For those of us that are fans of the Bicentennial American Freedom Train, Santa has arrived early this year. A company called Accuen Media has produced decals to model the entire train in HO, including the ticket wagons, forklift, etc. The Lionel display cars are usually easy to pick up on a certain internet auction site; that is half the battle. Included in the decal set are tips/instructions on modeling the rest of the 26 car train. I am of the opinion that the AFT is arguably the most significant railroading event to take place in my lifetime (I'm 44). With models of AFT 1 and AFT 4449 available, as well as the Lionel sets floating around out there, as well as numerous bicentennial era locomotives on the shelf, modeling the entire American Freedom Train is now possible. Check out the Accuen site at:
http://www.accuen.com/index.htm
A word of warning: the complete decal set is not cheap. But, when you consider you are talking about a 26 car train, with enough decals to model several different variations, I think you will find the price well worth it. Another word of warning: I am not affiliated with the company in any way, shape or form. I am just a fan of the AFT and want to spread the good news. Regards, Burlington John
THE site for American Freedom Train fans http://www.freedomtrain.org
Loco wrote:I got to see it. Way back when, I was...... young LoL
April 8, 1976. St. Louis, Missouri. I had hair back then!Regards,
Burlington John
This is Enjineerbill's work from another forum, he's made an awesome job of building these cars.
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=12&uid=4160344&gid=15566188&
Ken.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I found the book about it on Ebay, along with a book on the history of the trolleys of Indaina's Wabash Valley area, including most of Indiana.
Paid the hefty sum of about $20 for BOTH of them TOGETHER!!!
No one else bid on them, I could hardly believe it!!!
Ed
I did get to see the American Freedom Train roar through Flatonia during the bicentenniel. However, I am much more excited by the REAL original Freedom Train, and I am not sure whether I saw it or not. I vaguely remember when I was 3 years old my father drove past it at Union Station in Houston, although I could have confused seeing something else with seeing the actual train.
By the real Freedom Train, I mean the one that toured the nation in 1947 with the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and other original documents of our nation. Protected by a platoon of Marine Corps guards.
The train itself was not all that unusual-- a PA diesel on the point, some heavyweight baggage cars to house the exhibits, sleeper for the guards and exhibit crew.
I did to. ANd I have pics.
I was young then too, alas, and had hair....and my knees didn't ache, and my back was strong and my tummy was rock hard and flat and I was firm...
Now, if only I had a scanner to scan them in and post them....
-G
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
If you want the Real Freedom Train, run down to your nearest Hallmark Ornament Store! This year's release is a Lionel American Freedom Train. "Power" is a PA1, with a Heavyweight sleeper & Observation. For $18.50 for the PA & $12.50 (You may get lower prices @ stores like Kohl's that offer sales on ornaments). The train items are very close to Z scale!! You can swap the wheels on the ornaments with MTL Zscale wheels. Another modeler is using the new MTL GP to power the PA shell. (MTL is working on a ZSD40, not shure if that chassis could work to motor a PA?)
I suggest you check out the Zscale section of the TrainBoard Forum. There are also videos out on Youtube & other sources.
As the word gets out, I expect these ornaments to be a very hot item. Perhaps sales could convince the folks at Hallmark to do more ornaments in a RR scale size. They are very nicely decorated. The cars & trucks look great. The wheels are a little small & don't ask where they got the couplers from. I suspect some modeler may try mounting an MTL coupler onto the carbody.
I posted this link on the Train's list... but finding this thread, thought I'd put it here too in case there was interest.
This is a pic my dad took of how the Freedom Train AFT #1 was displayed in Morristown NJ. The cars were on another spur to the left of where we were standing when he took this shot.
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=217077&nseq=0
I saw the Freedom train in Morristown as well when I was only 12. That photo brings back memories, especially of polyester.
Ross Rowland had the whole Lionel HO Freedom Train set displayed in his office in the old CNJ Lebanon station.
Nelson
Ex-Southern 385 Being Hoisted
Erie Lackawanna wrote:Nelson... probably saw you there. I was 14 taking pics with an instamatic.
I had a Kodak Instamatic too! Unfortunately, I ditched all of those old photos in a move. My father took a lot of photos tho, so someday I'll have to dig them out of their basement.