SR Bush:
Memories of the American Freedom Train

#1: American Freedom Train 4449 & Union Pacific Big-Boy 4014
Unless otherwise noted, all images © copyright Mr. SR Bush and may not be used elsewhere without his permission.

 

SR Bush worked on the American Freedom Train.

This first story is about the little-known connection between AFT 4449 and UP Big Boy #4014, a locomotive that (in late 2013) is headed for a massive restoration effort by the Union Pacific Railroad.

Recalls SR:

In 1975 during the Westbound leg of the AFT, there was some sort of problem with the 4449's injector.  Obviously it worked, but they weren't happy with it.  In December 1975 the train displayed in Pomona, CA at the fairgrounds.  Apparently someone noticed that, hey, the UP 4014 had a pretty go looking injector!  A deal was made, and from Pomona on the 4449 ran with the 4014's injector!

So once in Portland, the injector was removed to be returned to Pomona.   That's Doyle, his friend Dick Yager, Craig Thomas, and Tom Nosera.

 

But how to get the injector to Pomona?   Well, I was returning home to Santa Barbara and Pomona wasn't that far out of my way...

So, yep, we wrestled the thing into my '66 VW Bus and about two weeks later I delivered it to the 4014 -- my odd little part in the odd little connection between the 4449 and the 4014. 

 

Anyway, I'm pretty sure the 4014's injector works fine - good luck with the rest of it!
SR