Southern Pacific 4449 - Wikipedia
The 4449 pulled the American Freedom train for a total of 82 of 138 stops, in 38 states, for the bicentennial event. After the Freedom Tour ended, No. 4449 pulled an Amtrak special, the Amtrak Transcontinental Steam Excursion during 1977.
The 1975 - 1976 American Freedom Train
4449 was the locomotive of choice to pull the AFT through the west and south. The locomotive's clean lines, large size, and pulling power (especially at speed) made it the perfect candidate for the AFT.
The 1975 - 1976 American Freedom Train
Former Southern Pacific 4-8-4 "Daylight" Steam Locomotive # 4449 was removed from Oaks Park for restoration to pull the AFT. (Retired 2 Oct 1957, placed in the park 24 April 1958.) The restoration took longer than was hoped and the AFT was in …
SP 4449 - History
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; its operations are currently based at the Brooklyn roundhouse in Portland, where it is ...
SP 4449 - American Freedom Train
On January 14-16, 1977, the 4449 pulled Amtrak's first foray into steam excursions - a short trip with a nine-car train from Miami to Birmingham. Shortly thereafter 4449 led a Amtrak Transcontinental Steam Excursion from Birmingham to Portland, OR, arriving home in spectacular fashion after nearly two years on the road!
Southern Pacific 4-8-4 #4449: A Long And Storied Career
During the 1970's, a very tired and neglected locomotive, located at Portland's Oaks Park (where it had been left entirely to the elements) was chosen to lead the American Freedom Train for the 1976 bicentennial. Southern Pacific #4449 poses for a night photo shoot in Tacoma, Washington on June 23, 2011. Drew Jacksich photo.
The 1975 - 1976 American Freedom Train
AFT Locomotive #4449: Doubtless the most photographed locomotive in the world, the former Southern Pacific GS-4 is the property of the City of Portland Oregon. It was restored specifically to pull the American Freedom Train. Now back in Daylight orange, red and black, the locomotive is today under the care of the Friends of SP 4449.