The SP 4449 takes a break before entering the storage facility at Harrison Street in Minneapolis, MN

In this entry I'd like to blog and share my recent experience with the Southern Pacific 4449. Though this wasn't my first experience seeing steam in action it was indeed an exhilarating experience. Among the countless diesel locomotives gracing the rails this day and age seeing steam is always a welcomed something site and experience. One would be hard pressed to find a railfan that didn't find a place in their heart for steam. After all it's not every day something as beautiful as the SP 4449 comes racing down the rails. I was following the progress of this train using the GPS tracking system they have. It was fun watching it depart Fargo, ND and move through western and central Minnesota.

Numerous railfans including, my father, were able to watch this beauty roll into Staples, MN where it stopped for brief servicing. Fellow railfan Jim Ramnes wrote up a nice blog entry of his own sharing his experiences. Railfans Mike Vandenberg and Ian Holmes also shared their positive experiences as well. I find it interesting to see others perspective and read about their experience as well.

Knowing the SP 4449 was coming through our area on its way to Michigan for several months, I was becoming increasingly more excited to see this beautiful locomotive firsthand. The chance to see this locomotive in action was even more appealing! Luckily, for the most part the weather worked in my favor. Generally overcast skies would mean that there would be less chance for the "high sun" phenomena to wreak havoc on any photos taken. There wasn't any rain or storms that were part of the original forecast for the area, which was an added bonus. I had originally planned to head up to Elk River to watch this train race through the curves however my plans changed when I learned that there was extensive work being done and slow orders were in place for trains passing through town. Despite the clouds I set up for some photos and video. The train departed Fargo at 8:00AM and ran on the BNSF's Staples Sub. The train had planned stops in Staples and Saint Cloud but would also be forced to stop for traffic in Becker. Once things cleared it was highball and she was back up to speed. I was finally going to see this beautiful locomotive!

Hearing the SP 4449 on the radio I knew it was getting close. The next time I would look up I would see the headlight racing around the curve a half a mile ahead of me or so. Unfortunately there was no whistle due to the quiet zones that are common all over the metro area. Despite that it was extremely exciting to once again see live steam in action. I was ready with anticipation and within a few moments later it was out of sight.

I headed south, I was hoping I would be able to grab some more photos of this train. I would be in luck as I eventually found countless railfans at Minneapolis Junction snapping photos and recording video all over the place. I quickly found a place to park and included myself in the photography frenzy. Eventually the Amtrak unit and some of the passenger cars were cut away from the train. The Amtrak unit would then bring the cars that had been cut away to the Midway Amtrak station in Saint Paul for temporary storage.

I snapped some more photos after the Amtrak unit was cut off. Soon the 4449 would slowly pull forward and into the fenced in area near the Harrison Street engine facility. This facility also happens to be home of the Milwaukee Road 261. More photos were taken near the facility and a smaller crowd came to watch the 4449 pull into the facility. It was a very tight fit and a torch was used to modify some of the shop deck. After the modifications were complete the locomotive was finally able to completely enter the facility where it will rest until July 18. On July 18, the locomotive will head from Minneapolis to Chicago as part of the "Friends of the 261" steam excursion. Eventually the train will ultimately end up in Michigan for Train Festival 2009.

For more information on the SP 4449 and to track the locomotive's progress I urge you to check out their website.

For those of you who use Twitter, you can also follow them here.

If you are interested, my favorite SP 4449 shots taken by me can be seen here.

My excitement and interest in steam lives on! Have fun and stay safe out there!

See you trackside.