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American
Freedom Train President Ford inaugurated the AFT from the platform of the Preamble Express, December 1974. Shortly thereafter this car was repainted into AFT #205. Image: Ford Presidential Library collection
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Built for the Reading Co. in 1922, coach car #1329 became Permacel Express car P3 "Educator" with the addition of a large observation deck on one end. The train debuted in September, 1966. Image: Parke-Bernet Galleries auction catalog, November 21, 1968 |
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The colorful Permacel Express was used for employee education and public relations. For economy, it traveled attached to regularly scheduled passenger trains. The three-car train was sold at auction to the Lancaster & Chester Railway, the "Springmaid Line", where it became the Springmaid Special. Image: Parke-Bernet Galleries auction catalog, November 21, 1968 |
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The car was used to train hundreds of Permacel employees and distributors. Image: L&N Magazine September 1967 |
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Springmaid Special car "Educator" became Preamble Express car #4, and later AFT #205 -- as seen here in a brochure put out by the Lancaster & Chester Railway. Image: Keith Muldowney collection |
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Interior shot from the Lancaster & Chester Railway brochure. Image: Keith Muldowney collection |
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Coming from the L&C, the cars of the Springmaid Special were measured for the AFT Foundation. The measurements appear on a drawing that shows the skirting the cars used to wear on the Reading RR. Image: John Finnin collection
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Preamble Express Car #4 became AFT Observation Car #205. It had already been to all 48 contiguous states even before it joined the AFT! Shown at Lebanon, NJ. July 1974. Image: Keith Muldowney. |
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The Preamble Express cars still carried large metal plaques on their sides from their days on the Lancaster & Chester Railway. The plaques were removed when the cars were repainted to become part of the AFT. Image: Keith Muldowney. Roanoke, VA 1974. |
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| AFT Observation
Car #205.
Shown at Columbus, OH. May 1975. Image: William Brandon, photographer. George Elwood scan. |
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At Cameron Station, VA in early 1977. Photo: Tom Nosera |
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Former AFT car #205 as BC Rail "Britannia" at North Vancouver, BC. Jerry LaBoda alerted us to this picture on the web and did the leg work getting permission to post it here. Our thanks to both Jerry and Claude Prutton, the photographer. Click on images for a larger version. Image: Claude Prutton June 6, 1980. |
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Former AFT car #205 as Mt. Rainier Railroad Dining Company #321 "Pierce". President Ford inaugurated the American Freedom Train from its back platform in December 1974 at Alexandria, VA Elbe, WA. Image: Lee Bishop December 2003. |
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| Image: Lee Bishop 2006. |  |
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| Image: Lee Bishop 2006. |  |
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Former AFT car #205 as #321. Note the framed print of President Ford's inauguration of the American Freedom Train from the car's observation platform in December 1974 -- while the car was still in Preamble Express paint. Image: Lee Bishop 2006. |
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