The
last time I had seen the 4449, it was blasting through the San Fernando
Valley (Southern California) with the Freedom Train in the early 1980's.
The 4449 is a former Southern
Pacific GS-4 4-8-4 steam engine which
has been beautifully restored by a group of volunteers. According
to
The Friends of
SP 4449 web site, she "was built in May of 1941 by Lima Locomotive
Works in Lima, Ohio. Southern Pacific donated the locomotive to
the City of Portland, where
it was put on display at Oaks Park along with other preserved
locomotives." The Friends of SP 4449 has
history and timeline
page.
What an homor to be able to visit
the cab of this historical engine.
The dimensionality of this locomotive
cannot be told while she is
photographed indoors. Either way, she is a beautiful machine.
