Amtrak's Transcontinental Steam Excursion departs Yuma, Arizona, and is just about to cross into California, on April 24, 1977. After the American Freedom Train concluded its run, the big Lima steam engine operated on a few fan trips in the southern part of the United States. But as the locomotive was owned by the city of Portland, Oregon, a trip home was arranged as a series of fan trips. The train originated in Birmingham, Alabama, and the 4449 pulled a consist of Amtrak passenger cars on a series of day trips, with the cars full of enthusiastic riders. The special train traveled 3,655 miles, stopped in 61 cities and carried approximately 9,700 passengers (many of whom boarded for short segments). The 4-8-4 steam engine retained its Freedom Train colors, but a white “Amtrak” was added to the tender – fitting, since this was, after all, an Amtrak operation. Amtrak SDP40F 543 was providing assistance behind the 4449 (and UP water car 907853).
