Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Southern Pacific GS-4 4449 is one of the most iconic preserved steam locomotives in service today. This engine was built by the Lima Locomotive Works in 1941 for service in Southern Pacific's Coast Daylight Trains 98 and 99 from San Francisco to Los Angeles. After the war the SP quickly dieselized its long distance passenger trains and the 4-8-4s were relegated to secondary services and commute runs until the end of regular SP steam operations in November of 1956.
In 1958, after storage on the deadline in Bakersfield, the 4449 was donated to the city of Portland, OR and placed on display in Oaks Park. In 1974, the engine was selected as one of the 3 to power the American Freedom Train for the country's Bicentennial. From 1975 to 1976 the 4449 in red, white, and blue paint toured the country bringing America's most treasured artifacts along with it.
After the Freedom Train, the 4449 would run a cross country Amtrak excursion from Florida, all the way back to Portland, OR. In 1981 the engine was repainted into SP's iconic Daylight colors for the first time since the mid 1950s for Railfair '81 and the grand opening of the California State Railroad Museum.
All of this is seen here in these 8mm and Super 8mm movies from 5 different railfans, in steam's grand return to the mainlines of the Southern Pacific.
This program was originally created by Hunter Lohse in 2020, and has been re-edited and remastered in 2026 for Dynamo Productions to help in celebrating America's 250th!
Enjoy this look at the revival of a American steam preservation icon!
Thumbnail slide provided by Gary Perazzo
Southern Pacific GS-4 4449 is one of the most iconic preserved steam locomotives in service today. This engine was built by the Lima Locomotive Works in 1941 for service in Southern Pacific's Coast Daylight Trains 98 and 99 from San Francisco to Los Angeles. After the war the SP quickly dieselized its long distance passenger trains and the 4-8-4s were relegated to secondary services and commute runs until the end of regular SP steam operations in November of 1956.
In 1958, after storage on the deadline in Bakersfield, the 4449 was donated to the city of Portland, OR and placed on display in Oaks Park. In 1974, the engine was selected as one of the 3 to power the American Freedom Train for the country's Bicentennial. From 1975 to 1976 the 4449 in red, white, and blue paint toured the country bringing America's most treasured artifacts along with it.
After the Freedom Train, the 4449 would run a cross country Amtrak excursion from Florida, all the way back to Portland, OR. In 1981 the engine was repainted into SP's iconic Daylight colors for the first time since the mid 1950s for Railfair '81 and the grand opening of the California State Railroad Museum.
All of this is seen here in these 8mm and Super 8mm movies from 5 different railfans, in steam's grand return to the mainlines of the Southern Pacific.
This program was originally created by Hunter Lohse in 2020, and has been re-edited and remastered in 2026 for Dynamo Productions to help in celebrating America's 250th!
Enjoy this look at the revival of a American steam preservation icon!
Thumbnail slide provided by Gary Perazzo
![[4K] Rough & Tumble Shay Railroad Steam Train](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Qx7j_33ptQY/mqdefault.jpg "[4K] Rough & Tumble Shay Railroad Steam Train
The Rough & Tumble Engineers Historical Association has operated their Threshermans reunion since 1948, one of the oldest such events in the United States. This gathering of threshing engines and other such equipment is brought to Kinzers, Pennsylvania for several days each August.
Also showcased at Rough & Tumble is steam on a 30 gauge railroad. The engine is Shay 4, which was homemade built by conductor and steam machinery fan Bruce Groninger in the 1970s. It includes, among many parts, a 1940s stationary boiler and a sawmill steam engine.
0:00 Opening
1:15 Daytime loop
6:09 Ride
12:25 Evening loop")
![[4K] Wilmington & Western Steam Specials](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RujHi37Gwsc/mqdefault.jpg "[4K] Wilmington & Western Steam Specials
The Wilmington & Western Railroad operates special Autumn Color Express trips down their entire line from Greenbank Station along the Red Clay Valley to Hockessin, DE. For many of these 10-mile trips, their 0-6-0 switcher 58 aka “The Veterans Locomotive” takes charge with a number of heavyweights and cabooses down the old Baltimore & Ohio Landenberg Branch. On the rear for assistance and the return trip is Baltimore & Ohio SW1 8408, a diesel switcher that once ran this very line in revenue freight service.
0:00 Opening - Yorklyn Trestle
1:19 Entering Greenbank Station
2:32 Departing Greenbank Station
4:28 Brandywine Springs
5:32 Faukland Road
6:41 Woodcock Hollow Cut
7:50 Barley Mill Road
9:20 Mount Cuba Road
10:25 Ashland Trestle
11:28 Ashland
12:44 Yorklyn
13:58 Yorkridge Trail
15:07 Old Wilmington Road
16:24 Hockessin
18:55 Closer and Credits")
![[4K] Polar Express Steam Train - Western Maryland 1309](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/S_FgnkOcEfs/mqdefault.jpg "[4K] Polar Express Steam Train - Western Maryland 1309
Western Maryland Scenic Railroad 2-6-6-2 1309 powers a series of Polar Express excursions. This 1949-built Baldwin Mallet takes charge with these Christmas trains up the former WMRY and Cumberland & Pittsburgh Railroad to Frostburg Depot.
For more information about WMSR and upcoming excursions visit www.wmsr.com.")
![[4K] Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Christmas Trains](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/SjtcLFriHrY/mqdefault.jpg "[4K] Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Christmas Trains
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad operates along the scenic Tuckasegee River out of Bryson City, North Carolina. Once the former Southern Railway Murphy Branch, tourist trains have operated along the Great Smoky Mountains since 1991.
Operating westbound is steam locomotive 1702. This former Army S160 2-8-0 was built in 1942 by Baldwin and retained for use in the United States. It was sold to the Reader Railroad and extensively modified with a changed pilot, cab and larger tender. It has been part of the GSMR roster since 1991, operating until 2004. The 1702 received a 1472-day rebuild that was completed in 2016.
Diesels featured include GP38-2 2335 and GP9 1755.
Also featured on the Polar Express trips is former Erie Mining FP9A 4210.
0:00 Opening
1:32 Diesels eastbound (MrBeast train crash site)
3:24 Dillsboro
5:23 Departing Dillsboro
7:13 Wilmot
12:07 Whittier
13:16 Ela
14:11 Kituwah
15:41 Ferguson Hill
17:55 Tuckasegee River
19:34 Bryson City Turntable
23:00 FP9A 4210 on Polar Express
27:41 Closer")
