I kind of passed over that cab ride, enroute from Portland to Minneapolis, but here are a couple of photos from the segment from Devils Lake to Grand Forks, ND. First one is a view seen by seldom, except for Jack Wheelihan and Pat Tracy, the usual firemen on 4449. The next one shows Doyle McCormack in one of the many roles he has to accomplish while running 4449. He's leaning back to talk to the Amtrak pilot engineer. That shot was taken with no flash, so I did some serious gamma correction, resulting in the pixelating you see. Sorry.
Jim, you had altogether too much fun, I'm so happy your heart could handle the excitement....:w20z6q:
Ken, I am not sure what the posted passenger train speed is through there but we were doing 60mph. The rail is jointed and man, it was a rough ride. Thoroughly enjoyable, however! :tb-biggrin:
I just returned home from Owosso and am still in awe of her beuty. That was the first time I have ever seen 4449 in person. I always thought I'd have to travel out west to see her!
Steve, I'm glad you had the opportunity to see her. We kind of take her for granted out in the west, and it's really great to see the enthusiasm among the railfans that she has stirred up with her venture back east. BTW, she's on the ground tonight, heading in to the night photo session. Should be re-railed quickly. :tb-biggrin:
Jim, even my wife and daughters were impressed. Until now, I had only seen UP 3985 during the Clinchfield Challenge, Milwaukee 261, N&W 1218 and of course our very own L&N 152. Now I can add 8 more to the list! We had the time of our lives in Owosso and a huge thanks goes out to all those who made it possible. I was just a kid in the '80s. Too bad because mainline steam was everywhere! I hope events of this magnitude continue for many years to come.
Oh yeah, I forgot to add that I'll be joining the Fort Wayne Historical Society and making contributions as often as possible. 765 is another awesome machine that can really do some talking when working hard!!!
There was a constant line to get a look at the cab inreior of 4449. I was told up to a two hour wait. She definately was the bell of the ball. I never did get to see her move. Disapointed in that. Also, I saw a show of the train she was pulling to Michigan and it had a C&O coach in the consist but I never saw it at the show. Does anyone know where that was?
Owosso was great fun. Having only seen 4449 (in Sacramento 1999), it was great to see her run. I rode behind 765 at least a half dozen times as a kid on railfan trips, it was great seeing her back in action. Too bad about 1225. The timing of the breakdown was very poor on her part! :lol:
Hey Fitz, I'm hearing the 4449 is on the ground:tb-shocked:. Is this true? What caused it? Pictures!! Never mind, I just saw you posted it. I asked before I read.
oldrk, Here is a shot at Marias Pass looking back at the consist. The C&O car is the Chapel Hill. Seems to me in some of the excursion shots between Owosso and Alma I also saw a C&O car, this on another website. Secret Weapon, I have seen a few photos showing 4449 in the night photo session, so she must have been rerailed quickly.
