This Saturday, July 18th, the Southern Pacific 4449, a 1941 Daylight Express steam locomotive that came out or retirement to pull the Freedom Train in 1976, is out for the first time in 30 years. It is on its way to Trainfest 2009 in Michigan. This Saturday July 18th, the 4449 starts its run to Chicago from Minneapolis at the Friends of the 261 facility at 8:00am.
I will be there taking pictures and boarding the vintage passener cars to join in on this amazing journey. The train will not be following the traditional Amtrak route, it is an express to Chicago that will be following the classic route along the mighty Missisippi. You can also track the 4449’s progress; there’s a GPS page on the engine’s website. There might still be tickets available there too!
I plan on twittering from the train, you can follow me: @mitchsterdotcom
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COOL Mitchster Meister! Our daughters would love to see the train! Where are the best places to catch a glimpse? Amtrak station in St. Paul??
Leif -
I’m not sure of the route, it’s actually starting from NE Minneapolis, at the Friends of the 261 facility, which is just north of Hennepin, behind Legend’s Bar. I’ll try to figure out their course out of town, Photos of it as it heads south along the river would be awesome! I plan on twittering from the train, you can follow me: @mitchsterdotcom
- Mitch
She looks awesome! Her route sounds wonderful too and you are so lucky to be going! I hope we’ll see lots of fantastic photos from you of the trip!
I might have to stow away on that train somewhere. Maybe in the coal bin.