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American Freedom Train (1975–1976)
The American Freedom Train tour in 1975 and 1976 was one of the many events that celebrated the United States Bicentennial. Consisting of 26 cars, the train was pulled by three steam locomotives. First was Reading Company No. Reading 2101, 2101, a Reading Class T-1, Class T-1 4-8-4 locomotive. Next, Southern Pacific Transportation Company, Southern Pacific No. Southern Pacific 4449, 4449, a Southern Pacific GS-4 class, Class GS-4 4-8-4 locomotive, pulled the train across the Western United States. No. 4449 was painted in a special red, white, and blue livery to commemorate the event. Finally, Texas and Pacific Railway, Texas & Pacific No. Texas and Pacific 610, 610, a Class I-1AR 2-10-4 locomotive, pulled the train along the remainder of the route. For a time, diesel locomotives pulled the train due to track conditions and light rail loadings along the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, Louisville & Nashville's route from New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama; diesels were also required to ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
American Freedom Train
Two national ''Freedom Trains'' have toured the United States: the 1947–49 special exhibit ''Freedom Train'' and the 1975–76 ''American Freedom Train'' which celebrated the United States Bicentennial. Each train had its own special red, white and blue paint scheme and its own itinerary and route across the 48 contiguous states, stopping to visitors and displaying Americana and related historical artifacts. There are plans to run a ''Freedom Train'' again in 2026. The 1940s ''Freedom Train'' exhibit was integrated—black and white viewers were allowed to mingle freely. When town officials in Birmingham, Alabama, and Memphis, Tennessee, refused to allow blacks and whites to see the exhibits at the same time, the Freedom Train skipped the planned visits, amid significant controversy. 1947–1949 ''Freedom Train'' The first ''Freedom Train'' was proposed in April 1946 by Attorney General Tom C. Clark, who believed that Americans had begun taking the principles of liberty fo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
