Back in the early 1980s, after it completed its duty hauling the American Freedom Train in the mid-70s, Southern Pacific GS-4 class 4-8-4 4449 was restored to its colorful Southern Pacific Daylight scheme. And what an awesome time it was to be a railfan in the west, as we had several opportunities to chase this locomotive puling trains.
In May 1981, SP 4449 (along with SP SD45T-2 9324) pulled a short train from Portland, Oregon, to Los Angeles (via the San Joaquin Valley and crossing the Tehachapis) and back (heading up the SP’s Coast Line along the Pacific Ocean and through San Luis Obispo).
This train is seen here, at milepost 387 (Seacliff) paralleling U.S. Route 101 (or as we Californians call it, just "The 101"), and the Pacific Ocean. This train caused a bit of a traffic jam on the 101 thanks to all the railfans wanting to pace the train. The backup on the freeway is longer than the train itself!
This powerful and beautiful 4-8-4 Northern type steam locomotive hauled the Coast Daylight and other SP varnish. It came back from retirement to haul numerous specials and excursions, including the American Freedom Train.
