The 4449's run up the Columbia River July 3rd, 2009

I started in the town of Lyle after having spent the night at the Lyle Hotel (I highly recommend it for railfanning the Gorge). After the caravan passed by I shot down SR 14 (not speeding) to Avery. Everyone had massed at the crossing, but I tore down the dusty road to the gravel mine and was the lone foamer there. I had the convenience of scouting out possibilities the day before. The last shot was taken about 25 miles up the highway where I was again the single foamer! A nagging exception detector warns the crew of a hot journal after evidently reading the firebox of the locomotive!

[@Mikemixolydian]

I like how you get a good long look at the train from a distance before it even reaches the runby point here. Watching her go through the two tunnels in the first shot was exhilarating. FANTASTIC! Encore, encore

[@janaka667]

Excellent photography. Love the sense you captured of that train in that lonely but spectacular landscape. (Chortled at the on-air chatter from the sensors, too. Very nice touch.)

[@JETZcorp]

This is so cool, because I recognize the Lyle and Avery spots, and even camped at that second one at Avery. Anyway, look at how clean she was running that day. Not a hint of smoke or wasted oil to be seen! Per passenger, she's actually destroying the mileage of a Toyota Prius.

[@BAgee58]

Nice pan shots.and I like the scanner talk it's always funny to hear the defect detector go off with a steamer. CAN"T WAIT TO GET TO MICHIGAN!!!!!!!!!!! 4449 has had the jacketing replaced (non asbestos) re:Trains magazine. Hence the lack of smoke and a capable fireman doesn't hurt either

[@Fiddleman200616]

Awesome video!!! I wish I could have got down there to see it. Keep up the good work. Love your videos!

[@MasCoRailbuff]

Thanks for the info, don't know when I'll be down your way, nice home for the 2472!

[@duckdogger]

Good work. Great opening music.

[@MasCoRailbuff]

Thanks, I felt very lucky to be there!

[@deloreanman14]

Gorgeous....I'm so irritated I missed her when she left home on the 3rd. I'll probably head into the gorge on the 20th of October when she makes her way home.

[@yankeeshogun]

Great show!

[@Bjornv1975]

Excellent job!!!!

[@MasCoRailbuff]

it usually means that an axle bearing is hot and would qualify as a defect. In this case the detector was misreading the firebox of the steam engine (behind axle six) so the train was allowed to proceed.

[@MasCoRailbuff]

That was the general idea here. It's not just to show a 20 second runby, the beauty of the whole environment plays a part.

[@BAgee58]

I wish! But I am going to Michigan, Tickets for all three excursions. I have never seen the 4449 in person , Can't wait

[@MasCoRailbuff]

Yes, I did send them the link to this today.

[@MasCoRailbuff]

thanks, fiddleman.

[@Mikemixolydian]

MasCoRailbuff, I recomend when you get a chance to submit your footage to Marcam Productions in support of this magnifiecient Machine.

[@MasCoRailbuff]

If it is being fired efficiently you won't see much smoke at all, When they sand the flues for a photo run-by, that's when you get the smoke.

[@Metracab123]

wHAT kIND oF cAMERA Is This? Awesome Video

[@KSE828]

what the heck is a hot journal?

[@MasCoRailbuff]

are you on the crew?

[@MasCoRailbuff]

OIC, well good onya then.

[@MasCoRailbuff]

Canon Vixia HF100

[@KSE828]

HAHA you said it all!