Yahoo, guys, this hot off the (leaked) net. Neither sponsoring organization has published this yet, but it originated with Martin Hansen and was verified by Rich Young. The last two weekends of March 2002 will see the SP Daylight 4449 run from Portland, OR to Sacramento, CA and return. The trip will take three days in each direction, and the engine will be back in Daylight colors again. Route will be up the Columbia River Gorge and south through Deschutes River Canyon--that's all I needed to hear. Maybe the Feather River Canyon? You guys back east, come on out and ride! If you can't, then envy us in the west. You guys in the west, start saving your money! No prices available yet, but check here and on the 4449 site Friends of 4449 and it will eventually be posted. These guys run great trips. In case anyone forgot what the Daylight colors or the Columbia Gorge looks like:
Even though I'm not UP Modeler of fan, I do love steam, Lucky you guys,,,, I do believe she is under Daylight color now, seen it someplace she was undergoing a repaint back to it. Hope it goes well, Lucky dogs...maybe will get a break in the Midwest someday....
Steamer700--welcome! I know we have met, just not sure which one of the 700 guys you are. I'm guessing "Smokebox" is Don Wheeler. Anyway, it does not matter what color 4449 is if this March trip really happens. Anyone who has ever experienced riding in a consist behind this locomotive doesn't have to be reminded of her performance. Looking forward to it!
Fitz. Sorry, I am not smokebox. We met on the "Homecoming Excursion" last April on the trip to Spokane pulled by the S.P.&S. 700. Smokebox volunteers on the OR&N 197 in the Brooklyn roundhouse. I am however, as you say, Don Wheeler, President of the Pacific Railroad Preservation Association (PRPA).
Don, that's even better. Welcome to the President of a volunteer organization which does a fantastic job on fan trips. I apologize for the mis-identity. Actually we FIRST met on the first 700 trip (short) from Portland to St. Helen's a few years ago. "Smokebox" or "Smokebox1" posts on several forums that I check daily, and one time a long time ago I asked "Is that you, Don?" and he answered Yes , so I guess his name is Don, also, eh? I mistakenly assumed that was you. Anyway, you guys and all of the volunteer organizations should take advantage of this site to promote your trips when they take place. I do my best to help out, and always enjoy the trips that your whole gang from the Brooklyn Roundhouse sponsor. Did you hear that railfans? Get behind the groups who sponsor trips on the SP&S 700 and SP 4449. You won't regret it.
Fitz, Thank you for your support. All volunteers need that support to continue preserving steam history. By the way smokebox and smokebox1 are the same guy and his name is Dave. We all injoy working on and operating the S.P.& S. 700. Our reward for the over 10,000 hours that this group of 25 volunteers has work on the 700 in this year is to see the smiling faces, flash blubs, letters and donations to our cause. To all the people that support us, thank you. May you all have a Merry Christmas and Happy new year. Don
Here's a Christmas present for steam fans. The March 4449 trip is a GO. Check out their site at Friends of the 4449
