B&O RR Museum To (FINALLY) Restore AFT 1

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Wed Oct 18, 2023 10:48 pm

https://www.facebook.com/borailmuseum/p ... sj5bNuMbrl

Quote:

Join us this Saturday, October 21, at 10 AM in our front lot as the iconic American Freedom Train is moved from our front parking lot to our restoration facility. Our goal is to cosmetically restore the AFT 1 in time for the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 200th anniversary of American Railroading in 2027. This locomotive captured the hearts and minds of millions on its nationwide journey in 1975 to celebrate the bicentennial anniversary of the United States. We welcome everyone to come watch and learn more about this important piece of American history.

co614 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 19, 2023 8:46 am

FINALLY !!! I offer my thanks to all who joined with me in urging them to do this.

Guess it's another real world example of patience is a virtue !!

Onward & upward. !!! Ross Rowland

nedsn3 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 19, 2023 10:18 am

ex-2101 I think?

Richard Glueck · **Posted:** Thu Oct 19, 2023 10:37 am

Whether it pulled AFT or the Chessie Steam Special, I'd much rather it be restored as what it is, Reading 2101. I understand why it's painted in that garish costuming, and what the swap resulted in, but to me this is like repainting the Statue of Liberty and calling her a club dancer.

Just my 2 cents.

scratchyX1 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 14, 2020 12:17 pm **Posts:** 159

If it's staying in baltimore I'd prefer it to be the Chessie Steam special, as that's what I rode behind as a little kid. Otherwise, long term, make it reading 2101, and send it to be stuffed and mounted in either hamburg, or port clinton.

co614 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 19, 2023 11:54 am

The assignment that gave the locomotive its exposure to countless millions of Americans was its role powering the AFT throughout the northeastern USA.

Therefore, I applaud the museums decision to cosmetically restore her as AFT 1 so she can celebrate her starring role in that national project.

Besides IMHO that livery is far more eye appealing then the rather boring original Reading one.

Also, the deal I made with the B&O Museum when we did the swap for the 614 was that they would keep her in her AFT livery and in " good repair cosmetically".

Obviously they failed on that point but at least now it will get corrected.

Ross Rowland

Bobharbison · **Joined:** Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:42 pm **Posts:** 3010

As Ross mentions, she has far more fame as AFT *1* than as just another Reading T-1. I'm also very happy to hear she's finally being cosmetically restored.

In any case, if you prefer the Reading livery, R&BM 2102 is a very close match, aside from the obvious difference in lettering on the tender. Close enough for me, and with the added bonus of being kept in immaculate condition and running on a regular basis. She makes a fine tribute to the Reading locos.

I've not heard what the plans are for 2100, other than it definitely won't be FerroEquis (LOL) so it may well also look a lot like the historic scheme.

bbunge · **Posted:** Thu Oct 19, 2023 4:53 pm

She is buried in the front parking lot yard. There must be some interesting planning and prep work to get her ready to move as well as all the stuff that has to be moved to get her out.

Bob

Dave Lewandoski · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 5:58 pm **Posts:** 1083

any chance She'll be inside after the resto is done? And it's about time they take care of Her.

psa188 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 19, 2023 5:40 pm

from Facebook:

Quote:

Our goal is to cosmetically restore the AFT 1 in time for the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 200th anniversary of American Railroading in 2027.

I am glad that Bicentennial power is finally getting attention in the preservation. First Santa Fe Bicentennial Unit 5704 and now this. Hopefully OERM/SCRM will repaint SP 3100.

Mikechoochoo · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 6:10 pm **Posts:** 237

Dang, it’s been 47 years already, I’m getting old.

PMC · **Joined:** Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm **Posts:** 2873

psa188 wrote:

from Facebook:

I am glad that Bicentennial power is finally getting attention in the preservation. First Santa Fe Bicentennial Unit 5704 and now this. Hopefully OERM/SCRM will repaint SP 3100.

Also Milwaukee Road 3026/156: https://railfan.com/milwaukee-road-bice ... -oklahoma/

Overmod · **Joined:** Thu May 24, 2012 1:37 pm **Posts:** 2492

As someone who loved the Chessie Steam Special, I was going to suggest a potential compromise with restoring one side of the engine to AFT, and the other to the Chessie colors.

But since Ross has an arrangement that the locomotive be kept as AFT1, I think that solves the issue conclusively. As Ross noted, it is far more 'historically significant' in either of its post-Reading roles than it was as 'one of the surviving T-1s'.

Joshua K. Blay · **Posted:** Fri Oct 20, 2023 7:56 am

I'd like to see it restored as Chessie as well but I'm sure will look stunning in AFT when they're done.

Heck, maybe they'll really have some fun and restore it in the solid blue scheme! (first AFT scheme).

Joshua

Christopher Stone · **Joined:** Wed Jan 26, 2022 11:23 am **Posts:** 74

Overmod wrote:

As someone who loved the Chessie Steam Special, I was going to suggest a potential compromise with restoring one side of the engine to AFT, and the other to the Chessie colors.

I was going to suggest exactly the same thing but more so as a troll post than as a serious suggestion. But the more I think about it, the more it makes sense. It could be like that early BNSF experimental paint job locomotive all those years ago.

They can park another piece of equipment directly in front of it to keep visitors from seeing an awkward "half-and-half" front end.