I was on duty one day when I received a call to see the Sergeant at the office. The Sergeant knew I was a railroad buff and gave me the assignment to meet and escort the 4449 from the Oregon border to Black Butte, Siskiyou County in California.

He told me Oregon State Police had called and advised there were several accidents caused by drivers chasing the locomotive. I was told to do what ever it took to have an accident free passage of the 4449 though our sector. I said I could do that. I was told U.P. gave an ETA to the state line of about 1 and half hours.

I drove up to Doris and waited for the 4449 to show itself as it entered the tunnel at Doris Hill. It was not long and I saw the Mars Light entering the tunnel.

Anyone who has ever driven S.R.97 knows what a hazardous highway it is. A two lane road with one lane in each direction. There are many head-on collisions and other types of serious, injury / fatal accidents.

I drove though town, skirted the Ag. Inspection Station and set my speed at 55 mph (the speed limit then). Soon the 4449 came creeping up on me, along with a surprisingly short line of cars chasing it. I suspected there were more that were backed up at the Inspection Station.

4449 was moving at about 60 mph, so I kicked it up a little and set my position adjacent the tender(s). I was watching my rearview mirrors to see how the increasing traffic was behaving. There was some 'jockying' for position going on back there, but at least nobody made any unsafe passing movements; and nobody tried to pass me. I escorted the 4449 all the way to Black Butte without a single accident behind me.

Later on, a friend brought a video to my house to watch. It was of the 4449's trip on that day. At the end of the production was a list of credits for the production. And at the end of the credits it stated, "No thanks to the California Highway Patrol". Geez!!! A guy can't even do his job! ;o)