Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
From 1975 - 1976, the Bicentennial of the United States of America was celebrated with the American Freedom Train, a 26-car rolling exhibition of the country’s most treasured artifacts to all lower 48 contiguous states. Following the end of the tour on December 31, 1976, the three steam locomotives restored to pull the train would all be tasked with new operations. Texas & Pacific 610 would move to the Southern Railway Steam Shops on Irondale, AL, where it would pull excursions for the railroad’s steam program until 1981. AFT 1, formerly Reading 2101, would go on to pull the Chessie Steam Special to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of American railroading. Southern Pacific 4449, now in Miami FL, would begin a cross-country steam excursion operating under Amtrak, in order to ferry the engine back to its home in Portland, OR. After leaving Miami and arriving in Birmingham, AL in January 1977, the engine would be serviced at the Southern Railway Steam Shops. It would then pull two excursions out of Birmingham to Chattanooga, TN for the Southern, before starting its cross-country trek back home to Portland in April of 1977.
This video covers the final leg of the 4449 1977 Transcontinental Steam Excursion, as it retraces the original route it was designed and built for for the first time in 21 years. Then it’s a dash along bay, through the Sacramento Valley and onto the Shasta Route. The 4 day coverage concludes with the 4449 crossing into Oregon on the final leg of its trip home. Since these scenes were taken the 4449 has enjoyed a pampered life in retirement. Now in its original Daylight colors its second life in excursion service has now lasted well over 40 years.
These scenes were taken on 8mm and Super 8mm film by 4 different railfans, bringing you almost complete coverage of the 4449’s run through California. Slides were taken by Fred Klyver, and come from the collection of Rob Klyver.
Enjoy this look at 4449, and its epic 1977 journey back home to Portland!
Music in this video is used through Creative Commons:
🎵 Music "Joy" by ‘Kumotora’
youtu.be/L8UYnbF_ANo?si=YnbLqy-3Q84iym95
💿 Listen everywhere:
lofihiphop.de/joy
✅ For more Copyright Free Music visit:
youtube.com/@tamamusic?si=gASbWUUEA0gu1Ujd
From 1975 - 1976, the Bicentennial of the United States of America was celebrated with the American Freedom Train, a 26-car rolling exhibition of the country’s most treasured artifacts to all lower 48 contiguous states. Following the end of the tour on December 31, 1976, the three steam locomotives restored to pull the train would all be tasked with new operations. Texas & Pacific 610 would move to the Southern Railway Steam Shops on Irondale, AL, where it would pull excursions for the railroad’s steam program until 1981. AFT 1, formerly Reading 2101, would go on to pull the Chessie Steam Special to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of American railroading. Southern Pacific 4449, now in Miami FL, would begin a cross-country steam excursion operating under Amtrak, in order to ferry the engine back to its home in Portland, OR. After leaving Miami and arriving in Birmingham, AL in January 1977, the engine would be serviced at the Southern Railway Steam Shops. It would then pull two excursions out of Birmingham to Chattanooga, TN for the Southern, before starting its cross-country trek back home to Portland in April of 1977.
This video covers the final leg of the 4449 1977 Transcontinental Steam Excursion, as it retraces the original route it was designed and built for for the first time in 21 years. Then it’s a dash along bay, through the Sacramento Valley and onto the Shasta Route. The 4 day coverage concludes with the 4449 crossing into Oregon on the final leg of its trip home. Since these scenes were taken the 4449 has enjoyed a pampered life in retirement. Now in its original Daylight colors its second life in excursion service has now lasted well over 40 years.
These scenes were taken on 8mm and Super 8mm film by 4 different railfans, bringing you almost complete coverage of the 4449’s run through California. Slides were taken by Fred Klyver, and come from the collection of Rob Klyver.
Enjoy this look at 4449, and its epic 1977 journey back home to Portland!
Music in this video is used through Creative Commons:
🎵 Music "Joy" by ‘Kumotora’
youtu.be/L8UYnbF_ANo?si=YnbLqy-3Q84iym95
💿 Listen everywhere:
lofihiphop.de/joy
✅ For more Copyright Free Music visit:
youtube.com/@tamamusic?si=gASbWUUEA0gu1Ujd
