SKU: LA

Southern Pacific 'Daylight' 4-8-4 4449 and Union Pacific 4-8-4 8444 travelled to Los Angeles, California in May, 1989 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the famed Union Passenger Terminal. Mark 1 camera crews were on hand to document the epic journeys of these two great locomotives as they conquered mountain and desert to make a triumphant side-by-side entrance into the classic terminal.
Dramatic steam action abounds as with skillful editing from Marc Balkin and the ever enthusiastic commentary from host Jim Boyd, the excitement builds steadily. The action switches between the 4449 racing south down the highly scenic California coastline and the 8444 blasting westwards up heavy grades and through twisting canyons towards their meeting at Mission Tower just outside LAUPT. There they come together for that grand, full of drama entrace into Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal. Here you'll enjoy the festivities which included the steam & diesel displays, interviews with Engineers Doyle McCormack (4449) & Steve Lee (8444) and special commemorative ceremonies.

Three days later, after the festivities were over, the two locomotives left town for the grand spectacle of a double and parallel assault on Cajon Pass. Witness the action set in dramatic scenery that at times dwarfs even these giant locomotives. We then stay with the 4449 as she curves away to journey over Tehachapi and on to Bakersfield, Fresno and Sacramento. During this final part of the journey we visit 4449's cab for a very exciting sequence when the 4449 acclerates from 20 to 60 mph in a little over three minutes *VHS*