the prettiest and best film i have ever seen about trains ever! That gorgeus locomotive with those fantastic looking cars in that absolutely wonderful invironment is just stunning! Thank´s a lot for the upload and cheers from Sweden!!
I have had the honor and privilege to see her a few times. A friend from the Netherlands sent me a video of her. Was good, but nothing is like seeing her up close and personal.
You think this is good. You should see her and, I think it is the 844 doing a double header in Tacoma WA. Look up double header 4449 and 844 Tacoma WA
Fantastic looking cars? I figure there are at least 9 different paint jobs, looks like SH_T.
What a truly Grand Lady 4449 is. Remarkable photography and presentation.
So proud of the men who care for and maintain her in Portland. A work of love! She is incredibly beautiful and impressive in person.
What a fantastic video! The GS-4 class of locomotives --especially the 4449, with her "Daylight" paint scheme--- were the most beautiful and perfectly proportioned steam locomotives ever built.
Okay, but consider: the Milwaukee Road class F-7 Baltics. Those are more beautiful than even the 4449, in my opinion, though sadly none survived into preservation. So, in terms of preserved steam locomotives, yes, I agree with 4449 taking first place, followed closely by N&W 611
1:48 In late May 2022, I finally met Doyle McCormack, the retired UP Engineer, Chief Medical Officer of the Friends of SP 4449, now President of The Oregon Rail Heritage Center Foundation.
I am fascinated with steam. This is really a beautiful engine.
Thanks for the memories. I grew up in Oregon. Saw the 4449. It was beautiful
This is an exquisit video. This beautyfull engine deserves such films. Thank you!!
4449's one of my favorite steamers along with Big Boy 4014, and Norfolk and Western J class 611! The 611 does have the red skirting (striping) like 4449 have her Orange skirt (which is my favorite color)! In the 2006 excurion from Portland to Bend, I was there pacing 4449 along the Columbia River Gorge!
That is a gorgeous machine. And those 4-8-4s I think had the best whistles--SP 4449, UP 844 and AT&SF 3751 all sound incredible.
Nice production, very well done and, narrated!
Really enjoyed this video. I miss seeing the Daylight on the mainline.
The daylight is such a beautiful and unique locomotive and the whistle sounds so powerful and fitting for it
Those CB&Q Streamlined cars make her look even better!
Best 4449 video I've seen 🙂👍
This was soooo awesome!! Thank you! And the horn on that engine is the most amazing ever!
10:12 I remember this shot very well! Held on to sagebrush for 2.5 hours on that VERY steep slope waiting on this thing in 102 degrees temps. Dehydrated and had sun blisters on my arms from the sweat/heat. Called the trip off after that shot and never photographed it again. They were running almost five hours late here. Everyone around me was using four letter words to describe this disastrous trip and chase.
Beautiful video!
4449 great video of the train great job
Thank you!
America’s most beautiful locomotive of all time.
Wow a great video. I personally love the daylight that is one of my favorite steam locomotives of all. Keep up the fantastic work.
Amazing video! The narration and video quality is top notch, well done!
I saw this locomotive in 1976. Thanks for the update.
Awesome video
I have lifelong memories of this locomotive. I was four years old when I first saw the 4449 in 1958 when it was retired. My Grandmother lived half block from the tracks in Salem and remember that huge black machine 40 miles from retirement. Grandma told me to remember it because I might never see a steam train ever again. That started a lifelong obsession. I think I saw the 4449 as the Freedom Train several times.
It must have been 1975 while being readied as the Bicentennial Freedom Train, the 4449 did a test run from Portland to Eugene. I went to a road in the valley that paralleled the railroad tracks for miles. I tried to match the speed and backed off at 80 mph.
I wish I could remember the year, must have been late 80s or early 90s, my wife and I purchassed tickets on the first overnight excursion to Bend from Portland, the same route as showcased here. The Deschutes River Canyon is touted as the steepest (non cog) railroad tracks in the US. On the retun trip the 4449 stopped half way down the canyon to replace the brakes. Again at the bottom another brake replacement. Then steaming back to Portland.
Then a number of years later we took another two day excursion from Portland to Spokane. Then the next day through the Cascades and through an incredibly long tunnel in the mountains to Tacoma and back to Portland.
We drove to Sacramento for the last Railfaire in '99. So many steam locomotives from all over North America. Amazing...
Every time it goes out, I try to go watch. There is a beauty to this giant steam belching machine that always inspires awe.
Most years it will be dressed up for a short run from its home near OMSI to Oaks Amusement Park as a ChristmasTrain, just a few miles. Anyone in Portland can hear that amazing steam whistle, a sound burned into my memory since 1958.
Love your well done video. Simply superb. Thank you.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! For years, many years ago, I booked passage on this magnificient train anytime it can through California and pretty much up to it being used for Disneys "TOUGH GUYS" i had been on every excursion! Even did the Louisiana Worlds Fair excursion leg from Los Angeles up through the famous san luis obispo horseshoe curve and through the tunnels of Cuesta Grade passing through Atascadero and Northward to Dunsmuir where I detrained to catch Amtrak back South. Unfortunately, that was the last stop for the steam portion as something went wrong with a piston so the venerable 4449 was escorted back into Portland via diesel help!!! The Daylight set so many records on her inaugural run from S.F. To L.A.!!! Fastest travel, most passengers, most meals served and many other firsts I can't recall right now!!
Nice composition on the 2nd Willow Creek Br crossing.
Daylight is my second favorite locomotive ❤🎉
Thank you so much for this video !
Living in Vancouver WA, I was dragged into the cult of train-chasing in the late 1970s by a rail-nut friend of mine because of my photography hobby. We chased this train down the coast to California several times, and we got some terrific photos. At that time, the 4449 was going to display events, so they assembled a train made up of only cars painted in the matching orange/red scheme of the engine - very impressive. The scenery along the route from Portland to Sacramento (the most common run) was and remains some of the finest in the world. It had few maintenance issues back then, but there was usually some issue that needed a fix along the way. Increases in costs to maintain, insurance issues, and a lessening of support from the SP over track usage all combined to lessen the usage and compromise maintenance after the 1980s, and I lost touch with the organization. Frankly, I'm a bit surprised to see this film assembled out of multiple runs from the 2010s. They are lucky if they get it up to running condition and out of the barn more than once a year, and short runs at that. I do not think they get the masses of volunteer support and funding that they once enjoyed. Those old guys are dying off pretty fast these days.
Glad to see it running the tracks
Lovely
4449 is certainly one of the more Colorful Locomotives Out there
Keep the trains coming!
Had the opportunity to ride behind her from Portland OR to Bend OR 10/21 & 10/22 , 2012 !
Please take 4449 back to LA. I would love to see it. I have never seen a steam engine.
Nicely done !
I love the 4449 stame locomotive southern pacific and I’m a RailRoad fan and a Openation Lifesaver Volunteer in the Northeast Ohio
These were the good days of railfanning. Amtrak doesn’t do steam excursions anymore
Well 4014 is heading to Portland next month and since 4449 ran on UP tracks with 844 it’s the only non-UP steam locomotive exception. They may allow 4449 and 4014 to doublehead and head up the Cascade mountains or even up through the Shasta Mountain Range on the former SP’s Shasta Route. 4449 returning to former home rails in decades while 4014 becomes the 1st 4000 Class Big Boy locomotive to travel and tackle several of SP’s grueling grades.
I remember that Engine from the Bicentennial in 76. In Tucson Arizona.
Right. The dopes managing that run nearly destroyed the engine.abusing it. It had to be towed back from that trip and spend years in the shop in Portland being totally disassembled and rebuilt before it could be run again. It had been sitting in a park rusting for decades before the 1976 trip, and they didn't do much but grease it and paint it before they before running it flat out for hundred of miles at a time. Dopes!
southern pacific 4449 is my favorite train
grate trip video of this excursion
I live inthe Columbia River Gorge near Stevenson, wish I had know about this to have seen it
I like to see you do a video of the Union Pacific’s Salt Lake Subdivision from Ogden, Utah to Salt Lake City, Utah.
Wow That’s wonderful 😍
Id even take her home to meet folks..do no where id park the dam thang but we'd go😊
I think Doyle said the main rods at 70 are going back in fourth 11,000 times a min i think..
Damn... I can't wait for this to be released as $35 DLC on train simulator!
Had to check this out! Was recommended by none other than
Danny Harmon!! I all ready Sub. 👍
I was on the 2017 chase. Without a doubt, the WORST steam chase I’ve ever done from coast to coast. 10mph running for most of the trip due to overheated solid journal bearings. 100+ degree temps by midday. An absolutely miserable day. And the last time I’ll ever chase that infernal engine!
Seen this beautiful train In Durand, MI it stop to put on water and drop off the Amtrak engine. After that it was heading to Owosso for train festival.
For those who are interested there is an old documentary on it around the
Late 1980’s
Sp 4449 está soando o present-day whistle igual a voz da vovó Alice
Realmente una belleza de Locomotora, gracias
It's a damn shame that we hardly ever get to see a steam engine highballing it on the main line anymore.
Sp 4449 goes to columbia river gorge july 4th train special
Sp 4449 along for columbia river gorge via deschutes river canyon
So ein geiler Zug - Was für ein Lokomotive !!!! Wonderful
Sp 4449 está soando o 49's new whistle igual a voz da tia Malurcia
I’m reading the comments and no one has mentioned her appearance in Tough Guys!
U have to see daylight when they find she was abandoned and someone find daylight and fix her search it up
I would rather ride on this train than to watch it on video.
Sp 4449 blows it's 49's new whistle 21:45
Sp 4449 going to wishram via columbia river gorge
Espee lives!
With the price of diesel fuel going through the roof maybe they should bring the steam engines back full service! Freight the passenger!
Sp 4449 está soando o np z6 challenger whistle igual a voz da tia Alice
I was on the freedom train in 1976 in oakland calif
Sp 4449 going to deschutes river cayon
Is this still an excursion? I've missed this locomotive everything I hear about it traveling. I used to live in Redmond OR and Portland now Eugene. I'd love to film it someday in action.
It is.
I have drew a picture of a Southern pacific train in steam, the SP daylight is one of them
Sp 4449 2011 2012&2017
BNSF is allowing Steam Excursions on its Tracks.AT&SF 2926 Should be running pretty soon
Can anyone say if, at 13:30, when the train is slowly coming into a station, the center "headlight" is rotating?
Yes it’s rotating. It’s called a Mars light. They were used on steam and Diesel engines.
I miss Oregon born in Portland in 1956 I lived all over Oregon cuz my old man was an outlaw I lived with my aunt and uncle up in Tumalo on the high desert in an A-frame in about 1960 I lived in Bend with my aunt and uncle Mickey and Al Willman also in about 1970 and went to school I walked out the door in Band of the school for the last time in the 9th grade I used to see Hobo's on the railroad tracks cooking out boiling and drinking coffee out of homemade bean cans with a wire handle I worked for the US Forest Service in Sisters Oregon Wilderness Area but I also lived and went to school in California Utah lived and stayed in New Mexico with my wife and kids and camped and explored all around and wild places living on the road and was raised in Wisconsin on a dairy farm and went to school all over that place too yes I went to 15 different schools that I can still count on only two hands and then a third hand I was born into it it's been a rough ride I'm waiting for Jesus but you know it just occurred to me maybe Jesus is waiting for me get saved obey the Apostle Paul's command believe on the gospel of Jesus Christ if you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God that he died and was buried resurrected on the third day according to the scriptures you will be saved this is the only way you can be saved in the age of Grace saved by grace your faith is counted to you as righteousness !! declare it to God in the name of Jesus Christ and say Lord forgive me for all my sins in the blood of Jesus give me an eternal Heavenly home thank you Lord in Jesus name amen
To bad you can't show the Montana Daylight. It is no longer in service
Sp 4449 going to bend or
Where are the water stops?
Since it has the same livery number 4449 as the Spirit train they must have painted it back to the regular Daylight colors? I just asumed they would keep the red white and blue?
Where is the Daylight now?
The DLO is there for braking.
STELLAR JOB!!
What is that yellow light on the front of the locomotive mean?
Is it some kind of early safety light?
Yes. It’s a Mars light. Saw it more on Diesel engines in the 40s and 50s
I chased this in 2017. It was a complete disaster of a trip with constant overheated bearings, temps outside over 100 degrees, and 10mph running from the Columbia all the way to Bend, OR. They got into town over six hours late. I swore I would NEVER chase that damned solid-bearing engine again. Worst steam chase I’ve ever done in 20+ years. The BNSF dispatcher was about ready to hang someone for all the delays that engine caused to the whole railroad.
Why don't the doorways on the cab have safety chains? Surely there have been incidents of crewmen falling out!
Because the engineer and fireman stay seated while operating the locomotive, as it's an oil burner. So, the crew doesn't need to move around while the engine is in motion. Also, safety chains would most likely restrict access into the cab, which is kind of important for the crew of an operational steam locomotive.
Why did the number boards under the stack say 925?
I believe that was the Amtrak symbol for that special.
@@7ideaproductions Oh right that makes sense because Amtrak used to Sponsor the 4449. Thanks for the reply!
I still don't understand why this train, or all the featured steam locomotives, need a diesel engine as part of the train.
It's simple: dynamic braking. Steam locomotives physically can't have dynamic braking, and it's required for most if not all mainline steam excursions, from what I remember, which is why a diesel is required.
The diesel is used for dynamic braking since steam locomotives don't have that feature and it relieves stress on the engine's actual brakes as well. It's also there for insurance reasons, since running steam solo is expensive and rare to do (Milwaukee Road 261 did two solo trips in 2016 and 2017 because of an engine shortage with Amtrak, so a diesel wasn't added for its trips) and the diesel is also there as head end power for the passenger cars and also as a helper just in case the 4449 or any steam locomotive has a mechanical issue while running
🗽🗽🗽👍👍👍
What's the purpose of the top headlight that swings around?
You can see it coming before you hear it.
👌👌👌👌
Y does she have an Amtrak companion?
HEP
@@voidjavelin23 what?
@@brianrigsby7900 head end power, literlly just prime mover can be a a hotel generator for the cars
Is this narration done by Danny Harmon by any chance?
The narrator’s voice sounds a little higher than Danny’s.
😎👍
🚂❤️😎👍
That Genesis locomotive ruins the look. Can’t it trail behind a few miles?
You cant unfortunately as their in the FRA standard
Simply put she's a lady thats it nothing eals said about the matter.. 😆 steam can be a lot of thangs but she's a Lady...
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
great but should have got the old girl up to at least 90mph
If we had more steam engines on the tracks and dump the diesel engines.!!!!!!!!!!!! Diesel engine pollute.
Tree hugger
Erm it's a Southern Pacific daylight four thousand four forty Nine!!!!!!!! Angry 😡
.
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