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Unless otherwise specified, all pics are taken with a Digital Camera. * |
With the 4449 (2002 version) |
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I hadn't originally planned on chasing the 4449
on this trip, seeing as how I basically had done that four years ago when
the 4449 was painted in Daylight colors. It was a simple case of assuming
too much, and I thought for sure the 4449 would be painted back into Orange
and Black after a extended stint in basic black, much like many railfans
have long clamored for (I'm with the crowd that thinks that paint takes
a back seat to seeing the 4449 venture into new territory, for new reasons).
But at the very first notice that the 4449 would be painted back into the
original American Freedom train colors from the 1976 Bi-Centennial Celebration,
I changed my mind. I was not lucky enough to witness the 1976 version,
so I knew I had to see the 2002 version. The reason was even more urgent
in that the 4449 isn't likely to operate for the foreseeable future until
insurance rates come back into line (much to do with the 9-11 terror attack
and the continued threat of more). After getting a minimal amount of sleep,
I got up on the morning of Saturday, March 23rd, 2002. I was on the road
by 4:30 from my North Idaho home heading for the Columbia Gorge.
The early departure gave me plenty of time. I met up with a longtime railfan buddy of mine at the north end of the Hood River bridge. We were debating where to go for photos, I was kinda leaning toward the area just east of Cooks, while my friend was eager to try the spot at the Lyle rest stop along Hwy 14. I guess we had talked a bit longer than I realized, for the matter had been decided when I noticed a plume of steam downriver near the vicinity of Cooks. We hopped into our cars and drove east toward Lyle (with enough of a lead we didn't push the speed limit much). Thankfully the sun was out at Lyle and it allowing for this terrific scene. |
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After a quick stop in The Dalles to fill up on supplies and refreshments, I drove to the area near the mouth of the Deschutes River. After several minutes of climbing around scouting the hillside, I found a ideal spot on a 20' wide ledge between a drop-off and the tracks where I could take great photos without being directly in someone's view. Better yet I was the only one to figure out this spot, and had it all to myself. There were several people above me that, as I was later to find out, had their photos ruined by the helicopters chasing the special. In this view of the train exiting the tunnel between Moody and OT Junction, a number of railfans can be seen on the adjacent Hwy 30. |
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Climbing hard up the grade, we see something that was a rare occurrence in the 4449 excursions of the last few years, big plumes of steam and smoke. Even having to contend with the early spring weather, it's hard to beat a steam locomotive showing you what it's all about. shortly the train will hold the main at Moody to let three northbound trains by, a BNSF work train, a UP Bend local (with three geeps, must of been a big train that day), and a BNSF manifest. |
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One of the more well know features on the Oregon Trunk line in the Deschutes river Canyon is the Twin Bridges north of Shear's Falls. Here we see the train exiting the tunnel between the bridges and on the south bridge. |
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Opposing rail traffic remained strong at Maupin when the 4449 again held the main and let two more northbounds. This time a BNSF manifest in the hole and a Matson Container train. Here the 4449 and the container train go head-to-head. |
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Climbing out of South Junction up the grade toward Gateway. I was expecting the 4449 to be creeping up the grade at about 10 or 15mph, a speed at which I could easily get one or two more photos of the train before Madras. So I was absolutely shocked to see the 4449 come blasting up the grade at track speed. |
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When I first arrived here the sun was shining brightly on this location (Trout Creek Trestle) and it looked absolutely spectacular, by that was at least 15 minutes before the train arrived. None-the-less, I'm still quite pleased with the photo. |
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As mentioned before, I was quite a ways behind leaving Gateway (traffic in Madras wouldn't help my situation any either), but luckily some speed restrictions between Culver and the Crooked River Gorge allowed me enough time to get into position. The crowd at the Crooked River Gorge was unbelievable, numbering many hundreds of people. It was mixture of Railfans and locals who came out to see the train. I'm sure, like myself, this was a must have photo for just about everyone. |
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After the crowds and rains had subsided, and the 4449 is receiving some final care for the day beside the new Bend depot. There was ample opportunity for nighttime exposures. |
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Dawn came all too early this day, but that wasn't about to keep me in bed, there was a steam locomotive to chase. My first choice of location had less to do with scenery and more to do with sentimental value. For this spot just north of Bend (just beyond Cooley Rd. along Hwy 97.) was my old stomping grounds as a kid. My old neighbor hood was a little more than a stone's throw away. Here were I witnessed so many green SD40-2's and similarly green cabooses, I needed to get a photo of a much different beast. Much has changed, and the area is much more "urban" than when I lived there. I guess it also helped that light-wise, this was also the best spot between Bend and Redmond. But what a beautiful day it was, and the 4449 made a triumphant showing. |
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I avoided the Crooked River Gorge on this day, correctly presuming that the northwest direction of the track would put the sun almost in line with the rails. But just beyond the bridge the track swings back to the northeast slowly coming closer to Hwy 97. What a great view it was with the 4449 steaming by in front of cloud shrouded Cascade mountains. |
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Following a canal road out to the Madras Trestle, I arrived just in time to witness the 4449 braking to let people off for a Photo runby. Dumb luck provided me with this excellent classic view as soon as I stepped out of my car. I tell you, it just doesn't get much better than that! |
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I mixed in with the crowd for the photo-runby, and the 4449 did her stuff on que. |
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I left before the second runby to seek another location. That I found where the tracks make a 180 degree curve around a hillside at the top of the long grade down through Gateway to the Deschutes River. From here I could see all the way back to where I had just been, some three miles distant. |
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The middle Deschutes river was under cloud cover as we witness the 4449 passing Shear's Falls. The platforms next to the falls are used by local natives to spear Salmon attempting to leap their way over the falls. |
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After the servicing at Wishram, the 4449 is again under way in brilliant sunlight and high winds that sweeps the smoke plume aside in a split second. The excursion is going all out at this spot next to the Dalles Dam. From here I'll use the higher speeds of Interstate 84 (and some luck) to beat the train to Hood River. |
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It was close, but I managed to reach this location between Bingen and Cooks before the excursion. Clouds and rainy conditions have once again settled in over the Gorge. |
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The special meet several freights sitting in the hold between Bingen and Washougal, but at the latter point the 4449 had to go in the hold for the Eastbound Portland Section of the Empire Builder. I continued on to Vancouver to get this photo of the train coming through |
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Finally back in Union Station. Shortly the northbound Coast Starlight behind me and there will be quite a crowd on the platform. But it's time for some late evening photos |
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Like a ghost from a different time, the 4449 hurries off toward home as the night settles in.. |
-Ted Curphey
