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SP #4449 was built in May of 1941 by Lima Locomotive Works in Lima, Ohio.
Southern Pacific's Premier train, known as the Daylight, operated out
of Los Angeles to San Francisco, CA and El Paso, TX, as well as out of
Oakland to Bakersfield, CA and Portland, OR. The 4449, a "GS-4" was
built in 1941 in Lima, Ohio and began running the Daylights between Los
Angeles and San Francisco, which was the route it ran for the majority
of its lifespan on the SP.
During the early-to-mid 50s, the 4449 had its skirts removed and was
painted black to continue running passenger and occaisional freight
trains, primarily the San Joaquin Valley route. It was based out
of Bakersfield, CA until its retirement in 1958.
Southern Pacific donated the locomotive to the City of Portland, where
it was put on display at Oaks Park along with other preserved
locomotives. No one thought it would run again, and over the 16 years,
what once was a shiny black locomotive became a faded, rusty eyesore.
In 1974, the American Freedom Train Association conducted a survey of
steam locomotives across America to decide which locomotive would be
restored to pull the Bicentennial Train. 4449 was ultimately chosen --
partially due to the efforts of volunteer Jack Holst who kept the locomotive
lubricated to prevent rust damage in its bearings. The 4449 was towed
from the park to the Burlington Northern's Hoyt Street Roundhouse (next
to Portland Union Station), where it was rebuilt.
Once its restoration was complete, the 4449 went to Chicago to meet and
pull the 1976 Bicentennial American Freedom Train that traveled across
the United States. This journey made the 4449 the most traveled
steam locomotive in the United States!
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Since running the American Freedom Train, the volunteers of the 4449
continued to maintain and operate the locomotive, allowing the 4449 to
run more excursions, attend railfairs, and make special appearances at
such events.
The SP 4449 currently resides in the Brooklyn Roundhouse, leased by the
Union Pacific Railroad, and the future doesn't look bright. As it
stands today, we could be served with a 30-day eviction notice when the
Brooklyn Yard is to expand making way for more intermodal traffic.
The Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation was formed by seven non-profit
railroad restoration groups who are actively involved with Portland's
three steam locomotives, the OR&N 197, SP&S 700, and SP 4449.
ORHF's mission is to build a new home for these locomotives that have
gone over 50 years without a permanent home. See ORHF.org for more information.
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