February 2025: From the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation: The ORHF is holding a National Train Day celebration on Saturday, May 10, 2025 which also marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic #4449 being back in operation. As all American Freedom Train alumni know, it has been quite some time since the "Queen of Steam" has participated in a Steam-Up. For this special occasion, the plan is to feature #4449 in stationary display under steam, with potential cab viewing via stairs, reminiscent of the AFT days. While there has been some discussion about the possibility of #4449 being used as motive power, it remains uncertain and would depend on several factors falling perfectly into place. Here’s hoping! If you're interested in celebrating this incredible milestone or have any questions, please email or call me at 503-803-2288. Let’s come together to honor 50 years of the Queen of Steam and celebrate her legacy!
Fall, 2023: Interest in the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution is heating up. The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum in Baltimore has announced they will be cosmetically restoring American Freedom Train locomotive #1 (former Reading T-1 #2101) to its 1979 glory as it was presented to the museum. Separately, the American Steam Railroad Preservation Association has announced that they will paint their Reading T-1 #2100 in a paint scheme reminiscent of the American Freedom Train, renumbering the locomotive #250. Curiously, the T-1 locomotives being restored have each other's tenders (since 1979).
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