Starting on July 3rd, 2009, the famous Southern Pacific 4449 "Daylight" steam locomotive made a multi -month trip to attend the train festival in Ossowo, Michigan. The first day of the trip started in Portland and ran to Spokane. July 4th the train ran from Spokane to Whitefish, Montana. And July 5th the train continued from Whitefish to Havre, Montana. I arrived in Montana a few days prior to do some more traditional railfanning of BNSF's Hi-Line in the Kootenai River Canyon. I then return to Spokane on the 3rd so I could chase the steam train on the 4th and 5th. My familiarity with Montana allowed me to get several unquie and spetacular photo as the special made it's way east at track speed.  July 4th found the train leaving Spokane. The SP 4449 was having trouble with it's mars light this day, and that is why the upper healight is not lit. The day would take the train north across the "Funnel" to Sandpoint, and then across the ex-Great Northern Hi-Line alongside the Kootenai River and through the 7 mile long Flathead Tunnel.
	SP 4449 is easily outpacing the chasers on the Funnel as it races across the tall fill at Granite, Idaho.
	Having left most of the chasers behind in traffic choked Sandpoint, the special makes a service stop just east of Bonners Ferry before entering the rugged and isolated Kootenai River Canyon.
	A Hawk's view of the SP 4449 as it prepares to leave Crossport, Idaho.
	Cruising along the Kootenai River Canyon east of Libby, Montana.
	Passengers are enjoying the fine Montana Scenery. Sure beats the Amtrak Empire Builder which passes through here in the dark.
	SP 4449 slowing down to take the siding at Riverview, MT.
	In the hole at Riverview, but only briefly.
	SP 4449 is being put to work climbing along the Fisher River on a line change dating to the 1970 construction of  Libby Dam.
	In what would make a perfect camping spot for railfans, the SP 4449 makes for a special treat.
	The SP 4449 is diging into the grade on the approach to the Flat Head Tunnel.
	Flathead Tunnel is the second longest tunnel in the US, and this is it's first steam cleaning in a very long time.
	Things are going to get awfully dark in a hurry!
	Having drop down from the tunnel, the SP 4449 is now going all out at Stryker, Montana on the final leg into Whitefish, MT.
	Railfans (only a small portion of the actual crowd is shown) wave on the 4449 at Lupfer, Montana.
>>>Proceed on to Day 2<<<

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