The 4449 Westbound Trek - October 13-20

History of SP "Daylight" #4449

In the late 1930’s the Southern Pacific Railroad introduced a fleet of fast day trains between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The railroad named them the “Daylights” and they quickly became some of the most famous passenger trains in the world. The striking red, orange, black and silver paint scheme soon earned them the title of “The World’s Most Beautiful Trains”.

In an era when other railroads were experimenting with diesel locomotives, the SP tried a different approach and ordered from the Lima Locomotive Works a fleet of streamlined GS type steam engines. The 4-8-4-wheel arrangement was considered by many to be the optimum type for heavy, high-speed passenger trains.

The popularity of the trains soon had SP ordering more trains sets and locomotives. In May 1941, Lima produced the last type of GS-4 locomotives. Included in the batch was #4449. Little did anyone at that time realize the engine would become one of the most famous steam engines in the world.

SP ran the final steam powered “Daylight” train on January 7, 1955 with the last of the steam engines being used in freight and commuter rail service. In 1956, #4449 was placed in storage at Bakersfield, California. In October 1957 the Southern Pacific donated #4449 to the city of Portland where it was placed in Oaks Park in southeast Portland for an eventual transportation museum.

The engine remained in obscurity until December 1974 when it was removed from Oaks Park, taken to the Burlington Northern roundhouse in Northwest Portland and in six months restored to operating condition. For the next two years #4449, now painted red-white and blue, pulled the Bi-Centennial American Freedom Train around the United States. Enroute, an estimated 25 million people saw the locomotive.

At the end of its epic journey around the US, the engine returned to Portland and was placed in storage at the Union Pacific’s Albina Yard. However, in 1981, engine was moved to the Southern Pacific roundhouse in southeast Portland where the engine was once again returned to operations. It was repainted into its present colors and pulled an excursion train to Sacramento to take place in the opening ceremonies of the California State Railroad Museum.

Since then, #4449 has traveled to New Orleans and return, took place in the Washington State Winter Gamed in Wenatchee and returned to Sacramento for the 10 anniversary of the California State Railroad Museum. It has taken part in the annual convention of National Railway Historical Society in both San Jose and Portland. It has also seen excursion service in Oregon, Washington and Montana. The engine was featured in the movie “Tough Guys” and had a bit part in “Come See the Paradise” The engine serves as an 800,000-pound goodwill ambassador for the city of Portland.

Visit the SP 4449 Website for more information - Click Here

Buy your tickets today! The train will sell out with the popularity of Fall Colors combined with the majesty of the Rockies.