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American History

vanlassie

(6,248 posts)

1. I got to see one in 1981

Reply to mahatmakanejeeves (Original post)

Fri Mar 27, 2026, 09:47 AM

Yesterday

The Southern Pacific 4449 steam locomotive passed through San Luis Obispo on May 13, 1981, en route to Railfair ’81 in Sacramento.

My husband was a student at Cal Poly. We lived beside the Southern Pacific train tracks. Early in the morning, it was misty and chilly as we silently gathered to a good viewing spot. The sound of the whistle, and then the sight of the huge engine as it came around a bend took our breath away. And then, it was gone. A great memory.

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On this day, March 27, 1960, the last scheduled steam-powered passenger train in the United States ran. [View all] mahatmakanejeeves Yesterday OP

I got to see one in 1981 vanlassie Yesterday #1