In the early 1970s, Ross Rowland Jr., a young, successful New York commodities broker and occasional steam locomotive engineer, had the idea to celebrate the Bicentennial of the American Revolution with a traveling exhibition of unique and representative artifacts from the 200 year history of the nation.
The Bicentennial, in the wake of Vietnam and the midst of Watergate, was about to pass with little note taken or any event to celebrate.
Ross Rowland and several of his friends and associates from past steam-powered excursion trains worked against the trend. They knew that the steam locomotive was a proven “people magnet”.
The result of their efforts was eleventh-hour corporate sponsorship.
By the time the five corporate sponsors signed on, there was barely time to build the train or to find or restore suitable steam locomotion. It almost didn’t happen. Its legacy is a lesson in never quitting when things don’t look promising but you know you have a worthwhile dream.
The American Freedom Train was, indeed, the only nationwide celebration of the Bicentennial. It was pulled by steam locomotives in the age of the diesel, and would improve on the three display cars of its predecessor, the 1947 Freedom Train.
The American Freedom Train would feature twelve display cars, ten that visitors would go aboard and pass through and two to hold large objects that would be viewed from the ground through huge “showcase” windows.
The display cars were filled with over 500 precious treasures of Americana. Included in these diverse artifacts were George Washington’s copy of the Constitution, the original Louisiana Purchase, Judy Garland’s dress from The Wizard of OZ, Joe Frazier’s boxing trunks, Martin Luther King’s pulpit and robes, and even a rock from the moon.
The American Freedom Train (AFT) was a 26-car train led by one of three enormous steam engines restored just for the occasion. Over a 21 month period from April 1, 1975 to December 31, 1976 more than 7 million Americans visited the train during its tour of all 48 contiguous states.
Tens of millions more stood trackside to see it go by. It was by far the greatest event on rails since the end of the steam era, and the uniquely magnificent vehicle that brought America’s Bicentennial celebration to the people. It would bring such emotions of joy and misty eyes of pride, as citizens truly knew they lived in the most free country in the world.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AMERICAN FREEDOM TRAIN – 1776-1976 and the Bicentennial (200yr) Celebration of the Declaration of Independence and the Birth of the United States of America.