SP 4449 through the Gorge 4-11-18 (w/ pacing!)

For a few days in April 2018, SP 4449 led a shiny string of silver BNSF business cars along the Columbia River Gorge between Vancouver and Wishram, WA. The locomotive was invited by the BNSF to participate in the taping of a promotional/educational IMAX film to premiere sometime in the future.

I chased the train on April 11th, starting in Vancouver and making my way down the line to Skamania. This was one of several stops that the train made so the film crews could reposition the large IMAX camera. At Wishram, the train was turned on the wye and stopped in Avery for servicing and more camera adjustments before continuing back to Vancouver.

With the recent announcement of Amtrak no longer wanting to sponsor charter excursions and special trains, the future of 4449's mainline outings is uncertain. The locomotive's all-volunteer crew have a good relationship with BNSF and events like this help to ensure that the engine will be invited back, at least on private occasions.

All footage was filmed with my Samsung Galaxy S7 and edited with VideoPad video editor. Be sure to watch in 1080p and turn up those speakers!

As always, thanks for watching!

[ Chapters ]
Intro - 0:00
Departing Vancouver, WA eastbound - 00:25
BNSF westbound freight at Skamania - 00:45
4449 arrives at Skamania - 1:55
Changing IMAX camera positions - 3:20
4449 departs Skamania - 4:12
4449 at Stevenson - 6:05
Pacing 4449 - 6:43
Along the Columbia River - 11:48
Horsethief Lake Overlook - 12:10
Train arriving at West Avery after being turned - 13:05
Servicing at West Avery, westbound garbage train - 13:28
4449 westbound through Ellsworth - 14:20
4449 arrives at Vancouver station - 15:45
4449 pulls out of station - 17:29