Amtrak's Transcontinental Steam Excursion puts on a show as it departs San Luis Obispo, California, on the morning of April 27, 1977. This excursion, led by former Southern Pacific 4-8-4 4449, is already working up the grade as it approaches Cuesta Grade. This day’s trip will end in Oakland, and then the trip continues on to Portland, Oregon – the 4449’s home. The 16 car train is also being powered by Amtrak SDP40F 527. And, yes, this sounded amazing, as the engines exhaust was reverberating all over downtown SLO! Everyone in town knew this train was leaving.
