Nostalgia & History > SP #4449, Bakersfield-Burbank Junction, 12 May 1981

Following the opening of the California Railroad Museum in early May 1981, #4449 made a quick trip to Los Angeles via the Tehachapis on May 12th. I arrived at Bakersfield a little after 0300 on the 12th, and would spend the next 10 hours seeing and photographing what I had always longed to see: a Daylight locomotive operating over one of the most storied sections of railroad in the United States.

1. It's 0330 at Southern Pacific's Bakersfield servicing facility.

2. Even with only the barest hint of dawn in the eastern sky, #4449 looked great storming the grade at Woodford.

3. The highway between Bakersfield and Tehachapi afforded several opportunities to see, hear, and photograph #4449 as it worked its way upgrade west of Cable.

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4. Working upgrade at Cable.

5. Arrival in Tehachapi.

6. Servicing in Tehachapi.

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7, 8. Departing Tehachapi.

9. Drifting downgrade through Cameron.

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10. In Soledad Canyon.

11. Passing through Sylmar at 1045. The weather turned decidedly cooler and overcast as the train approached LA.

12. Through the smog and fog at Burbank Junction.

I had to get back to my ship, which was underway from Long Beach Naval Shipyard the following morning. I recall thinking this might be the last time I would ever see #4449 in operation. How little did I know...and how lucky we have all been that she is still steaming in excursion service, and looking better than ever, 30 years later

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Beautiful photos, Thanks for sharing!

Lorne

Nice shots of a not very photographed move of the 4449. Some of the very first slides I ever shot were of this train, with my brother, father, and the late Carl Rogoza that day. We waited near the entrance of the Newhall Tunnel near Saugus and then chased the short distance to Taylor Yard and LAUPT. The next day, the train would head north via the coast.

Here's a picture of the train backing in to LA Union Station on 12 May.

Rich

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Very atmospheric shots, captrr -- very out of the ordinary, and full of energy and feeling. Thanks for posting!

~ BZ

Great pics, sucked she went through in the wee hours of the morning! It would be 3 more years until I saw her and all i can say is she's one very beautiful locomotive!

I remember when 4449 brought the American Freedom Train through Taylor Yard in 1975. One of the old SP hands did not like the red, white and blue paint job, saying, "That's our engine! It should be in Daylight colors." These photos prove that they got their wish.

Never seen pics of this move until now. Excellent!

Love the action shot (#2) in the dark!

Steve Mitchell
http://www.yardgoatimages.com