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We got up at 6:00 AM and were all in the car at 6:30 AM for the drive to the ex Southern Pacific Brooklyn Yard. We took 82nd Street south to Holgate Street and when we crossed the bridge over the yard we got our first view of the SP 4449 and train. Jim parked the car before we walked up on the bridge. This was at 6:50 AM
The SP 4449 and train.
SP 4449 on the turntable.
View of the complete train set.
NKP RSD5 324.
SP 4449 and train
The Union Pacific then got busy, first came this northbound.
A second UP northbound.
Cascade Talgo 500 came north next.
A while later, a former patched SP switcher.
Next a UP southbound freight and that was followed by another northbound UP freight.
SP 4449 ready to move finally at 9:58 AM.
SP 4449 backing up starting its trip to Sherwood.
SP 4449 now moving forward down a yard lead.
SP 4449 stopped to throw a switch to continue through the yard.
SP 4449 at rest before it pulled up.
SP 4449 now has gone under the Holgate Bridge.
SP 4449 moving south slowly.
A Great Northern Caboose.
Great Northern F-3A 274.
The SP 4449 moving to the south end of the yard. It was now 10:20 AM and we got in the car and drove to Lake Oswego where we found a nice grade crossing among the million dollars homes on North Shore Drive. Our presence there attracted all kinds of attention with people stopping to asking us what was coming. By that time at 12:05 PM, we had a large crowd waiting for the SP 4449. When the SP 4449 whistle was finally heard the crowd was excited. A few minutes later the SP 4449 came into view and there was a smile on every face, both young and old!
SP 4449 and train passed the North Shore Drive grade crossing. Satisfied with our results, we drove to Oaks Park for our next steam train encounter of the day.
Spokane, Portland and Seattle 700 Train Ride.
We pulled into the Oaks Amusement Park parking lot and then walked across the street to buy our tickets for the SP&S 700 1 PM Trip. Chris bought mine plus a speeder Tickets for all four of us at 2 PM. Needing a bathroom, I walked into the Amusement Park where I found a miniature train.
The miniature train that runs through the Amusement Park. I walked over to wait for the return of the 12 PM SP&S 700.
The SP&S 700 rolled south through the loading area. The train had the SP&S 4-8-4 700, PRPX 9477 Coach/Combine ex Via Rail, Great Northern Empire Builder 1210 Plum Creek PRPX 80025 and Samtrak Caboose/Open Air Car 900. The SP&S 700 then backed the train into the loading area. The 12 PM passengers unloaded before the 1 PM passengers boarded. Jim and I got cupola seats in the caboose.
The SP&S 700 train started by backing north.
We ran along Oaks Bottom Lake.
Looking north down our route with a bike path running along side.
Oaks Bottom Lake.
The SP&S 700 pushing our train north.
View looking down our route.
Our train about to run under the Ross Island Bridge.
We ran to the north end of our route at SE Taggat Street.
The SP&S 700 then started back south towards Oaks Park.
Back under the Ross Island Bridge heading south.
Ross Island Bridge.
The SP&S 700 took the big curve on our route today.
The Willamette River.
Straight running along the Bike Path.
Returning by the Speeders and the loading area.
Oaks Amusement Park.
Running to the south end of our route.
Chris Parker in the cupola.
Returning to the loading area. We arrived back and then unloaded to get some pictures of SP&S 700.
SP&S 4-8-4 700 between trips.
Speeder Ride
After the SP&S 700 left for its 2 PM run, it was time for our speeder ride south With Kevin Novack.
Our trip started with us backing out of the siding.
Our speeder now out on the line will pull south after all the others are out of the siding and the switch thrown.
Bob was in the speeder in front of me.
Heading out onto more new trackage today.
Crossing SE Umatilla Street.
Crossing SE 14th Street.
Nearing the end of our speeder route.
Kevin Novak’s Speeder
At the south end of our route, I was switched to Rob Baur’s Speeder.
Passing some freight cars.
Running north.
Back to the loading area. I thanked both speeder operators then went to get the SP&S 700 returning.
SP&S 700 running by the loading area.
The engineer of the SP&S 700.
I walked under the tracks for these views of the SP&S 700.
On the way back to the car, one more view of the SP&S 700.
We drove back to where I saw old streetcar tracks in the street. From there we drove back to Lake Oswego and bought tickets for the 4 PM run north on the Willamette Shore Trolley. Chris and I walked over to the Tillamook Restaurant for some food to go and ate it minutes before our trip was to start.
Willamette Shore Trolley Trip
We all boarded Portland Streetcar 813. I had ridden this line but for my other three friends it would be their first trip. I rode this line and documented it in my Lewis and Clark Explorer Story on my web site. We passed the car house before passing through that nice dark and cool tunnel. I was in relax mode on this trip.
The curved trestle on the line.
Jim and Chris at the now shorter end of the route.
The Portland Streetcar 813 at the north end of the line. We all reboarded and had a relaxing trip back to Lake Oswego.
The SP 4449 at Sherwood
After the trolley ride, we drove out to Sherwood to see the SP 4449. The activities were over before we arrived and we had no problems finding the SP 4449.
SP 4449 at Sherwood. I then went into the SP 4449 cab.
The SP Sunset Symbol on the wooden floor of the SP 4449.
The SP 4449 Engineer Controls.
The SP 4449 Firemen Controls.
The middle view inside the SP 4449.
Me in the Engineer’s Seat of the SP 4449.
One last view of the SP 4449 at Sherwood.
SP 4449 Builders Plate. We then went to Shari Restaurant for dinner. After dinner Chris realized that he had left his jacket back at the SP&S 700. They went into a Baskin Robbins for ice cream while I planned a route back to Oaks Park. We drove back which didn’t take all that long to get there.
A few more views of the great SP&S 700. I found Chris’ jacket at the boarding area lost and found. We all returned to the Days Inn for our last night in Portland. Cal State Fullerton beat Missouri 9-1 to advance to the College World Series. I wrote today’s story before calling it a night.
