4449 - June, 1975
Author: Bruce Butler
Date: 10-09-2013 - 09:04
The June 1975 move of 4449 south out of Portland took place on the 20th (Portland - Kalamath Falls) and the 21st (K.Falls to Sacramento).
4449 got quite dirty going through the tunnels above Oakridge OR. A bunch of us worked late into the night in K.Falls washing her.
I actually got to ride in the baggage-RPO car right behind 4449 on the 21st from K.Falls to Black Butte. It also happened to be my BIRTHDAY and I couldn't think of a better birthday present. What a ride that was!
I drove what was nicknamed the "freedom truck" from Portland to Sacto, with the exception of that K.Falls-Black Butte portion. This was a Ford truck with a toolbox bed all painted up in AFT blue & white colors.
South of Redding I got lost in an orange orchard while looking for good picture locations of the train. Looking in the rear view mirror, there were at least 3 cars following me. Apparently they thought that I knew where I was going. Bad assumption!