Seeing the 4449 (full size) locomotive--updated with pics!

[Rene Schweitzer]

As anyone been able to see the 4449 locomotive as it travels across the States? It traveled from Oregon to Michigan for a festival and is now making its way back, with stops along the way. Last night it was at the Amtrak station in Milwaukee. DH and I were able to go and see it. It had not been in Milwaukee since 1975.

 Very impressive engine. I urge any of you who can to go. They have a web site: http://www.sp4449.com/

 

Below: DH next to his favorite locomotive



[g. gage]

Hi Rene thanks for the photos and information. I’ve lived within sight and sound of the Southern Pacific most of my life. 4449 and cousins are also my favorites. What a treat.

 

Have fun, Rob

 

[ztribob]

 Hi Rene,

I missed it when it came through Kalamazoo, MI.  It was supposed to come through Sunday morning about 11:30am.  I assumed that I had missed it.  Come to find out it was delayed and didn't come through until about 4:30pm.  Rats.  And then I missed it on the way back also, but I knew I would miss it that day.

Bob in Kalamazoo

 

[Rene Schweitzer]

Bob, too bad you missed it. It's an impressive machine, one that photographs just can't capture. I tried taking videos with my camera but I later found out they didn't take. *$&%# I was pretty disappointed, since I can't recreate the moment.

[vsmith]

Seen 4449 at Union Station here in LA a few years ago, also going thru Tehachapi but it was drifting down so not much "smoke and fury". Also saw UP 844 thundering thru Cajon Canyon going uphill, went by our spot about 15 feet away from us at about 50mph going full bore up the canyon, ground shaking- dust flying... that was very impressive!

[ttrigg]

What happened? You should have gotten them to let you get a pic in the driver seat. You credentials should have been good enough to at least sit in the seat. (just color me green with envy)

[spikejones52002]

 I shot a lot of photos and video First in Hinsdale and then Michigan City and last Owosso.

When I attempt to down load them into a Forum from Photo Bucket. All I seen was a white box with a red "X".

I am still up tight about not being able to receive any info about the return trip until it was in Chicago.

[Great Western]

 The visit of the lovely loco has caused a great buzz in IL, WI and MI and elsewhere I guess.  I have seen so many pics of it everyplace I go (Fora, Yahoo groups and some personal web pages).

It certainly has made a lot of railfans happy. [tup]

[wjstix]

I got to see it going both ways thru Newport, MN (just south of Saint Paul). Worked out great, the Saturday morning it left Minneapolis going east was during the Northern Pacific Ry Historical Society convention in St.Paul. On the way back last Monday afternoon we brought the grandson along (almost 3) and he loved it...though he loved seeing the big trucks that rolled by too.

[SP Trains]

Oct 13th - 20th 2009 fall trip. Minneapolis - Portland

Hot *** $199.00 for day trips, $1999.00 for the whole trip

 Well won't be planning on doing that in my life time.

[EMPIRE II LINE]

We never get to see nothing descent like that run through our area, although I do have both the MTH Proto-1 and K-Line TMCC versions of the 4449 in three rail "O" scale, as well as a number of sets of the passenger cars also. Thanks Rene, for sharing the pictures.

Byron 

[GearDrivenSteam]

Yeah, the south lost, remember. We're still treated like losers.

[steamdonkey]

i wish I was born rich instead of good-looking. what a great way to spend two grand of surplus funds! (repeat first line)

[Ray Dunakin]

The few big steamers in operation these days never come to San Diego, but I did get to see 4449 once when I was visiting my dad. It was totally unexpected... we were driving along the highway somewhere north of Portland, and suddenly there it was, coming towards us on the tracks parallel to the highway! I just barely had time to get out my camera and snap one shot as it went by.

[spikejones52002]

 just about the same thing happened to me back in 1985.

I was returning from my first vacation  out West.

George  Town Loop, Silverton Durango, Cumber Toltec.

I was driving down a HIWay and heard a Steam whistle.

I seen cars parked along the road. I heard the whistle again.

I parked and jumped out. I connected my Video camera to the recorder and ran to the bridge.

U.P. 844 came around the bend. 

I followed a man I met there to the next view ( a station stop).

I lost contact witht he man and train.

I continued driving "E" and came upon a sige that adveritized "Ghost Squadron".

To take a break from driving. I exited.

I drove into a large Rail Road demonstration.

I could only take time to take a few photos.

LONG lost.

[CAZEPHYR]

 

 

 

 

Yes I got to see it leaving Portland.  Very nice.

 

 

After the service stop July 3, 2009.