I just saw a picture of 4449 on a break-in run to Wishram over the old SP&S right after its restoration in 1975. Wasn't this Burlington Northern back then? And didn't BN have a strict "No Steam" policy at the time? How did this move come about?

As my memory recalls, she was originally overhauled in the Hoyt Street roundhouse of the Burlington Northern. I don't know how the American Freedom Train Foundation arranged for this to happen. But she was not only overhauled in a BN facility but made her first post retoration break-in runs to and from Wishram.

The fact that Ross Rowland talked many "no steam" railroads into handling the Freedom Train is a testament to his skill as a communicator and salesman. BN obviously got "on-board" when Bicentennial fever struck the nation in the early 1970s. Probably more of a miracle was SP President Ben Biaggini agreeing to allow the locomotive to operate again. She had been donated with the caveat that it only operate again with the Espee's blessing.

Can you imagine the bad press that a carrier would had received if they had refused to accommodate a reasonable request to move the Freedom Train in 1975 and 1976? It was a steam operation of a magnitude that none of us will ever see again, unfortunately. Living in Illinois, I got to see 2101 and 4449 on the train.

I'm sure Ross can add many interesting details to the story if only all of us allow him to, without the usual detractors comments.

Don C.

Perhaps a book is in the offing. How about it Ross?

Les