The 1947 - 1949 Freedom Train


		Locomotive & Equipment of the 1947-1949 Freedom Train
		Locomotive #1776: The Alco PA-1 locomotive that pulled the Freedom Train was the property of Alco (General Electric) during the run of the Freedom Train. It was built in August 1947 specifically to pull the Freedom Train: construction number 74696.
		SANTA FE 1896: The Freedom Train Power/Tool Car. On loan from the Santa Fe Railway, this 6-axle heavyweight baggage car was returned to the railroad and back into regular service. While on the Freedom Train it was named/numbered "SANTA FE 1896" and had a large round Great Seal of the US on the left side (engineer's left) and a large round America Heritage Foundation seal on the other.
		PENNSYLVANIA 3510 -- This exhibit car carried a pair of gold eagles on its sides. The car had electrical hookups for power where it was available at display sites. This took the load off the tool/power car mentioned above. Exhibit car interiors were painted varying shades of soft green. Bronze captions ran above the various groups of documents which were arranged in chronological order.
		PENNSYLVANIA 3489 -- This exhibit car carried large gold letters (on both sides) proclaiming "FREEDOM TRAIN".
		PENNSYLVANIA 3465 -- This exhibit car carried a pair of gold eagles on its sides.
		PENN SQUARE -- The first of the three Pullmans on the train, the Penn Square had six compartments and three drawing rooms and was built in July 1925 (plan 3523A, Construction Lot 4887).It carried large gold letters on both its flanks proclaiming "FREEDOM TRAIN". Presumably, the Penn Square was eventually scrapped. If you have any more information on the history of this car, please email us .
		GLEN FEE -- The Glen Fee (plan 3523A, Lot 4970, car code 2789) had six compartments and three drawing rooms and was delivered on 27 July 1926. It operated on the New York Central's 20th Century Limited before and after the Freedom Train, until 1963. While on the Freedom Train, two large gold eagles graced its sides.
		CENTRAL PLAINS -- The Pullman observation car Central Plains was built Sept-Oct 1926 (plan 3959E, Lot 4971) with three compartments, two drawing rooms, and an observation lounge. While on the Freedom Train the car carried two large renditions of the Great Seal of the US on its sides. Harry Truman gave a speech in Pittsburgh, PA from its rear platform.
		Please email us if you have any information that would add to the histories shown here.