Steam & Excursion > AFT #4449 50 yrs. ago this week in SF

I was a volunteer American Fredom Train member.  I did not sign up for the nationwide schedule because it was in my third year at San Frnacico State University and was not going to leave school.  So my first assignemt  when the train reached SF was to help Laurie McCormack with a few house keeping duties. We collected all of the laundry off the train and went to the washers and dryers at the now long gone recreational park for campers abd trailers at 5th St.  Later that night, I joined Doyles Dad keeping him company in the cab of the #4449 tending to a spot fire in he engine.  First Image is the #4449 taking on water in front of the Ferry Building. Doyle also got a ticket for illegal parking.  (true story).  2nd image is the the #4449 stopping right near where Oracle Park on State Belt trackage. The Lefty O'doul bridge is in the middle of the picture and Oracle Park would be to the right side of the picture. It was determined that the 16 degree curve at Aquatic Park was to tight for the 49 so State Belt engine #25 took the AFT consist to the Crissy Field statging area. I took this picture from the hill at Ft. Mason.  The tracks are still there buried under the asphat paving. 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/30/25 10:40 by weather.

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4th picture: Earlier in the day, the #4449 came across the Bay from Oakland on the Dumbarton Bridge, 18 years after the offical end of SP steam.  5th picture: shot from the Aquatic Park Municipal pier looking back at Aquatic Park finds the #4449 and the tool car on straight trackage near Fishermans Wharf.  The last photo, I did not take, it was from ssomeone I know but don't remember the name, who climbed up San Bruno Mt. and go this fantastic shot earlier in the day as the AFT approached the southend of Bayshore Yard. I will tell you with all honesty, that my experience with the Freeedom Train and the #4449 was the most thrilling and enjoyable time I have ever had witth steam railroading.   Text and photos by Mike Pechner, Copyright, 2023, "All Rights Reserved."



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/30/25 10:38 by weather.

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Great photos and recollections of the AFT 4449.  Thanks for sharing your college year encounters with Doyle and company.  Don't forget to use spell check on your posts.

weather Wrote:
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> First Image is the #4449 taking on water
> in front of the Ferry Building. Doyle also got a
> ticket for illegal parking.  (true story).

That sounds like a side story that needs to be posted here.

Photo four is truly an excellent scene.
Bob