Found Some Old Slides of the 4449 From 1976, Hot Water is that You?

No, that is Al Philips, who has been currently working at the steam shop in Chattanooga, TN ( The Tennessee Valley RR). Al retired from the engine room of steam ships, after many, MANY years of service.

I didn't think it was you. That guy is to good looking to be you. LOL 

Don

There was an earlier posting of an inside-cab shot of a young and rather handsome HW. Then again, we were all young and better looking! Tomorrow, I turn 77! YIKES!

It's still amazing to me that the Freedom Train actually ran. Kudos to Ross Rowland.

Tinplate Art posted:

There was an earlier posting of an inside-cab shot of a young and rather handsome HW. Then again, we were all young and better looking! Tomorrow, I turn 77! YIKES!

You mean this photo, from the 1984 New Orleans Worlds Fair Daylight?

I'm already past 77, by the way.

Now wait just a cotton-pickin’ minute.

The throttle is on the roof, but the reverser is on center. And I think you’re sitting still. What’s goin’ on here, Jack?

Rich Melvin posted:

Now wait just a cotton-pickin’ minute.

The throttle is on the roof, but the reverser is on center. And I think you’re sitting still. What’s goin’ on here, Jack?

Not much to do at 65+ MPH on a slight up-grade. It's all in the Fireman's hands at that point. No grade crossings, out in the middle of nowhere, on the Southern Pacific Sunset Route main line. Just watch for signals and pay attention to the exhaust sound and what the Pilot is telling you.

REALLY COOL, or should I say ... HOT ... water !!! ???   Hi ! Hi !

Nice Picture.

One of my favorites!  Thanks for posting!

Ah...so the reverse is not on center. She’s hooked up just slightly ahead of center. I can only imagine now sharp the exhaust had to be with the throttle wide open and a nice, short cutoff.

Rich Melvin posted:

Ah...so the reverse is not on center. She’s hooked up just slightly ahead of center. I can only imagine now sharp the exhaust had to be with the throttle wide open and a nice, short cutoff.

Correct, i.e. "the company notch" on the reverse gear, with about 5 to 7 pounds back pressure at that speed.

Absolutely Rich.  In fact, after that many month "New Orleans Death March", the hearing in my left ear was SERIOUSLY diminished, and slowly returned after a few months. Someone said, "Why didn't you wear ear plugs?", and I responded, "Why would I? That would be like sitting in the front row of the Chicago Symphony  while wearing ear plugs!"  Nothing like the music from a Lima Super Power locomotive at speed.

By the way, I never experienced any ill effects in my left ear, over the long haul, after all those years of firing 4449, 844, or 3985.

Living in New Orleans back then we attended the Fair and caught a glimpse of the Daylight but didn't know anything about 'real' trains in those days...    :-(

Later in the 1990s I met a couple of fellas who flew to Houston and caught the trip into New Orleans from there.

I was hoping Don's photo would've been from 1977 because then I might not have been in the cab but I was in a vestibule on one of the passenger cars with some buddies from BAERA (Rio Vista Junction) as we rode behind 4449 from Salinas to Oakland.

Edit: As I was thinking about my response I realized - shortly after Don's picture was taken, a few days later, I participated in my first "chase" as a group of us followed the 4449 on her way East from Sacramento to Sparks, Nevada.  Also ended up being the first time I gambled in a casino.

I was in ground school at America West.  The instructor let me out of class to watch you go by - right outside the classroom on the Tempe track.  

I wound up a very senior Airbus captain - but that was a nice beginning.