#reading 2101

[dylanshetaplanesandhcs]

AAAAAH PLEASE SOMEONE DRAW ALFIE FOR AMERICA250 WITH TRAINS, I ALWAYS SEEN HIM WITH PLANES BUT RAILROADS BUILT THIS NATION PLEASE DRAW HIM AS A BIG RAIL GEEK WITH READING 2101, TEXAS & PACIFIC 610 OR SOUTHERN PACIFIC 4449 IN THEIR AMERICAN FREEDOM TRAIN COLORS PLEASE AND MY LIFE WILL BE YOURS

[collinthenychudson]

From April 1st 1975 to December 31st 1976, the American Freedom Train would go on a tour across the United States for the country's bicentennial celebration. With 26 cars making up the consist, the train would be pulled by three steam locomotives, Reading Company T-1 No. 2101 (which was temporarily renumbered to No. 1), Southern Pacific GS-4 No. 4449, and Texas & Pacific I-1AR No. 610. In the span of those two dates, over seven million people had passed through the train's display cars to view the artifacts and exhibits of America's heritage.

A documentary made by Peter Drible that talks about the train can be watched on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rZlooVmv5w

To learn about the locomotives, rolling stock, and other equipment used, here's the link: https://www.freedomtrain.org/american-freedom-train-consist-main.htm

Models and Route by: K&L Trainz, Trainz-Forge, Denver & Burlington Trainz Works, Jointed Rail, TrainzItalia, Auran, and Download Station

#aft #americanfreedomtrain #freedomtrain #readingcompany2101 #southernpacific4449 #texasandpacific610 #steamlocomotives #trains #trainzsimulator

[muladsworld]

Peter Dibble recently released this great documentary on the American Freedom Train that ran around the U.S. to celebrate the bicentennial in 1975-1976. With the turbulence we're feeling now on this July 4th, it's at least somewhat reassuring to know the story of this event which also happened in a time when people were unsure about the future of the country – not to mention its post-WWII predecessor that had to make stands against segregation in the South.

It's particularly amazing how quickly they put together these locomotives and train cars, in one case combining parts from two mothballed and broken locos into a working unit in just 30 days. (As someone who follows transit and train projects, anything faster than 18 months feels miraculous.)

Will there be another one for the 250-year sesquicentennial in 2026? Maybe. I have reservations if it really tries to fly under the "Honoring America's Veterans" motto shown near the end – Obviously our government often fails our veterans, but they're not the only ones being chewed to pieces by our economic system despite all the contributions they've made. A red flag for potentially heightened jingoism that I feel would not help us properly accept and embrace our past, but we'll see what happens.

[rodpower78]

Reading 2101 and Southern Pacific 4449 at a stop on the American Freedom Train tour in 1976

[capewolfe]

Celebrating our nation's 200th birthday, the American Freedom Train visited the Rochester area at the Genesee Regional Market in Henrietta, NY. near the West Shore. It was powered by former Reading 4-8-4 #2101. It was on display May 7-12, 1975. Robert G. French photo.