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The AFT came together at Cameron Station, VA in March of 1975. The military reservation provided the ideal place for the train's final preparation - safe, secure, and close to the archives and institutions where many of the documents and artifacts came from. Some of the most precious included the original Louisiana Purchase, George Washington's copy of the Constitution, and Benjamin Franklin's handwritten draft of the Articles of Confederation. In all, over 500 artifacts of Americana were loaded into the 10 display cars and 2 showcase cars of the AFT. As protection of the artifacts was paramount, the former New York Central/Penn Central baggage cars were essentially converted into environmentally controlled, fireproof, rolling museums. |
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At the same time in Baltimore... Time was running out on the people who wanted the AFT pulled by a steam locomotive. The AFT Foundation was content with the idea of having modern diesels pull the train until the Daylight locomotive could take over, but the AFT's founder Ross Rowland couldn't abide the notion. Rowland arranged for the purchase of one of two former Reading T-1 locomotives found locally at the Streigel Supply Company. Engine 2101 was picked over 2100 because it was a better candidate for restoration, though it had a less colorful history (2100 had been used in the famed Iron Horse Rambles fan excursions in the 1960s, while 2101 had merely been standing by in case of failure). Restoration took place in just 30 days, surprising even those who made it happen. On March 28, engineer Rowland and crew barely made it in time to Cameron Station (running backwards) to pull the AFT to it's first stop in Delaware. Diesels were waiting nearby. With paint still drying on the locomotive, the AFT was off. Behind steam. Here, 2101 (now AFT #1), finishes the 30-day race to Cameron Station. The gleaming white cars of the AFT are in the background of the middle photo. |
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Bottom photo: 2101 leaves Cameron Station enroute to its first display date at Delaware Park in Wilmington, Delaware (with a short stop at Alexandria Station for a ribbon-cutting ceremony). The 2101's first tour with the train would go as far as Chicago, where the Daylight locomotive would take over. Photos: Ronald Goldfeder, 2101 restoration volunteer. |
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