All Aboard America

On It's Historic Journey To The American People

Steam motive power for the American Freedom Train provided the fan-fare to announce the arrival of the 10 rebuilt exhibit car, 2 showcase, and 12 support cars that made up the consist of the train. What else can attract crowds more easy? Visitors to the train, like performer Johnny Cash, had the rare opportunity to climb into and see the hollowed cab of a real, fire-breathing, smoke-belching steam locomotive. The Iron Horse was a nostalgic reminder for those who remember the golden age of steam on the American scene. For the younger generations, most having never seen or heard steam in action, it was a whole new experience of working machinery and dynamic sounds

A well planned schedule was designed to bring the American Freedom Train to nearly 140 cities. The Train’s route brought it within one hour’s driving distance for almost 90% of the population. This meant that millions of people who might never have a chance to visit Washington D.C. and other cities across America where the Freedom Train’s exhibits were gathered would be able to see the exhibits during the Bicentennial period on board the Freedom Train. The impressive 2,100 foot long train stretching nearly on half of a mile – with its specially designed red, white and blue livery was a marvelous multi – media presentation designed by Barry Howard Associates. Moving walkways permitted visitors to move slowly through the 10 exhibit cars. The Freedom Train carried 500 of the nation’s historic treasures, including a facsimile of the Declaration Of Independence, Benjamin Franklin’s draft of the Articles of Confederation, and George Washington’s personal copy of the Constitution. Following the first car which dealt with the revolutionary beginning of this country, the next cars were concerned with exploration from the early west to outer space… growth of the nation …origins of contemporary Americans .. The American innovations in science and technology …Americans at work, from wielding a scythe to writing a song….the sights and sounds of sports …and sculpture ….and, the nation in conflict and crisis’s.

The exhibits included a moon rock and a lunar rover. Astronaut "Buzz Aldrin" second man to walk on the moon, was one of many celebrities welcomed to the American Freedom Train by Foundation President Petr L.Spurney. A copy of Thomas Paine’s "Common Sense" was exhibited along with Dr. Martin Luther King’s vestment robe and Bible. From President Kennedy’s rocking chair and a handwritten draft of his inaugural address. To a Navajo sand painting, from Henry Aaron’s baseball bat that hit his 714^th home run, breaking Babe Ruth’s records to Judy Garland’s dress from the Wizard Of Oz. Hank Aaron was at the Freedom Train to personally greet the one millionth visitor.

Other memorabilia included Emma Lazarus’s handwritten manuscript of the famous poem "The New Colossus" that appears on the Statue of Liberty. Lincoln’s famous stovepipe hat and recreation of his seat at the Ford Theatre that tragic night. Will Rogers rope; paintings and sculpture by Peale, Sully, Homer Benton, Sloan, Remington, and Saint-Gaudens; Franklin D. Roosevelt’s mother-of pearl cigarette holder. A fingerless baseball glove. Original U.S. Patent models; a panorama of movies including the silent screen, the first talkies, and Academy Award winners Outside, two showcase cars, with large display windows exhibited historically significant items such as the 1904 Oldsmobile that won the first Remington, and Saint-Gaudens; Franklin D. Roosevelt’s mother-of pearl cigarette holder. A fingerless baseball glove. Original U.S. Patent models; a panorama of movies including the silent screen, the first talkies, and Academy Award winners Outside, two showcase cars, with large display windows exhibited historically significant items such as the 1904 Oldsmobile that won the first Remington, and Saint-Gaudens; Franklin D. Roosevelt’s mother-of pearl cigarette holder. A fingerless baseball glove. Original U.S. Patent models; a panorama of movies including the silent screen, the first talkies, and Academy Award winners Outside, two showcase cars, with large display windows exhibited historically significant items such as the 1904 Oldsmobile that won the first Remington, and Saint-Gaudens; Franklin D. Roosevelt’s mother-of pearl cigarette holder. A fingerless baseball glove. Original U.S. Patent models; a panorama of movies including the silent screen, the first talkies, and Academy Award winners Outside, two showcase cars, with large display windows exhibited historically significant items such as the 1904 Oldsmobile that won the first transcontinental auto race in the U.S.; and the Freedom Bell. This giant bell, 7-1/2 feet in both height and diameter, is an exact double-sized duplicate of the Liberty Bell, but minus the crack. It is a gift to the nation on behalf of her children, and was presented by the American Legion.

Now, sit back and listen to an audio composite of the American Freedom Train. Experience from the opening sounds of one of the Freedom Train’s great steam locomotives in action, to the Official theme song " Here Comes The American Freedom Train" performed by Dan Glenn. Listen to the audio soundtrack as heard in the exhibit cars sharing our bountiful national treasure of historic artifacts and American memorabilia. It was the American experience on rails – The American Freedom Train – All Aboard, America ! This Train is bound for glory.

Note !!!!! Page Numbers 3 through Page Number 5
Are Dedictated To The American Freedom Train

Revised: September 03, 2007