Community Corner

Renowned Steam Train To Roll Through University Place On Sunday

The SP 4449 was built in 1941 and pulled coaches between Los Angeles and San Francisco, then onto Portland until 1955. It will make its way through Chambers Creek Properties about 9 a.m.

Local train enthusiasts can get a glimpse Sunday of a rare, art deco-era steam engine that once pulled passengers up and down the California and Oregon coasts.

The Southern Pacific 4449 steam engine will be traveling from Tacoma to Portland as part of the National Railway Historical Society's annual convention Sunday, and it's scheduled to rumble through Chambers Creek Properties about 9 a.m.

SP 4449, also known as the "Daylight," was no ordinary steam engine, according to the Friends of SP 4449 website. The 110-feet-long, 10-feet-wide, 16-feet-tall engine was built in 1941. It pulled cars from Los Angeles to San Francisco, as well as Portland, and was capable of traveling at more than 100 miles per hour. It was retired to static display in 1958, according to the website.

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It was pulled out of retirement to lead the Bicentennial American Freedom Train in 1975. Visually, the engine is quite a sight, too. Washed in bright orange and red, it will be hard to miss.

Attached is a YouTube video of the train moving through Oregon in 2007, as well as the flyer from the National Railway Historical Society.

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