From pictures I've seen of #4449 when it was pulled, it looked pretty shabby from exposure to the elements, but was largely intact. #4449 was retired in post-Daylight black with no skirts, so the look was quite different from the beautiful engine we're used to today.

When Nickel Plate Road Master Boilermaker Joe Karal first went to Oaks Park in 1974 to look at the Daylight for the Freedom Train - he begged them to rebuild the SP&S 700 instead! The 700 had ALL roller bearing axles and a boiler in better condition. The subsequent Daylight repairs put her behind schedule for Freedom Train duty - and the Reading 2101 was rebuilt in 30 days( or so) to innaugerate the Train with steam! The Daylight later made it to Chicago to relieve the 2101 - about 4 or 5 months late; if I recall.

From a mechanical standpoint, nobody could fault Joe Karal. But from a historic view, I'm glad 4449 was chosen. The Daylight design became the theme of the Freedom Train, and her successful restoration ultimately got #700 restored as well.

IIRC, Jack was in his younger 30's.

Smokebox