AFT 1, also known as Reading #2101, will receive a full cosmetic restoration by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum in Baltimore, Maryland. The 1945 built 4-8-4 steam locomotive gained national fame by pulling part of the American Freedom Train (AFT) in 1975.
Built for the Reading Railroad, #2101 was retired from regular service in 1959 but stayed on the roster until 1964 as a backup locomotive for the Reading Iron Horse Rambles excursions. It was overhauled in 30-days once selected as one of the locomotives to lead the American Freedom Train. In 1979 the locomotive was damaged in a roundhouse fire which saw it sustain enough damage that it was traded for Chesapeake and Ohio #614 at the B&O railroad museum.
To kick off the restoration project, the locomotive was pulled from its long time resting place on a track by the museum’s parking lot. It was moved to the restoration shop where work will begin on cosmetically repairing and painting the locomotive. The move was livestreamed and can be re-watched on YouTube.
The locomotive will be restored in its AFT paint scheme. The museum hopes to complete the work by 2026 in time for the 250th anniversary of America. To aid in funding the project a donation link as been set up at https://borail.online/aft.
Image from B&O Railroad Museum Livestream
Learn more
Livestream of the move
B&O Railroad Museum Press Release