The Fuzzy World 3um

Just Announced that the Southern Pacific Daylight #4449 will be steaming to Owosso, Michigan for the Train Festival in July 2009. The trip from Portland, OR to Michigan will bring the big bright Northern through Milwaukee on the CP rails. Apparently the Friends of the 261 are helping with the trip and providing some cars including the Skytop.

I have seen the #4449 once before when it pulled a doubleheaded steam excursion in Oregon/Washington through the Columbia River Gorge in July 2005. The steam trip was part of the NRHS Convention. Photo below was taken during that trip.



According to information the #4449 will be leaving Portland, OR about July 4th with arrival in Owosso, MI on July 19th. More detailed information will be forthcoming.

So even with #261 down Milwaukee still managed to score some big steam this summer. I was actually planning on attending Train Festival and already have a ticket to the Night Photo Session. Here's a quick break down of what is happening.

8 Different Steam Engines to Attend Below are the Big stars and each is pulling an excursion
Pere Marquette #1225 2-8-4 Berkshire (Polar Express Locomotive)
Nickel Plate #765 2-8-4 Berkshire - first big run since its rebuild
Southern Pacific #4449 4-8-4 Northern

Excursions -

Friday July 24th SP #4449 Excursion
Saturday July 25th PM #1225 Excursion
Sunday July 26th NKP #765 Excursion

For more information check out http://www.trainfestival2009.com

Keith

This is just too good to be true, it will also be making a appearance in Chicago. I HIGHLY suggest going out to get this when it runs because it's going to probably be a once in a lifetime opportunity to see 4449 in the midwest. I hope they release the detailed schedule so I can plan what day I need to get ready for.

Have fun across the pond, Keith...I'll be staying here

I will be out getting photos though, as that is too good of an opprotunity to pass up.

Um, second in a lifetime. It was here with the Freedom train in 1976. Saw it stop in Butler. Wow.
Joe

Son-of-a-#)@!#$)@*)$#$ I'll be up north on vacation in the end of July. The Bachmann SP Daylight was one of my first HO scale steam locomotives and now I'm going to miss the real thing. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!

That would still qualify for "once" for me.

I know you'd much rather catch it yourself, but I'll be sure to grab some photos for you to enjoy...

Perhaps I should loan you the old stereo camera my Grandmother gave me... that would make it much easier for me to live my train experiences through your photographs

Who's Gonna be there? I just got word that the Southern Pacific 4449 will be there, and its passing through CHicago on the way. I'm so going. PM 1225, NKP 765, SP 4449, 5 other steamers, all the E's F's and other cool diesels you could want. Its gonna be awesome. Plus I don't think she has ever been on this side of the mississippi, atleast not since being preserved.

oops this thread is a bit redundant

Eh, no worries; I merged the topic with the other one. I should probably move it over to Events as well, maybe once I get home from work. (I also need to merge the IC 6071 topics...) I've also modified the topic title to avoid confusion with "Trainfest", which is always in Milwaukee the second weekend in November.

www.trainfestival2009.com/

-Da Admin

Yes it is and egads, don't call their show Trainfest! I think it used to be called that, but then the WISE Division had their attorney write them a letter or to requesting that they change the name to avoid copyright issues. But that's a whole other topic.
Joe

I added some photos on my Flickr Page of the SP #4449. These were taken in July 2005 when the SP #4449 and SP&S #700 teamed up to pull a doubleheader for the NRHS Convention. The excursion ran through the beautiful Columbia River Gorge.

Check it out http://www.flickr.com/photos/22338037@N ... 963235313/

Keith

I know the economy isn't in the greatest shape and I hate looking at my 401k balance but if someone is fortunate enough to have some extra cash here is one way it could be spent. Ride behind the #4449 on its way to Michigan.

Check out the long delay before its departure. Can anyone say "Fall Excursion along Mississippi River - led by SP #4449", filling in for the dismantled #261, that would be a great show.

High Iron Travel in conjunction with AAPRCO, Friends of 4449, and the Steam Railroading Institute is offering a unique steam railroading experience: a trip behind ex-SP 4449 from Portland, OR to Minneapolis, MN and return.

Here is the schedule.

Eastbound
Train will be daylight running only.
July 3: Portland to Spokane (BNSF)
July 4: Spokane to Whitefish
July 5: Whitefish to Havre
July 6: Layover day in Havre
July 7: Havre to Minot
July 8: Minot to Fargo
July 9: Layover day in Fargo
July 10: Fargo to Minneapolis.

July 12: Caritas will then proceed to Chicago on Amtrak #8.

Fare: $5,450 per per double occupancy and includes all meals except lunch and dinner on the two layover days. Accommodations en route. If we have sufficient interest we'll take the Cimarron River and provide roomette accommodations for a $500 surcharge.

Westbound:
Train will be daylight running only.
Oct. 13: Minneapolis to Fargo (BNSF)
Oct. 14: Fargo to Minot
Oct. 15: layover day in Minot
Oct. 16: Minot to Havre
Oct. 17: Havre to Whitwfish
Oct. 18: Layover day Whitefish
Oct. 19: Whitefish to Pasco
Oct. 20: Pasco to Portland (ex NP Stampede Pass route)

Fare: $5,450 per per double occupancy and includes all meals except lunch and dinner on the two layover days. Accommodations en route. If we have sufficient interest we'll take the Cimarron River and provide roomette accommodations for a $500 surcharge.


A deposit of $1000 will hold your space.


Keith

OK, when does no. 4449 proceed to Chicago? Could we have circus wagons and no. 4449 both rolling in Milwaukee on July 12 (or 11th, for that matter)?


In 1987 the WISE Division chartered the Silver Solarium and Cimarron River, put them behind the Builder, and 30+ modelers went to the NMRA convention in Eugene, Ore. Cost was a bit over $1,000 per person (depending upon where you slept) and meals. When you factor in lodging, double occupancy, and the fact it's behind no. 4449, and 20+ years for inflation, $5,450 isn't bad.

However, going to sleep under the Solarium's dome, during a thunderstorm while rolling out of Minneapolis, might still trump riding behind no. 4449.


And for the other question, where is it going to sit (or go) for over two months, and why?
Joe

Joe, I believe the #4449 will be leaving for Michigan on July 17th from Minneapolis.



It will be staying at Harrison Street Shops I believe. I would venture to say that #4449 could be pulling some excursions in the area to help with the rebuilding of #261. That would be some great cooperation between the organizations involved. Again I think a Fall Excursion along the Mississippi River pulled by #4449 is a very good possibility

Keith