In all my years of warching related RU-vid creators, never have I seen a collaboration with two legends in the field: a railway documentary pioneer with over 100k subs, and the founder of the American Freedom Train itself. Bravo!
Awesome! A full documentary of the 30-day miracle. Unexpectedly and got by surprise that famous Ross Rowland was featured. It is a great relief that 4449 was saved when a cracked crown sheet was discovered. If it haven't been for that welding expert, I wouldn't see her at Train Festival 2009, and my grandparents, two uncles and my dad wouldn't see her with the Freedom Train. Miracles can happen to any steam locomotives when restorations can take place if they're in good condition. Big Boy 4014 is a one of the bestest examples when converted to oil burning thanks to the efforts of the UP steam team just in time for the 150th Anniversary of the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad.
Since I discovered 2101 in the railroad franchise, I got attached to the locomotive rapidly and gained interest into her. I had seen her yesterday at the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum, it was truly one of my greatest experiences in a life time. Unfortunately they haven't been able to cosmetically restore her because of the bad track underneath her, I am still thankful she is still in presentable condition and for Ross Rowland bringing her into the American freedom train franchise. Godspeed 2101! 🚂 🇺🇸 💙❤🤍🇺🇸
@@Railman1225 Yes, that's what one of the higher staff there told me, she's been there since labor day of 1979, she has not been moved at all since then, even then if they did try to move her, I also noticed her lead truck and some drive axles perhaps derailed too, which can damage those and other components of the locomotive
@@Ambitious_Scripter yikes. well, i hope they someday figure out a way to rescue her, it'd be really nice to see her _mostly_ brought back to her former glory, especially AFT-wise!
I got to see 2101 in person last year and her sister 2124. I also saw 759 last year, as well as 763 in 2021 with CP 1278 and NKP 757. I always thought the American Freedom Train was the best train that ever ran on the rails of the USA.
As railfans we should thank and owe a lot to his work and the legacy helped inspire, God bless you Ross and to all steam entrepreneurs who made it possible
Nice job on the documentary, and I also had no idea this other nickel plate road steam engine I never heard of was also considered for the train lol, and something regarding the N&W 611 when it was considered for the train and judging by what I found, the piece of art the lionel model is based on was drawn in 1974 and my best guess is it was probably before they found the SP 4449 and went with that instead since it was being restored late 1974 probably, heck the 611 design without the bullet nose was used for the official AFT logo despite the engine not being used from what it said, though the question remains on why the 611 wasn’t chosen depending on what problems it had, not that it’s really a big deal or anything but just a mystery.
Great video! How in the heck you managed to get in contact with Ross Rowland himself is beyond me. To paraphrase Babcock and Wilcox, "You must know some people!"
Have you read the article “a passion for steam trackside photographer”? If not, it tells the sweet/tragic story of Richard Jensen and his steam locomotives(mostly GTW 5629). Helpful information, if you ever want to make any documentaries about such a topic.
Well 30 restoration is possible but that’s like 99.1% but when you have literally 100 Railfans Flocking all over the country to help restore a Steam Locomotive yea it’s possible
@@TrainGuru LS&I 18 was one of four steam locomotives the Grand Canyon Railway first bought, and it was restored first, since it was purchased from a group in Wisconsin that was in the process of rebuilding her, but it was never finished. 18 came to Williams still dead in August 1989, and just 28 days later, it pulled the GCRY’s inaugural train. And keep in mind, this restoration didn’t come with a deadline like the 30-day miracle did.
