The Amtrak Transcontinental Steam Excursion was a special excursion train operated by Amtrak in 1977. Southern Pacific 4449, fresh from pulling the Freedom Train and still in Bicentennial colors, led the excursion. The train traveled from Birmingham, AlabamatoPortland, Oregon by way of New Orleans, Louisiana and Los Angeles, a distance of 3,655 miles (5,882 km). The journey encompassed nineteen days. The train carried thousands of passengers, and thousands more visited during its many intermediate stops.
SP 4449 had been out-of-service since 1957 and on display in Portland, Oregon since 1958. It was restored to service in 1974-1975 in order to pull the Freedom Train, which it did in 1975-1976 as part of the United States Bicentennial. The conclusion of these activities found the locomotive in the Southern United States.[1]: 7
The excursion was scheduled to begin at Birmingham, Alabama on April 13 and conclude in Portland, Oregon on May 1. Multi-day stops were scheduled for New Orleans, Louisiana, San Antonio, Texas, El Paso, Texas, Los Angeles, and Oakland, California:[2]: 21
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The total length of the journey was 3,655 miles (5,882 km). On average, the train traveled 300 miles (480 km) per day, its progress slowed by the many stops it made along the way. Passengers could ride individual segments or the entire route; a ticket for the latter cost $299.[3]
A huge crowd greeted 4449 and the excursion on their arrival in Portland, Oregon. 3,000 passengers were aboard for the final segment.[4]
A wide variety of restored equipment operated on the excursion. Not all cars traveled for the entire trip; equipment changes took place in New Orleans and Los Angeles.[2]: 14
| Number | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham–Portland | ||
| #76 | Crew/tool car | Owned by the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. For SP 4449. |
| #3644 | Parlor car | The Nathan Hale, ex-Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) #7144. |
| #1117 | Baggage car | Ex-Northern Pacific Railway (NP) #211. |
| #3965 | Snack-bar coach | Ex-NYC #3022. |
| #3925 | Snack-bar coach | Ex-Pere Marquette Railway (PM) #135. |
| #6024 | Coach | Ex-Seaboard Air Line Railroad (SAL) #6226. |
| Birmingham–Los Angeles | ||
| #9545 | Vista-Dome dome coach | The "Silver Vision", ex-Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad (CB&Q) #4730. |
| #9542 | Vista-Dome dome coach | The "Silver Stream", ex-CB&Q #4727. |
| #9310 | Dome-lounge-observation | Ex-Wabash Railroad (WAB) #1601. |
| Birmingham–New Orleans | ||
| #6008 | Coach | Ex-Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O) #1609. |
| #8339 | Tavern-lounge | Ex-New York Central Railroad (NYC) #457. |
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