I'm not sure why (until tonight) that I FINALLY decided to RU-vid the AFT. I was engineer on that great steam locomotive - the 4449. Insane power behind the steam locomotives, they will run right off the rails if you let them... sorry I'm late to the game. Thank you Lathan.
The AFT worked its way from east to west across the northern US and down the west coast in 1975, then back across the southern US from west to east and down the east coast in 1976. It was in Madison, WI, the week of August 20, 1975. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Freedom_Train_%E2%80%93_1975%E2%80%9376_station_stops
This film takes me right back to being 4 years old, and seeing the train with my folks at the L.A. County Fairgrounds. While I was too young to really grasp the significance, I have memories of the sights and sounds of the locomotive, and the thousands of excited people who lined up to see the exhibit. Somewhere in safekeeping, I have a commemorative coin that my late father bought that evening celebrating the bicentennial and the train's visit. It was particularly cool to see the footage of the train going through San Timoteo Canyon. My family often camped in and around that area in the 1970's, and now, 40 years later, I enjoy driving through that canyon and remembering. To me, the place seems like a time capsule that hasn't changed very much since I was a child. But watching this film tells me otherwise.
I was about 7 when I got to tour the Freedom Train as a kid. I’ll never forget seeing a pair of Dr. J’s canvas Converse All Stars. They were huge! Next thing I remember is mom and dad buying brand new $2 bills. Which they still have to this day. I really wish this documentary had a lot more about the exhibits inside that train.
I was 9 years old when it came to Baltimore MD. Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron's baseball bats and I think uniforms as well. Things from the Apollo, Gemini and Mercury programs. So much American memorabilia.
Yes, As a captain, I was offered the assignment as the senior Army officer on the Freedom Train in July 1976. As I got married in June 1976, I declined.
I bet you guys heard about American Freedom Train 2.0 tour in 2 years with Reading 2100 as AFT 250 and hopefully if BNSF agrees to have SP 4449 pull the freedom train on the BNSF mainline in her freedom train paint
I was 6 years old when this came to Tampa, FL. I have vague memories of the experience but it is neat to see today and understand what it as all about. Thanks for posting this.
Saw it in Jacksonville either right before or right after you, fellow Chris. I was 5! It was out by the giant Sears Outlet store, where my parents got my Stretch Armstrong, Rok-Em-Sok-Em Robots, and Evel Knievel toys for Christmas, lol. We had moved from Temple Terrace in 1975. Vague but cool memory; still have a big badge button my parents got me from the exhibit.
One of my friends and I rode a bus to see the Freedom Train at age 15 when it came through Ohio in May of '75. It was a long bus ride there and back but it was worth it to have experienced a piece of history. I appreciated it then, but even more now.
I was 15 years old in January 1975 when I rode my bike at 2 in the morning in the freezing cold from my house to the tracks (about 5 miles) in the San Fernando Valley to watch the AFT go by on it's way back from Santa Barbara, CA. It wouldn't be until April 1977 that I would get to see 4449 again on it's return trip to Portland, Ore. after it's duty on the AFT. Note the kids jumping rope while waiting in line at the Pomona Fairgrounds. My how things have changed.
The AFT came through SoCal in December of '75 and January of '76. It was at Pomona the week of Dec 23, '75. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Freedom_Train_%E2%80%93_1975%E2%80%9376_station_stops
This film represents a very very small fraction of the entire US American Freedom Train experience, this only covers a few portions in Southern California and West Coast. There were two other steam locomotives that pulled the American Freedom Train on the East Coast....those locomotives are equally interesting. The Reading T-1 class 4-8-4 Number 2101 pulled the Freedom Train throughout most of the Midwest and the entire east coast. Texas Pacific 2-10-4 Number 610 pulled the AFT consist across most of Texas.
anyone know what locomotive was pulling it when it stopped at the old CAMP GRANT in Rockford Illinois? I took my kids through it there, good memories. thank you
There’s only one American Freedom Train, and it’s this one. The same train was also pulled by ex-Texas and Pacific No. 610, and ex-Reading T1 No. 2101, which was renumbered to 1.
What an amazing time to have been alive. When patriotism was true and everyone seemed happy. Today, the general public wouldn't give a damn, and that's if they would even have a train in the first place. Probably not, with all of the PSR bullshite, tying up the railroad, insurance liability/security concerns, etc.
a locomotiva a vapor 4449 está usando os dois apitos o Hancock long bell 3 chime Whistle foi equipado do sp&s 700 igual a voz da Aline Garcia o atualmente apito e atsf 5 chime Whistle foi equipado do sp 4458 igualmente a voz da Alicinha
But However Only 2 American Freedom Train Display Cars Were Saved! Designated as A.F.T. #'s 40, & 41! Donated 2 The Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation 4 Display Never 2 Run Again! But Later Restored 2 Polar Express 2 Rail cars #' s 40, & 41 4 L&N 1992: Polar Express 1992! 2 Pull as Part of the 47 Add On Mins. = 72 Total/2=36+ Remainder 0!