American Freedom Train (AFT) No. 1

The American Freedom Train No. 1 was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1923. It began its career working for the Reading Railroad as RDG No. 2101. The engine was originally a Class I-10sa 2-8-0 Consolidation type locomotive. In 1945, it was rebuilt as a Class T-1 4-8-4 Northern type locomotive (also known as a “T-Hog”). Like other T-Hogs, the No. 2101 was designed for high-speed freight services. The engine retired from revenue service on the RDG in 1955, and, in 1967, it was sold to a Baltimore scrapyard. It remained there until 1975, when it was discovered by Ross Rowland, Jr., renumbered as the AFT No. 1, and restored to pull the American Freedom Train.   

Organized by Ross Rowland, Jr. and funded by the public, the American Freedom Train toured the nation between April 1, 1975, and December 31, 1976, in celebration of the United States Bicentennial. During its 21-month journey, the train visited all 48 contiguous states and stopped at 138 cities to display artifacts and artworks related to American culture. Of the 26 cars included in the AFT, 10 were converted into “display cars” that visitors could enter, and 2 were rebuilt as “showcase cars” with large windows. Collectively, they contained over 500 pieces of Americana including George Washington’s copy of the Constitution, Benjamin Franklin’s handwritten draft of the Articles of Confederation, the original Louisiana Purchase, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s robes. 

The American Freedom Train was pulled by 3 different steam locomotives: the No. 1, the No. 4499, and the No. 610. The AFT No. 1 was selected to carry the train through the northeastern United States. The engine had to be prepared quickly for the event; it was restored in just about 30 days, and its patriotic paint scheme was completed in three installations during its tour. Some say the engine was still drying while in transit! It was not the last time the engine was used for a significant celebration; in 1977, it was chosen to pull the famed Chessie Steam Special. 

The Chessie Steam Special toured the Chessie System from 1977 to 1978 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the American railroad. Ahead of its 2-year journey, the No. 1 was repainted Chessie yellow, renumbered as Chessie No. 2101, and outfitted with an auxiliary water tender. The Chessie No. 2101 remained in service with the sesquicentennial train until 1978, when it was sent to a C&O roundhouse in Silver Grove, Kentucky.  

On March 7, 1979, the Silver Grove Roundhouse caught fire with the No. 2101 stored inside. The severely damaged engine was sent to Hagerstown, Maryland for repairs. The tender was replaced, and the engine and tender were repainted to match the American Freedom Train color scheme from years prior. Shortly after its restoration, the locomotive was sent to the B&O Railroad Museum, where it has remained ever since.   

All AFT locomotives are preserved to some extent, and all have been cosmetically restored several times since working with the American Freedom Train. Nevertheless, the AFT No. 1 is unique in several ways: it is the only AFT steam locomotive to operate in the northeastern United States, and the only Class T-1 Northern type engine to work with the American Freedom Train. 

Those wanting to learn more can visit the American Freedom Train display in the B&O Railroad Museum’s annex. This display features memorabilia, photographs, media, and blueprints from the original display cars.