On December 14, 1974, Southern Pacific 4449 was towed out of Oaks Park in southeast Portland, OR. and taken to Burlington Northern's Hoyt Street Roundhouse in what is now the Pearl District.

There, the 4449 was disassembled, inspected, repaired, and reassembled to pull the American Freedom Train in 1975-1977, a train full of historic artifacts that toured around the United States.

Over the course of 40 years, this steam locomotive and the crew that kept her operational has continued to pull officer specials for railroads, star in a Disney film, run excursion trains for the public, and return to Oaks Park during Holiday Express events.

Some of the same crew members who took part of the activities in 1974 continues to be involved today with a whole new batch of volunteers working to carry 4449 into the next generation.

Steam locomotives still in operation in the United States must undergo a federally-mandated inspection every 15 years. SP 4449's certification expired in 2013, which means there are no excursions planned while volunteers take apart and inspect the locomotive.

To get an idea of what this inspection covers, check out this abbreviated overview. With the inspection underway and expected to last 1-2 years, we'll also be fine-tuning and polishing up the locomotive for another 15-years of operation!