Southern Pacific 4-8-4 4449 "Daylight" began its second life in preservation in 1975 when the engine was selected to be one of three locomotives to pull the American Freedom Train from America’s Bicentennial. This video focuses on the engine running in California during the summer and winter of 1975.
The red, white, and blue GS-4 is seen heading east over Donner Pass to meet the American Freedom Train in Chicago after being restored in Portland, OR. The 4449 is then seen returning over Donner Pass with the Freedom Train in November of 1975, and then touring around the San Francisco Bay Area the following month.
After the Freedom Train tour ended in Miami, FL, the 4449 headed up and Amtrak sponsored cross-country steam excursion back to Portland in 1977. After a couple of views of the engine retracing it’s original Daylight route in California, it is onto 1981 and the first run of the engine in its original Daylight colors of red, orange, and black colors from its in service days. This trip marked the return of the Daylight for excursion service, a tradition that has now continued for well over 40 years.
This 8mm movie film was shot by Michael Spolini, Sr. and was provided by his son Michael Spolini Jr. and was transferred by Hunter Lohse.