I originally posted this on my old website on March 26, 2009.
Continued from NRM #2955 James J. Gilmore…
Southern Pacific Daylight 4-8-4 #4449 on December 14, 2008
On Sunday, December 14, 2008, the last scheduled day of the Holiday Express, a rare snowstorm descended on Portland.
Southern Pacific Daylight 4-8-4 #4449 on December 14, 2008
Initially the Holiday Express was going to be cancelled for the day.
Southern Pacific Daylight 4-8-4 #4449 on December 14, 2008
After some riders arrived despite the weather, two runs were made before the weather deteriorated even more.
Southern Pacific Daylight 4-8-4 #4449 on December 14, 2008
The rest of the event was cancelled for the safety of drivers, who were having difficulty on the road leading to Oaks Park, which was beginning to freeze.
Southern Pacific Daylight 4-8-4 #4449 on December 14, 2008
I braved the snow and rode the first of the two runs, and took pictures and video of the second run from the ground.
Southern Pacific Daylight 4-8-4 #4449 on December 14, 2008
This was a rare opportunity to see #4449 operating in the snow.
Doyle McCormack in the cab of #4449 on December 14, 2008
Southern Pacific Daylight 4-8-4 #4449 on December 14, 2008
Southern Pacific Daylight 4-8-4 #4449 on December 14, 2008
Holiday Express Platform at Oaks Park on December 14, 2008
In addition to the steam train ride, speeder rides were also offered, but due the snow the speeders weren't running on the last day.
Speeders at Oaks Park on December 14, 2008
Oregon Pacific's SamTrak caboose was also parked there for both weekends.
SamTrak Caboose #900 at Oaks Park on December 14, 2008
Here are pictures of some of the Holiday Express passenger cars in the snow at Oaks Park.
PNWC Sleeper-Lounge #600 Mount Hood on December 14, 2008
PNWC Sleeper-Lounge #600 Mount Hood on December 14, 2008
DLMX Coach #1210 Plum Creek on December 14, 2008
PNWC Coach #6200 on December 14, 2008
NRM Observation #2955 James J. Gilmore on December 14, 2008
The following pictures were taken from inside the James J. Gilmore round-end observation car as it led the train during the reverse move toward East Portland.
Aboard the ORHF Holiday Express on December 14, 2008
Aboard the ORHF Holiday Express on December 14, 2008
Aboard the ORHF Holiday Express on December 14, 2008
The following photos were taken from the Gordon N. Zimmerman baggage car heading back to Oaks Park.
View from the ORHF Holiday Express on December 14, 2008
Ross Island Bridge in Portland, Oregon on December 14, 2008
Willamette River in Portland, Oregon on December 14, 2008
Southern Pacific Daylight 4-8-4 #4449 on December 14, 2008
Southern Pacific Daylight 4-8-4 #4449 on December 14, 2008
The following pictures show #4449 departing Oaks Park on the second trip of the day.
Southern Pacific Daylight 4-8-4 #4449 on December 14, 2008
PNWC Sleeper-Lounge #600 Mount Hood on December 14, 2008
Southern Pacific Daylight 4-8-4 #4449 on December 14, 2008
Southern Pacific Daylight 4-8-4 #4449 on December 14, 2008
Southern Pacific Daylight 4-8-4 #4449 on December 14, 2008
The video below was filmed on December 14, 2008. All the footage aboard the train was from the first run and the footage on the ground was from the second run.
