California IN BRIEF : SACRAMENTO : Historic Locomotive Celebration-Bound

Amid billowing plumes of steam and oil smoke, the historic Southern Pacific 4449 locomotive was headed from Portland to Sacramento for a steam railroading celebration. The SP4449, built in 1941, is the last of 30 huge 4-8-4 engines in its class. It is billed as the star of the show for Railfair ‘91, a 10-day celebration expected to draw 300,000 visitors. Locomotives from all over the United States and Canada began steaming into Sacramento for the event. The SP4449 hauled 11 cars, 20 crew members and 350 passengers. It is painted bright orange and red, as were the old SP Daylight trains from the glory days of rail passenger service. The Daylight linked cities from Los Angeles to Seattle into the 1950s.