This page provides a calendar of upcoming steam train charters, photo specials, mainline steam, and other unique steam operating events. For a calendar of all other railfan events, please see the Railfan Events & Excursions Calendar. For tourist railroads offering regularly scheduled steam excursions, please see the Tourist Railroads & Museums Pages.

Please notify us of additions using the Event Additions Form. Past 2007/2008 steam specials may be found on the Steam Specials Archive Page.

Last updated August 13, 2008

AUGUST 2008

August 13: Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 #261 One-Way Excursion Minneapolis to Milwaukee
Stops at Red Wing, Winona, La Crosse, Tomah, Wisconsin Dells, Portage, and Columbus
For more information: Milwaukee Road 261
For photos: Milwaukee Road 261 Photo Gallery

August 15: Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 #261 Dinner Train from Milwaukee
Dinner train (with coach tickets available) from Milwaukee to Sturtevant, Wisconsin
For more information: Milwaukee Road 261
For photos: Milwaukee Road 261 Photo Gallery

August 16: Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad "Chama Moonlight Train"
Evening excursion from Chama to Osier, returning near midnight - Chama, New Mexico
For more information: Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
For photos: Cumbres & Toltec Photo Gallery

August 16: Steamtown Excursion to Moscow
26-mile round-trip to Tobyhanna behind Canadian National 2-8-2 #3254 - Scranton, Pennsylvania
For more information: Steamtown National Historic Site
For photos: Steamtown Photo Gallery

August 16-17: Steam Railroading Institute "Summer Steam Train for August"
Flagg Coal Co 0-4-0 Saddle Tank #75 powers 1-hour excursions from Owosso, Michigan
For more information: Steam Railroad Institute

August 16-17: Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 #261 Milwaukee to Wisconsin Dells Excursions
Daily round-trips from Milwaukee to Wisconsin Dells, plus local trips from the Dells to New Lisbon
For more information: Milwaukee Road 261
For photos: Milwaukee Road 261 Photo Gallery

August 19: Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 #261 One-Way Excursion Milwaukee to Minneapolis
Stops at Columbus, Portage, Wisconsin Dells, Tomah, La Crosse, Winona, and Red Wing
For more information: Milwaukee Road 261
For photos: Milwaukee Road 261 Photo Gallery

August 21-24: Durango & Silverton "Narrow Gauge Railfest"
Excursions with D&RGW #315 and Galloping Goose #5, plus Presidential Special - Durango, Colorado
For more information: Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
For photos: Durango & Silverton Photo Gallery

August 23: Steamtown Excursion to Moscow
26-mile round-trip to Tobyhanna behind Canadian National 2-8-2 #3254 - Scranton, Pennsylvania
For more information: Steamtown National Historic Site
For photos: Steamtown Photo Gallery

August 23-24: Steam Railroading Institute "Summer Steam Train for August"
Flagg Coal Co 0-4-0 Saddle Tank #75 powers 1-hour excursions from Owosso, Michigan
For more information: Steam Railroad Institute

August 25-28: Union Pacific #844 on display at the Democratic National Convention
UP 4-8-4 #844 on public display at the DNC; positioning moves from Cheyenne to-be-announced late July - Denver, Colorado
For more information: Union Pacific Steam Schedule
For photos: Union Pacific 844 Photo Gallery

August 29-31: Steamtown "Lackawanna Railfest 2008"
Planned events include operation of CN 3254 and CP 2317, steam excursion to Moscow (Saturday), diesel excursion from Cresco to Steamtown (Saturday), visiting diesel and steam equipment, trolley rides at the Electric City Trolley Museum, and  more - Scranton, Pennsylvania
For more information: Steamtown National Historic Site
For photos: Steamtown Photo Gallery

August 29-September 1: Whitewater Valley Railroad Steam Weekend
Flagg Coal Co 0-4-0 Saddle Tank #75 operates from Metamora, Indiana
For more information: Whitewater Valley Railroad

August 30-31: Little River Railroad "Train Fest 2008"
Doubleheader with Little River 4-6-2 #110 and 0-4-0T #1, plus motorcar rides - Coldwater, Michigan
For more information: Little River Railroad

August 30-September 1: Golden Gate Railroad Museum "Sunol Steam Specials"
SP 4-6-2 #2472 on the Niles Canyon Railway with morning photo charter and two afternoon round-trips to Niles on Saturday, display in Sunol on Sunday, and four round-trips to Niles on Monday - Sunol, California
For more information: Golden Gate Railroad Museum

August 30-September 1: Kentucky Railway Museum Excursion w/ L&N 152
L&N 4-6-2 #152 pulls a 22-mile round-trip from New Haven to Boston, Kentucky
For more information: Kentucky Railway Museum

August 31: Wilmington & Western Railroad "Pufferbelly Day"
WWRR 4-4-0 #98 and 0-6-0 #58 doubleheader to Mt. Cuba - Wilmington, Delaware
For more information: Wilmington & Western Railroad
For photos: Wilmington & Western Railroad Photo Galleries

SEPTEMBER 2008

September 6: Reading & Northern Excursion w/ #425 - Jim Thorpe to Pittston
GM&N 4-6-2 #425 powers an excursion through the Lehigh Gorge from Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
For more information: Reading & Northern Railroad
For photos: Reading & Northern 425 Photo Gallery

September 6: Steamtown Excursion to Nicholson over Tunkhannock Viaduct
Canadian National 2-8-2 #3254 powers an excursion from Steamtown to Nicholson - Scranton, Pennsylvania
For more information: Steamtown National Historic Site
For photos: Steamtown Photo Gallery

September 6-7: Whitewater Valley Railroad "Metamora Civil War & Steam Weekend"
Flagg Coal Co 0-4-0 Saddle Tank #75 operates from Metamora, Indiana
For more information: Whitewater Valley Railroad

September 6-7: Tweetsie Railroad "Railfan Weekend"
Two days of steam excursions with 4-6-0 #12 and 2-8-2 #190 - Blowing Rock, North Carolina
For more information: Tweetsie Railroad
For photos: Tweetsie Railroad Railfan Weekend

September 6-7: Roots of Motive Power Festival
Operates a variety of steam equipment from the California north coast logging industry - Willits, California
For more information: Roots of Motive Power

September 7-8: Cumbres & Toltec "Chama Steam Fall Madness 2008"
Two days of steam to Antonito with a Rio Grande freight - Chama, New Mexico
For more information: Chama Steam
For photos: Cumbres & Toltec Photo Gallery

September 10-13: National Narrow Gauge Convention
Annual narrow gauge convention to be held in Portland, Oregon
For more information: 28th National Narrow Gauge Convention

September 13: Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad "Chama Moonlight Train"
Evening excursion from Chama to Osier, returning near midnight - Chama, New Mexico
For more information: Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
For photos: Cumbres & Toltec Photo Gallery

September 13: Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 #261 Minneapolis to La Crescent Excursion
Round-trip excursion from Minneapolis to Winona, and from Winona to La Crescent, Minnesota
For more information: Milwaukee Road 261
For photos: Milwaukee Road 261 Photo Gallery

September 14: Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 #261 Minneapolis to La Crosse Excursion
Round-trip excursion from Minneapolis to La Crosse, Wisconsin, via CP out and BNSF return
For more information: Milwaukee Road 261
For photos: Milwaukee Road 261 Photo Gallery

September 13-14: Kentucky Railway Museum Excursion w/ L&N 152
L&N 4-6-2 #152 pulls a 22-mile round-trip from New Haven to Boston, Kentucky
For more information: Kentucky Railway Museum

September 18-22: Union Pacific #3985 on display at North Platte Railfest 2008
UP Challenger 4-6-6-4 #3985 travels Cheyenne to North Platte (Sept. 18), on display at Railfest (Sept. 19-21), and tentatively returning North Platte to Cheyenne (Sept. 22) -- an extension to Minneapolis-St. Paul is under consideration with details forthcoming.
For more information: Union Pacific Steam Schedule

September 19-21: Great Smoky Mountains Railroad "Railfest 2008"
Flagg Coal Co 0-4-0 Saddle Tank #75 visits for a three-day festival, plus heritage diesel excursions, photo special, motorcar display, and more - Bryson City, North Carolina
For more information: Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

September 20-21: Kentucky Railway Museum Excursion w/ L&N 152
L&N 4-6-2 #152 pulls a 22-mile round-trip from New Haven to Boston, Kentucky
For more information: Kentucky Railway Museum

September 20-21: Conway Scenic Railroad "Railfan Weekend"
Two days of steam excursions and demonstrations with 0-6-0 #7470 - Conway, New Hampshire
For more information: Conway Scenic Railroad
For photos: Conway Scenic Railroad Photo Gallery

September 20-21: White Mountain Central Railroad "Railroad Days"
0-4-0 Porter, Heisler, 2-4-2T Baldwin, and Railbus expected to operate - Lincoln, New Hampshire
For more information: White Mountain Central Railroad

September 20-21: West Coast Railway Heritage Park "SteamFest"
Rides behind Royal Hudson #2860, plus steam crane display, handcar rides, and more - Squamish, British Columbia, Canada
For more information: West Coast Railway Association

September 21: AAPRCO Convention Special w/ ATSF 3751
Santa Fe 4-8-4 #3751 pulls a private railcar excursion from Los Angeles to San Diego & San Pedro
For more information: AAPRCO and Trains Unlimited Tours (public tickets)

September 22: Trains Unlimited Tours "La Veta Pass Express"
Southern Pacific 2-6-0 #1744 pulls a passenger train over La Veta Pass - Alamosa, Colorado
For more information: Trains Unlimited Tours
For photos: Rio Grande Scenic Photo Gallery

September 23: Trains Unlimited Tours "La Veta Pass Photo Freight"
Southern Pacific 2-6-0 #1744 pulls a classic freight over La Veta Pass - Alamosa, Colorado
For more information: Trains Unlimited Tours
For photos: Rio Grande Scenic Photo Gallery

September 24-28: Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad "Festival of Steam"
Ohio Central 4-6-2 #1293 on display Sept. 24/25, plus excursions Sept. 27/28 - Independence, Ohio
For more information: Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

September 25-26: Trains Unlimited Tours "Rio Grande Durango Steam"
Mixed freight on the Durango & Silverton, painted in classic 1940's Rio Grande green - Durango, Colorado
For more information: Trains Unlimited Tours
For photos: Durango & Silverton Photo Gallery

September 27: Tennessee Valley Railroad "Steam All The Way"
100-mile round-trip from Chattanooga, Tennessee  to Summerville, Georgia, behind 2-8-0 #610
For more information: Tennessee Valley Railroad

September 27-28: Durango & Silverton "Fall Photographer's Special"
Two-day photo shoot on the D&SNG with overnight in Silverton, Colorado
For more information: Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
For photos: Durango & Silverton Fall Photo Specials 2006-2007

September 27-October 3: CPR Empress 2816 Excursion
Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 #2816 powers a rail tour from Calgary to Vancouver, Canada
For more information: Society of International Railway Travelers

September 29-October 1: Trains Unlimited Tours "Rio Grande Cumbres Steam"
Three day charter includes a round-trip from Chama to Antonito, plus doubleheader to Cumbres Pass.
For more information: Trains Unlimited Tours
For photos: Cumbres & Toltec Photo Gallery

OCTOBER 2008

October 3-5: Byesville Scenic Railway "Steam Weekend & Coal Miners Festival"
Ohio Central 4-6-2 #1293 to pull 7-mile round-trips from Byesville, Ohio
For more information: Byesville Scenic Railway

October 4: Steamtown Excursion to Tobyhanna
52-mile round-trip to Tobyhanna behind Canadian National 2-8-2 #3254 - Scranton, Pennsylvania
For more information: Steamtown National Historic Site
For photos: Steamtown Photo Gallery

October 4: Tennessee Valley Railroad "Autumn Leaf Special"
100-mile round-trip from Chattanooga, Tennessee  to Summerville, Georgia, behind 2-8-0 #610
For more information: Tennessee Valley Railroad

October 4-5: Oregon Coast Steam Adventure on the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad
Daylong excursions to Salmonberry with Curtiss Lumber Co. Heisler #2 - Garibaldi, Oregon
For more information: RailsNW

October 4-5: Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum "Steam Days"
Steam train rides with 1950 Saddle Tank #4 St. Elizabeth, plus the operation of 1856 4-4-0 #25 William Mason (oldest operating steam locomotive in America) - Baltimore, Maryland
For more information: Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum

October 4-5: Steam Train Bluegrass Festival w/ SP #745
Southern Pacific 2-8-2 #745 on display (under steam) at a bluegrass festival - New Orleans, Louisiana
For more information: Louisiana Steam Train Association

October 4-5: Kentucky Railway Museum Excursion w/ L&N 152
L&N 4-6-2 #152 pulls a 22-mile round-trip from New Haven to Boston, Kentucky
For more information: Kentucky Railway Museum

October 4-10: CPR Empress 2816 Excursion
Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 #2816 powers a rail tour from Vancouver to Calgary, Canada
For more information: Society of International Railway Travelers

October 5: Steamtown Excursion to Moscow
26-mile round-trip to Tobyhanna behind Canadian National 2-8-2 #3254 - Scranton, Pennsylvania
For more information: Steamtown National Historic Site
For photos: Steamtown Photo Gallery

October 11: Reading & Northern Excursion w/ #425 - Port Clinton to Jim Thorpe
GM&N 4-6-2 #425 powers a day-long fall foliage excursion from Port Clinton, Pennsylvania
For more information: Reading & Northern Railroad
For photos: Reading & Northern 425 Photo Gallery

October 11: Steamtown Excursion to Tobyhanna
52-mile round-trip to Tobyhanna behind Canadian National 2-8-2 #3254 - Scranton, Pennsylvania
For more information: Steamtown National Historic Site
For photos: Steamtown Photo Gallery

October 11: Tennessee Valley Railroad "Autumn Leaf Special"
100-mile round-trip from Chattanooga, Tennessee  to Summerville, Georgia, behind 2-8-0 #610
For more information: Tennessee Valley Railroad

October 11-12: East Broad Top "Fall Spectacular"
All operational equipment runs for the annual fall event - Orbisonia, Pennsylvania
For more information: East Broad Top Railroad
For photos: East Broad Top Fall Spectacular

October 12: Steamtown Excursion to Moscow
26-mile round-trip to Tobyhanna behind Canadian National 2-8-2 #3254 - Scranton, Pennsylvania
For more information: Steamtown National Historic Site
For photos: Steamtown Photo Gallery

October 18: Reading & Northern Excursion w/ #425 - Port Clinton to Jim Thorpe
GM&N 4-6-2 #425 powers a day-long fall foliage excursion from Port Clinton, Pennsylvania
For more information: Reading & Northern Railroad
For photos: Reading & Northern 425 Photo Gallery

October 18: Steamtown Excursion to Moscow
26-mile round-trip to Tobyhanna behind Canadian National 2-8-2 #3254 - Scranton, Pennsylvania
For more information: Steamtown National Historic Site
For photos: Steamtown Photo Gallery

October 18: Tennessee Valley Railroad "Autumn Leaf Special"
100-mile round-trip from Chattanooga, Tennessee  to Summerville, Georgia, behind 2-8-0 #610
For more information: Tennessee Valley Railroad

October 18-19: Kentucky Railway Museum Excursion w/ L&N 152
L&N 4-6-2 #152 pulls a 22-mile round-trip from New Haven to Boston, Kentucky
For more information: Kentucky Railway Museum

October 18-19: South Carolina Railroad Museum Steam Weekend
Flagg Coal Co 0-4-0 #75 operates on the Rockton, Rion & Western RR - Winnsboro, South Carolina
Details forthcoming: South Carolina Railroad Museum

October 19: Steamtown Excursion to Gouldsboro and Tobyhanna
52-mile round-trip to Tobyhanna behind Canadian National 2-8-2 #3254 - Scranton, Pennsylvania
For more information: Steamtown National Historic Site
For photos: Steamtown Photo Gallery

October 19-21: Cumbres & Toltec Photo Freight
Two-day Rio Grande photo freight plus night photo session in Chama, New Mexico
For more information: Lerro Productions
For photos: Cumbres & Toltec Photo Gallery

October 22-23: Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Photo Freight
Two-day Rio Grande photo freight from Durango, Colorado with an overnight Silverton
For more information: Lerro Productions
For photos: Durango & Silverton Photo Gallery

October 24-25: Cumbres & Toltec "Chama Steam VII Classic"
Tripleheader steam with a 25-car Rio Grande freight - Chama, New Mexico
For more information: Chama Steam
For photos: Cumbres & Toltec Photo Gallery

October 25: Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Charter on the Durango & Silverton
Friends' 20th anniversary celebration aboard a charter to Cascade Canyon - Durango, Colorado
For more information: Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
For photos: Durango & Silverton Photo Gallery

October 25: Steamtown Excursion to Tobyhanna
52-mile round-trip to Tobyhanna behind Canadian National 2-8-2 #3254 - Scranton, Pennsylvania
For more information: Steamtown National Historic Site
For photos: Steamtown Photo Gallery

October 25: Tennessee Valley Railroad "Autumn Leaf Special"
100-mile round-trip from Chattanooga, Tennessee  to Summerville, Georgia, behind 2-8-0 #610
For more information: Tennessee Valley Railroad

October 25-26: South Carolina Railroad Museum Steam Weekend
Flagg Coal Co 0-4-0 #75 operates on the Rockton, Rion & Western RR - Winnsboro, South Carolina
Details forthcoming: South Carolina Railroad Museum

October 26: Steamtown Excursion to Moscow
26-mile round-trip to Tobyhanna behind Canadian National 2-8-2 #3254 - Scranton, Pennsylvania
For more information: Steamtown National Historic Site
For photos: Steamtown Photo Gallery

NOVEMBER 2008

November 1-2: Kentucky Railway Museum Excursion w/ L&N 152
L&N 4-6-2 #152 pulls a 22-mile round-trip from New Haven to Boston, Kentucky
For more information: Kentucky Railway Museum

November 1-2: Tennessee Valley Railroad "Autumn Leaf Special"
100-mile round-trip from Chattanooga, Tennessee  to Summerville, Georgia, behind 2-8-0 #610
For more information: Tennessee Valley Railroad

November 8: Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad Photo Freight
Climax #10 will pull a mixed freight from Mineral to Morton and return - Mineral, Washington
Details forthcoming: Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad

November 8: Tennessee Valley Railroad "Autumn Leaf Special"
100-mile round-trip from Chattanooga, Tennessee  to Summerville, Georgia, behind 2-8-0 #610
For more information: Tennessee Valley Railroad

November 8-9: Strasburg Rail Road "Trains & Troops"
Two steam locomotives operate, including mixed freight consist - Strasburg, Pennsylvania
For more information: Strasburg Rail Road
For photos: Strasburg Rail Road Photo Gallery

November 9: Little River Railroad "Photo Freight Special"
Little River 4-6-2 #110 and/or 0-4-0T #1 pull a freight with multiple photo run-bys - Coldwater, Michigan
Details forthcoming: Little River Railroad

November 28-30: Steam Railroading Institute "North Pole Express"
Pere Marquette 2-8-4 #1225 powers daily excursions from Owosso to Chesaning, Michigan
For more information: Steam Railroad Institute
For photos: Pere Marquette 1225 Photo Gallery

DECEMBER 2008

December 6-7: Steam Railroading Institute "North Pole Express"
Pere Marquette 2-8-4 #1225 powers daily excursions from Owosso to Chesaning, Michigan
For more information: Steam Railroad Institute
For photos: Pere Marquette 1225 Photo Gallery

December 12-14: Soo Line 1003 "Santa Steam Train Special"
Soo Line 2-8-2 #1003 one-way positioning move from Hartford (Friday), display in Plymouth (Saturday), and one-way trip from Elkhart Lake (7mi north of Plymouth) to Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Sunday)
For more information: Plymouth Chamber of Commerce
For photos: Soo Line 1003 Photo Gallery

December 13-14: Steam Railroading Institute "North Pole Express"
Pere Marquette 2-8-4 #1225 powers daily excursions from Owosso to Chesaning, Michigan
For more information: Steam Railroad Institute
For photos: Pere Marquette 1225 Photo Gallery

December 20: Reading & Northern "Winter Photographer's Special"
GM&N 4-6-2 #425 will power a photo special on the RBMN -- route to be determined.
Details forthcoming: Reading & Northern Railroad
For photos: Reading & Northern 425 Photo Gallery

December 20-21: Steam Railroading Institute "North Pole Express"
Pere Marquette 2-8-4 #1225 powers daily excursions from Owosso to Chesaning, Michigan
For more information: Steam Railroad Institute
For photos: Pere Marquette 1225 Photo Gallery

JANUARY 2009

January 3: Conway Scenic Railroad "Steam in the Snow" Photographer's Special
Grand Trunk 0-6-0 #7470 pulls an excursion to Sawyer River from North Conway, New Hampshire
Details forthcoming: Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts
For photos: Conway Scenic Railroad Photo Gallery

FEBRUARY 2009

February 14-15: Trains Unlimited Tours "Western Maryland Winter Photo Freight"
Two-day photo freight on the WMSR with ex-LS&I 2-8-0 #34 - Cumberland, Maryland
For more information: Trains Unlimited Tours
For photos: Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Photo Gallery

MAY 2009

May 2-3: Trains Unlimited "La Veta Pass Express Photo Freight"
2-6-0 #1744 or 2-8-0 #18 pull a photo freight from Alamosa, with overnight in La Veta, Colorado
For more information: Trains Unlimited Tours
For photos: Rio Grande Scenic Railroad Photo Gallery

May 24: Trains Unlimited "West Virginia & Durbin Express"
Climax locomotive #3 pulls a photo freight on the Durbin & Greenbrier Railroad - Durbin, West Virginia
For more information: Trains Unlimited Tours
For photos: Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad Photo Gallery

JULY 2009

July 24-26: Steam Railroading Institute "Train Festival 2009"
Proposed events include an Amtrak special from Chicago to Owosso (via Durand) on Friday with return on Sunday, hourly train rides with Flagg Coal Co 0-4-0 Saddle Tank #75 on Friday-Sunday, all-day excursions to Alma with Pere Marquette 2-8-4 #1225 (or doubleheader) on Saturday-Sunday, night photo sessions (Friday-Saturday), and visiting steam/diesel equipment (TBD, possibly Nickel Plate 2-8-4 #765) - Owosso, Michigan
For more information: Steam Railroad Institute
For photos: Pere Marquette 1225 Photo Gallery

OCTOBER 2009

October 16-17: Trains Unlimited Tours "Grand Canyon Flyer"
Two-day charter with runbys, including doubleheader of 2-8-2 #4960 & 2-8-0 #29 - Williams, Arizona
For more information: Trains Unlimited Tours

October 19-20: Trains Unlimited Tours "Rio Grande Silverton Mixed Express"
Mixed photo freight on the Durango & Silverton with overnight in Silverton - Durango, Colorado
For more information: Trains Unlimited Tours
For photos: Durango & Silverton Photo Gallery

October 22-24: Trains Unlimited Tours "Rio Grande Cumbres Mixed Express"
3-day charter includes a round-trip to Antonito, plus doubleheader to Cumbres Pass - Chama, New Mexico
For more information: Trains Unlimited Tours
For photos: Cumbres & Toltec Photo Gallery

October 26: Trains Unlimited Tours "La Veta Passenger Express"
SP 2-6-0 #1744 pulls a passenger train over La Veta Pass - Alamosa, Colorado
For more information: Trains Unlimited Tours
For photos: Rio Grande Scenic Railroad Photo Gallery

October 27-28: Trains Unlimited Tours "Fall Colors La Veta Photo Freight"
SP 2-6-0 #1744 pulls a classic freight over La Veta Pass, with overnight in La Veta - Alamosa, Colorado
For more information: Trains Unlimited Tours
For photos: Rio Grande Scenic Railroad Photo Gallery

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