Freedom Train

This engine toured America in 1976

"The triumph of the steam-powered American Freedom Train was, indeed, the only nationwide celebration of the Bicentennial. It was pulled by steam locomotives in the age of the diesel, and would improve on the three display cars of its predecessor, the 1947 Freedom Train. The American Freedom Train would feature twelve display cars, ten that visitors would go aboard and pass through and two to hold large objects that would be viewed from the ground through huge "showcase" windows. The display cars were filled with over 500 precious treasures of Americana. Included in these diverse artifacts were George Washington's copy of the Constitution, the original Louisiana Purchase, Judy Garland's dress from The Wizard of OZ, Joe Frazier's boxing trunks, Martin Luther King's pulpit and robes, and even a rock from the moon."

"The American Freedom Train (AFT) was a 26-car train led by one of three enormous steam engines restored just for the occasion. Over a 21 month period from April 1, 1975 to December 31, 1976 more than 7 million Americans visited the train during its tour of all 48 contiguous states. Tens of millions more stood trackside to see it go by. It was by far the greatest event on rails since the end of the steam era, and the uniquely magnificent vehicle that brought America's Bicentennial celebration to the people. " from http://www.freedomtrain.org/html/aft_home.htm

AFT Locomotive #4449: Doubtless the most photographed locomotive in the world, the former Southern Pacific GS-4 is the property of the City of Portland Oregon. It was repainted to Daylight colors a few years after the Bicentennial. In the 1980's it pulled a consist of matching cars from Portland to New Orleans for the World's Fair and starred, along with Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas, in Disney's "Tough Guys". In recent years she sported an all-black "War Baby" paint scheme, but returned to her beautiful red, white, and blue American Freedom Train colors from March 2002 to March 2004. Now back in Daylight orange, red and black, the locomotive is under the care of the Friends of SP 4449.