SP 4449 American Freedom Train (AFT)

Beautifully restored Southern Pacific Daylight steam locomotive #4449, dressed in streamlined American Freedom Train colors, pulls a short excursion train along the newly opened Springwater Trail in Portland, Oregon in June 2003.
See more vintage American Freedom Train action here: • SP 4449 Daylight - Ame...
This incredible 4-8-4 Northern locomotive also pulls the annual Holiday Express train along this same route every holiday season. It is a terrific trip for the whole family. You and the family can join Santa Claus and his elves for a magical ride behind Portland’s famous steam locomotives. Vintage rail cars transport you along the Willamette River on a portion of the Portland and Western Railroad (PNWR) in the heart of the city of Portland.
Built in 1941 as a 4-8-4 GS-4 locomotive, SP 4449 is the only remaining operable “streamlined” steam locomotive of the Art Deco era. This grand Lady of the High Iron pulled Southern Pacific “Daylight” coaches from Los Angeles to San Francisco over the scenic Coast Route and then on to Portland until 1955.
Retired to Oaks Park in 1958 for display only, many thought 4449 would never run again. In 1974 she was completely restored specifically to pull the 1976 Bicentennial American Freedom Train throughout the United States to the delight of over 30 million people. SP 4449 has also operated numerous excursions since. She is arguably one of the most beautiful locomotives ever built and kept that way by the all-volunteer Friends of SP 4449.

[@atsfevan0242]

Who here agrees that painting 4449 in her aft colors to remember everyone we lost on 911 is the best thing a steam locomotive has ever done ever since giving train rides to sick children (the locomotive that did that was Canadian Pacific 2816 by the way)

[@tamarapack320]

I think the daylight is the most beautiful train I've ever seen

[@cobracorporal6738]

I agree

[@JacobHeiseiGojirayashazilla994]

Yeah the sp 4449 daylight she Is the most beautiful

[@JacobHeiseiGojirayashazilla994]

Yes

[@EngineerDaylight]

I find it amazing that she was repainted in her aft colors, I never thought I'd see her in that livery again

[@JOEMAMA_534]

In 2026, we will see her, and others do the freedom train once again

[@Slipperyisimproving]

The reason for 4449 being in AFT colors again is due to the September 11 2001 attacks.

[@arthurmateusdearaujo9938]

i like the p444

[@nathancorcoran5347]

@@Slipperyisimprovingyeah. But at least the livery is back around that time. I would like to see Southern Pacific 4449 in operation soon.

[@Basinrails]

1:29 That whistle is so iconic

[@Milan_Scenic_Productions]

Hint it's from a game with r in it

[@Coalbacob]

@@Milan_Scenic_Productions I would guess it easily! Ro Scale, Roblox

[@nathancorcoran5347]

I agree. It’s another iconic steam locomotive whistle.

[@NorcalValleyRailfan]

@@Coalbacobits trainz idiot

[@BrikLikesWaffles]

@@Coalbacobrailway simulator, not a roadblocks game

[@averagegalaxygamer4430]

Holy balls I haven't seen this video in 10 years!

[@Bkn348og]

REE

[@blitzkrieg634]

My first ever locomotive. It was on my T.V but hey, its still my first train and I've loved them ever since

[@cillianmurphy8652]

🆒

[@cobracorporal6738]

Me too

[@suruga-sannma]

I am Japanese. I really like the Southern Pacific Railroad X4449. I really like that train whistle and the spinning headlights. In Japan, I think the rotating headlights are only on the 7000 series on the Nagoya Railroad. Compared to Japanese SL Vehicles from other countries are very big. I want to see it live once.

[@thomasavensjr.2790]

The 4449 looks fantastic in this "American Freedom Train" paint scheme, that train was very popular during 1975-76 and hopefully in the future sometime this locomotive will receive this paint scheme once again for a national pride event.

[@kempmt1]

In 1975, the Freedom Train paid a visit to Wichita Falls, YTx. I was 6yrs old at the time.

[@NORI_002EDITZZ]

0:00 i like the whistle

[@colizai1689]

I've been a fan of this train since 2009.

[@cobracorporal6738]

I've been a fan since 2005 and I was 5 years old

[@dil55rai]

nice whistle for sp 4449

[@NextTempo]

This train made freedom possible 4449 got repainted just for freedom what a legendary train

[@toysallyear]

1:29 has got to be so classic! I can’t stop listening it after like, idk 2 years. And now it’s 2024. An Operation Life Saver Caboose? That’s cool!

[@Drewster327]

as patriotic as those colors are, She should remain in her original Daylight colors we All LOVE

[@john72ss]

she is now!

[@JociGnoatto]

I remember watching this when I was 2..

[@kgosimakokwe224]

Cool American Freedom train

[@bradfordthompson8326]

What a neat Group and bunch of hard working Group........Locomotives like SP 4449 CONTINUE TO INSPIRE OTHER GROUPS TO RESTORATION OF THEIR FAVORITE STEAM LOCOMOTIVE 🚂😀

[@mackdog832]

I was fortunate enough to have seen her at the Lawrence Massachusetts freight yard in 1976......we played patriotic songs and hymns from the carrillon of the tower of Sacred Heart Church to honor her.....then got to see the freedom train which was a moving smithsonian museum.....was a great memory.......

[@moonwalker5058]

Mr. Dick Samuels was on the caboose, he is the owner of the Oregon Pacific Railroad. That is one beautiful steam locomotive by the way!

[@kgosimakokwe224]

American Freedom train is the best train in America 🇺🇸

[@Coalbacob]

So, 4449/4450 AFT 1St and Reading And Northern OR Chesapeake And Ohio 2101 AFT is 2nd?

[@toysallyear]

0:00 and 1:25 my favorite part

[@LEE_1076]

0:01 I love how they make the Smokebox grab-irons look like little mouths ❤ and Daylight has a cute little smile!

[@searchanddiscover]

man if my generation were to have an american freedom train today, someone would surely make a political correctness case out of it and claim it was offensive to those who aren't american. We really need to do another american freedom train again.

[@mikeytrains1]

Though I don’t care much for 4449, she does look beautiful in this livery. Next time around she should be in it again!

[@stuartadamsrailfanningvideos]

I was on this trip! My first two train rides ever were behind steam locomotives: SP&S 700 in 1999, and SP 4449 just 4 years later in 2003!

[@feese_757]

I miss my 6 year old days

[@jacksalvin364]

Southern Pacific Daylight 4449 was still in Freedom Train colors after she pulls 14 excursion in March 2002, she pulls the short train in June 2003.

[@thebrantfordrailfan]

i may be canadian but i think the 4449 looks stunning in those colors!

[@chndlrrr]

So true! I am also Canadian!

[@Trains4Fun]

Yeah I think great too!!

[@AldaineDickensFan]

TheBrantfordRailfan 708k bbb

[@gerardoramon9843]

I'm mexican and I also think the same.

[@mattbreig9546]

TheBrantfordRailfan kooooo

[@evanlowe5528]

Nice to meet you engineer!

[@boardman49]

Somebody forgot to turn on the Mars light.

[@cykablyatman6242]

here comes that freedom train

[@nathancorcoran5347]

Very cool video of Southern Pacific 4449 with it’s American Freedom Train paint scheme returned since 2002.

[@turnoutjim]

Why is it when I see these old steamers, I always think of "Field Of Dreams"; "Build it and they will come...."

[@jackclemens8320]

I used to live in portland so I was lucky enough to ride on this train when i was growing up

[@EngineerDaylight]

The guy at 0:28 looks like he's so confused by hearing 4449's air horn

[@kadenrobinson7067]

Lol

[@jackthefront-loaderenterta2K11]

the american freedom train returns

[@keonecapan4742]

Imagine the freedom train is all over 10 years i think

[@AODProds]

#4449 has a great Hancock 3-chime boat whistle. 01:30-01:40 was the best in my opinion. -Alex

[@SuperFoxyRailwayProduction6702]

1:30 1:40

[@TrainiacProductions]

Great looking steamer there!

[@allenra530]

When I was in elementary school my uncle and aunt lived near Sellwood Park. 4449 and several other locomotives were on short sections of track next to the railroad there by Oaks Park. My uncle, an SP engineer between Portland and Eugene, told my brothers and I about the engines. We walked down there and spent several hours getting stuck by blackberry thorns as we forced our way around the chainlink enclosure to see them from all sides.

[@pablopinacho1259]

1:59 this is the part where uhhh.. Let's say the 4449 American Freedom Southern Pacific with an 10 car excursion train on the trail and it following Madison Chock and Evan Bates with the American flag!!!! OHhhhh that would be so cool to see a steam train with American Olympic Skating dynamic ice duo Madison Chock and Evan Bates flying the flag!!!!😎😎😎😎😎😎

[@pablopinacho1259]

And Madison Chock would say... Madison Chock: Follow us, 4449!!! 4449: Right behind you, Madison Chock and Evan Bates!!!!

[@Hired_49.-ri]

I drove 4449 this year

[@BladeLigerV]

Nothin' better then the sound of moving metal on a steam engine.

[@saxonaudio]

Dude this locomotives popular all around the country myself included.

[@Thefirebirdcall]

Best ending 10/10

[@jackyknr3320]

Un véritable monument sur rail quelle merveille

[@celrailfan4449]

This was the first actual steam locomotive (I think) that I've seen outside of Thomas the tank engine and when I saw it, it was love at first sight

[@kingofthemonsters3712]

This is the first one I've seen outside of Thomas as well

[@anthonynigri8585]

I hope 4449 gets to be back in the livery she looked amazing in the livery and a I also hope she gets to wear it again in 2026 when Ross Rowland brings back the American Freedom Train

[@ANTHONY-yj8rl]

Day out with Thomas should get events here

[@EvergreenRailVideo]

i was on this trip! it was a lot of fun.

[@vuurvrrailfanner4656]

This is so cool i thought it wasn’t real but its real!

[@PennRailVideos]

That is such a sweet engine.

[@nathancorcoran5347]

One of those sweet engines.

[@potzahasee01]

They have the 844... but now for some of us BNSF guy's yes haha. But the hand signals in the cab and how to run a it is hard to just pass on to someone and work he has done with it he should be running it.

[@mikey1600]

they were going paint old glory on the tender, But Desert storm broke out. Union pacific who owns 4449 said the next the set was brought out again would be in full colors of 1776 & 1976

[@logansmith4672]

Also SP 4449 is owned by the Oregon heritage center

[@AtTheCrossingProductions]

Logan Smith Yes...Still though. Union Pacific own the locomotive witch is the reason for the Sothern Pacific 4449 and Union Pacific 844 run back in 2007.

[@Coalbacob]

1:30 after looking for years I have finally found the original

[@Slipperyisimproving]

AFT #4449 back due to 9/11. SP&S #700 is there too. That's a good way to honor those that died in 9/11. SP&S #700 and SP #4449 are good looking steam locomotives.

[@SenpaiPhaser]

I was born on 29 of June 2003 too wow 😳

[@nonettejuan5528]

OH WOW COOL

[@swagboyspeedrunner_mario8996]

The real queen of america

[@xemus30]

4449: im the real freedom train. 4460: IM YOUR COUSIN IT'S NOT JUST YOU!!!!!!!

[@ottomatic6432]

4449: Yeah well I still operate and you don't. No hard feelings.

[@goldgamercommenting2990]

@@ottomatic6432 Big Boy 4014: imma just watch this Challenger 3985: d’oh you shut up

[@LeviathanVZ]

do they constantly change its colors or something?

[@xianeli8473]

There is more than one sp 4449

[@john72ss]

no, there is only one sp #4449

[@BalticFilms144]

4449 was only done up twice as AFT, once in BNSF black, later 1943 Warbaby black, then two phases of the Daylight scheme. It hasn't changed much since 2004.

[@bk5593]

Now that's art!!

[@ntytp]

Fact: 4449 was in this livery to pull a train in honor of 9/11

[@jackyknr3320]

Fantastique locomotive 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@JAILRail]

Happy Independence Day 2016!

[@Hired_49.-ri]

Ding dong ding dong ding don

[@Angelhase1]

Ich liebe Dampfloks besonder die US Loks die haben so einen geilen Sound der ist mega Geil.

[@erwinroon2094]

i wish she was still in this color

[@aubreypriddy6546]

I was able to see this train in 1976 in Norfolk, VA at the Sewell's Point yard showing them exhibits. I even took pictures of it.

[@adamhinkle7982]

Boy it's moving fast. It doesn't get run that fast anymore on the OPR.

[@LoveAllTrains]

I did take footage in 2001 when it was painted black. I'll do my best to get it uploaded in a timely manner.

[@potzahasee01]

Maybe but would not be as good looking as oil you know that nice black ploom lol, but gas would work but I don't know how well it would run with it.

[@Azwarrior94]

She wasn't ruined by the orange and red paint scheme. That was the train's initial paint scheme.

[@lylec7755]

This was posted in 2008 5th of June and my birthday was in 2009 5th of June

[@kjfitzgerald593]

Sure wish I could have pedaled beside this one like the other cyclists shown in the video! I only got to see the AFT and 4449 standing still at Ft. Gillem, GA during it's tour in 1976, but I do feel lucky that I got to see it at all. Thanks for posting this.

[@Trains4Fun]

Interesting. I thought this was a yellow/Orange locomotive. Is this a new paint job for this engine. It's prettty cool!

[@ylwpyro9549]

It is cool! You're right, the "Daylight" was originally painted red, orange, black, and silver, but in the 1970s, it was restored to operational condition and painted in red, white and blue for its excursion as the American Freedom Train, for the US Bicentennial in 1976. Afterwards, it was painted all black, similar to how the other Southern Pacific GS-4 locomotives were painted. After 9/11, the locomotive was repainted in the American Freedom Train colors as a tribute to those who lost their lives, which is why it's painted that way in this video. SP 4449 now wears its original Southern Pacific colors, and it is still in operation on fan excursions and tours.

[@EvergreenRailVideo]

hey i think i remember you having footage of the 4449 when it was painted black and ran between portland and wishram and back? do you still have it and could you please post it up?

[@Bkn348og]

At the start of video that’s a horn sound in Roblox and also 1:30 is to

[@T128Productions]

0:21 That’s her actual horn. During regular service, the air horn was used more frequently than the whistle. Same goes for the other locomotives around the time diesels we’re introduced.

[@recrivojamonjrdinmon5379]

4449 🚩

[@Strasburg1991]

there was a 5 chime on 4449 in the late 1970's

[@sebastianaraya1139]

THE BEST TRAIN IN THE WORLD ¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡

[@treasurevalleytrackside9527]

Very cool!

[@Nerd537]

This is most old years ago 11

[@erikwallace5934]

ohh dressing on 4449 I just though its two locomotives of SP 4-8-4!

[@PoetryETrain]

Thank you, appreciated, and added to a playlist...

[@christinahartley209]

Ayo its Ross rolland

[@Stupidaso2]

i think Doyal should let some of UP Engineers drive 4449 insted of him. It would be great experience for the engineers to drive a steam engine once in their careers.

[@john72ss]

so 100 people dislike this????? wow!

[@Hyenaguy]

Wow

[@mihalichdata1]

i would love to be the engineer

[@javierrprailfan]

great!!!!!!!

[@potzahasee01]

Only one way to find out I guess... We should fix up the 4460 and try it on that first:)

[@deklan246]

I love steam trains

[@pyrodragon7476]

I have a ho version of this variant. My only big steam engine

[@mtl6113]

I rode 611 and someone on the train who owns SP 4449 but I can't rembe. who owns it can anyone tell me

[@vaughndavidson5096]

The city of Portland Oregon.

[@EaiAraruama2024]

SP 4449 Freedom Train 4449

[@larrylongjr.5524]

American train!🚂🇺🇸

[@kmcstechrec4156]

1:30 ro scale whistle

[@daviddooley5361]

At 35 seconds into the video it say 4th and Division Place, WRONG!!!! 4th and Division place is a bit north and the location seen is closer to the Oregon Ril Heritage center which is right across from OMSI.

[@thomasdeturk5142]

20 years ago today