Spewing steam as it grandly chugged across Montana's Hi-Line in July, the Southern Pacific "Daylight" No. 4449 steam engine was a sight not to be missed. Unfortunately, some people did. Train fanatics will get a second chance to see and ride the historic train as it heads back to Portland this week. Arguably one of the most beautiful locomotives ever built, the grand lady of the art deco era is now retired to a static display in Portland's Oaks Park. Built in 1941, SP 4449 originally ran from Los Angeles to San Francisco to Portland. The last time it ran was in the 1970s, when it was selected to pull the American Freedom Train throughout the United States. Starting today, the train leaves Minneapolis for Fargo. The second leg is from Fargo to Minot and after a layover in Minot on Thursday, the SP 4449 will head to Havre on Friday. The only leg completely in Montana is the Saturday trek from Havre to Whitefish, which also offers spectacular views of Glacier National Park. The train will spend a day in Whitefish before heading to Spokane on Oct. 19 and then from Spokane to Portland the following day. People can ride in the vintage passenger cars, with fares ranging from $199 to $499 for each leg of the journey. Or for a little more cash, they can stay overnight in one of the Pullman sleepers...read more
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Steam train coming back through
Spewing steam as it grandly chugged across Montana's Hi-Line in July, the Southern Pacific "Daylight" No. 4449 steam engine was a sight not to be missed. Unfortunately, some people did. Train fanatics will get a second chance to see and ride the historic train as it heads back to Portland this week. Arguably one of the most beautiful locomotives ever built, the grand lady of the art deco era is now retired to a static display in Portland's Oaks Park. Built in 1941, SP 4449 originally ran from Los Angeles to San Francisco to Portland. The last time it ran was in the 1970s, when it was selected to pull the American Freedom Train throughout the United States. Starting today, the train leaves Minneapolis for Fargo. The second leg is from Fargo to Minot and after a layover in Minot on Thursday, the SP 4449 will head to Havre on Friday. The only leg completely in Montana is the Saturday trek from Havre to Whitefish, which also offers spectacular views of Glacier National Park. The train will spend a day in Whitefish before heading to Spokane on Oct. 19 and then from Spokane to Portland the following day. People can ride in the vintage passenger cars, with fares ranging from $199 to $499 for each leg of the journey. Or for a little more cash, they can stay overnight in one of the Pullman sleepers...read more
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment