The American Freedom Train
Several locomotives were considered (but not used) for pulling the American Freedom Trainincluding:
- Nickel Plate 2-8-4 #755 (Now on display at the Conneaut Station in Conneaut, OH)
- Nickel Plate 2-8-4 #763 (Now on display at the Age of Steam Roundhouse in Sugarcreek, OH)
- Norfolk & Western 4-8-4 #611 (Now operating from the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke, VA)
- Union Pacific 4-8-4 #8444 (Now in service on the Union Pacific)
- Santa Fe 4-8-4 #2925 (Now stored in Sacramento, CA)
- American Freedom Train - 1975-76 station stops
- Timeline for the 1975-1976 Bicentennial American Freedom Train
- The Story of America's Freedom Trains
- The Wiregrass Trip of the 1976 American Freedom Train
- Southern Pacific GS-4 4-8-4 number 4449
- Reading T-1 4-8-4 number 2101
- Texas and Pacific I-1a 2-10-4 number 610
Southern Pacific GS-4 4-8-4 number 4449
- Previously on display in Oaks Park in Portland, OR
- Moved on December 14th, 1974 to a Burlington Northern roundhouse for restoration
- Restoration takes longer than expected but is completed on April 21, 1975.
- On August 4, 1975, in Chicago, SP 4449 takes over American Freedom Train duties from 2101 and pulls the train westward.
- On Memorial Day, 1976, in Birmingham, AL, SP 4449 gives the train back to Reading 2101.
- SP 4449 is shopped.
- On August 29, 1976, Alexandria, VA, SP 4449 again takes over American Freedom Train duties.
- On December 31, 1976, in Miami, FL, the end of the American Freedom Train is officially announced.
Photos
- 4449 dressed up in Freedom Train colors
- 4449 dressed up in Freedom Train colors
- 4449 Freedom Train in Carver, MN (August 1975)
- American Freedom Train photos
- 4449 (Railfan.net Usenet ABPR Picture Archives)
- 4449 (RailPictures.net)
- 4449 dressed up in Freedom Train colors (Railfan.net Usenet ABPR Picture Archives)
- 4449 dressed up in Freedom Train colors (Railfan.net Usenet ABPR Picture Archives)
Reading T-1 4-8-4 number 2101
- 1959-1964: Standby locomotive for Reading Rambles.
- 1965: Sold to Striegel Supply & Equipment (scrap yard) in Baltimore, MD.
- Ross Rowland buys the 2101 from Striegel Supply.
- Restoration begins in March, 1975 at the Chessie (B&O) Riverside engine terminal.
- Restoration is completed in 30 days.
- On Tuesday, April 1, 1975 2101 (renumbered to 1) is the first locomotive to pull the American Freedom Train out of Wilmington, DE.
- On August 4, 1975, in Chicago, 2101 is relieved of her duties and 4449 takes over pulling the American Freedom Train.
- Reading 2101 receives a new paint scheme.
- On Memorial Day, 1976, in Birmingham, AL, 2101 again takes over American Freedom Train duties while SP 4449 is shopped.
- On August 29, 1976, Alexandria, VA, Reading 2101 again gives the train to SP 4449.
- 1977-1979: Used for excursions on the Chessie System.
- Severely damaged in a Chessie System roundhouse in Ohio.
- Cosmetically restored to American Freedom Train colors.
- Placed on display at the B&O Museum.
Photos
- Reading 2101 dressed up in Freedom Train colors
- Reading 2101 dressed up in Freedom Train colors
- American Freedom Train photos
Texas and Pacific I-1a 2-10-4 number 610
- In 1976, In Austin, TX, American Freedom Train duties are taken over by T&P 610.
- T&P 610 pulls the American Freedom Train to Ft. Worth and Dallas before returning the train to SP 4449.
Photos
The Preamble Express
- Delaware & Hudson U23B 2312
- Built 1968 (#36814).
- Later renumbered 1776 and served as one of the D&H's Bicentennial-themed diesels.
- Became Maine Central 291.
- Scrapped in 1988.
- Union Pacific E-9A 951
- Pulled out of retirement
- Used beginning in Omaha on August 11, 1974.