Last Tuesday, while walking in the nighborhood, I heard a steam whistle. In checking the news I read that there was an Historic Rail meeting in Tacoma with the highlight being 4449, which would be returning to Portland Sunday morning.

Which is convenient as the mainline is right behind the pasture fence. On Sunday morning I was at the crossing when she appeared about a mile up the track. Just As God Intended. At track speed, a plume of steam, drawing a consist full of paying customers. And, to wrap it up, the last car was a CZ observation.

Perfect.

Yep, she's quite a machine.
I will always remember the shake down cruise right after the restoration.
What sounds, what a sight.

Yeah. Sparkling clean and haulin'.

Apparently she took a tour over Stampede last week as part of the convention.