Tom is right: that was, indeed, back in 1981,
just after the 3208 had been cut off in
at the Tehama wye, after helping the train
from K Falls to Tehama. They needed a locomotive
that could provide steam heat over the Cascades,
and, according to an earlier post here on AP
by "WAF", were only able to get non-steam-
boiler-equipped freight locomotives for that cold
journey. According to WAF, the 4449 had gotten
a load of bad fuel, and that is why she needed
the helpers.

I remember being in the baggage car back then,
and it was so COLD in the Cascades then (April)
that all but 6 of us die-hard 4449 lovers voluntarily
left the baggage car for the warmer coaches!

The 3208 was rushed up to K Falls and there was
no time to turn her around, so she ran backwards
on that westbound (southbound) run. My son
says he remembers thinking the 3208 looked
weird running backwards with her flat rear end
leading, up against the 4449's tender. The 4449
did not run with the extra tender back then.

A good friend of mine had the honor of being
allowed to help clean and polish the 3208 before
she ran up to K Falls. They did an excellent job,
wouldn't you agree?

Margaret
(Gawd, I miss those SDP-45s!)