American Freedom Train 4449 Steam Train

Southern Pacific 4-8-4 4449 "Daylight" began its second life in preservation in 1975 when the engine was selected to be one of three locomotives to pull the American Freedom Train from America’s Bicentennial. This video focuses on the engine running in California during the summer and winter of 1975.
The red, white, and blue GS-4 is seen heading east over Donner Pass to meet the American Freedom Train in Chicago after being restored in Portland, OR. The 4449 is then seen returning over Donner Pass with the Freedom Train in November of 1975, and then touring around the San Francisco Bay Area the following month.
After the Freedom Train tour ended in Miami, FL, the 4449 headed up and Amtrak sponsored cross-country steam excursion back to Portland in 1977. After a couple of views of the engine retracing it’s original Daylight route in California, it is onto 1981 and the first run of the engine in its original Daylight colors of red, orange, and black colors from its in service days. This trip marked the return of the Daylight for excursion service, a tradition that has now continued for well over 40 years.
This 8mm movie film was shot by Michael Spolini, Sr. and was provided by his son Michael Spolini Jr. and was transferred by Hunter Lohse.

[@JOEMAMA_534]

Very awesome. I love the use of Brad Miller recordings here

[@thomasavensjr.2790]

SP locomotive 4449 looked spectacular in the "American Freedom Train" paint scheme during the events of 1975-76, and was later repainted in this same scheme in 2002-2003 right after the 9/11 terrorism attacks. I am glad that locomotive 4449 was preserved and was restored back to operating condition and still hauls excursion trains today.

[@AhmearClayIombo-dj6di]

I Love America Freedom Train!

[@kptrains]

Great to see the footage of 4449!

[@wolfgangpfeilergartenbahnd6530]

An interesting historical video about the American Freedom Train. Thank you for showing me

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

Glad you enjoyed

[@nathancorcoran5347]

I hope one day to see Southern Pacific 4449. I have seen another steam locomotive that pulled the American Freedom Train which was Texas & Pacific 610.

[@FabioSilva-mt9wr]

Aft 4449 está soando o ATSF 6 chime whistle igual a voz da priminha alicinha

[@seymoarsalvage]

2:32 it used it's horn! You're chum! lol

[@JOEMAMA_534]

“If I want to hear a f***ing air horn, I’ll get on a diesel and run it!”

[@markcinque7011]

Oh,Boy😃my Grandmom Faith Reckley Munson has told me stories about this Train before, 3:47

[@FabioSilva-mt9wr]

I Love the air horn

[@FabioSilva-mt9wr]

Aft 4449 blows it's ATSF 6 chime whistle used in 1974-77

[@northpennvalleysteamrailroad]

Cool 😎

[@FabioSilva-mt9wr]

Aft 4449 goes to Southern alabama in 1976

[@FabioSilva-mt9wr]

American freedom train #4449

[@FabioSilva-mt9wr]

Aft 4449 está soando o SP&S 700's cracked/current/modified igual a voz das vozes tia Marlucia/vovó joaninha/tia Mirian/tia Solange/tia leidinha/prima aline & cunhada Angelica

[@FabioSilva-mt9wr]

Aft 4449 in 1975-79

[@SimonTog]

Nice video :)

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

Thanks!

[@FabioSilva-mt9wr]

Aft 4449's step top whistle

[@FabioSilva-mt9wr]

Aft 4449 blows it's SP&S 700's cracked/current/modified whistles & SP&S challenger 911 regular whistle

[@FabioSilva-mt9wr]

Aft 4449 pulls freedom train Southbound to alabama

[@FabioSilva-mt9wr]

Aft 4449 coming through to miami

[@kingofthemonsters3712]

It was repainted in that livery in 2002 to honor the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks

[@FabioSilva-mt9wr]

Aft 4449 in bay to san Francisco

[@brianfalzon6739]

The AFT is returning in 2026.

[@JOEMAMA_534]

That is debatable

[@FabioSilva-mt9wr]

Aft 4449 going to donner pass