Portland’s 4449 to Bend and Back

Mar 13, 2023

Enjoy a cup of coffee on a Sunday morning and some railroad history. Take a trip through the Columbia River Gorge and the Deschutes River Canyon.

The Southern Pacific 4449 is a "GS-4" class of 4-8-4 "Northern" type steam locomotive. There are only two GS type locomotives that exist today. The SP 4449 is the only GS-4 locomotive left that has survived a scrap yard.

The 4449 was gifted to the City of Portland and was placed on static display in Oaks Park. It was vandalized and had many of its external parts stolen, including its builder's plates and whistle. The following photo is of the 4449 as it was towed from Oaks Park on its way for restoration.

Restoration

Jack Holst, a Southern Pacific employee and member of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, looked after SP No. 4449 along with two other steam locomotives, Spokane, Portland and Seattle 700 and Oregon Railroad and Navigation 197. Holst kept the engines’ bearings and rods oiled in case they were ever to move again. Holst died in 1972 and did not get to see No. 4449 return to operation.

In 1974, No. 4449 was evaluated for restoration after becoming a candidate to pull the American Freedom Train, as its size, power and streamlining made it a good fit for that Bicentennial train. After the evaluators determined that 4449's bearings and rods remained in good condition, they selected the locomotive for that task.

No. 4449 was removed from display on December 13, 1974 and restored at the Burlington Northern Railroad's Hoyt Street roundhouse in Portland. The locomotive returned to operation on April 21, 1975 wearing a special paint scheme of red, white and blue. – from Wikipedia

The SP 4449 in the present day displays its original livery when it was in service with Southern Pacific Rail Lines.