SP 4449 With No Steam Whistle?
Not all horns are created the same!
Ok, we all know that the steam whistle is what we expect to hear when seeing a steam locomotive, right?
Well, in this case, Southern Pacific’s #4449 is using a Leslie A-200 nicknamed ( “the fog horn”).
The use of the horn was actually fairly common back when steam power was being used for regular service all over the country.
I know we don’t like to hear it, but air horns were actually was much better suited for safety purposes for grade crossings while the whistle was used most of the other times, including calling signals.
SP4449 is shown here steaming by Diamond Bluff, Wisconsin, on her way to towards Michigan.
Back in her heyday, SP #4449 runs included the coast route along the Pacific Ocean from Los Angeles to San Francisco and on to Portland, Oregon. Called the Southern Pacific “Daylight“, she could make this 470 mile run totally during daylight hours due to her ability to go 100 mph!
Quick Facts
- Rail Line: Southern Pacific
- Train Name: SP steam engine 4449 Northern Type
- Power type: 4-8-4 Steam Locomotive GS-4
- Builder: Lima Locomotive Works
- Maximum speed: 100 MPH
- Locomotive and tender weight: 870,000 lbs
- Nickname: The Coast Daylight – Los Angeles to San Francisco and Portland
Let us know if you have ever had the chance to take a SP4449 excursion run! We would love to hear about your experience!
