The American Freedom train arrived in southern California on December 22, 1975, and the train was on display at the Los Angeles County Fair Grounds from the 23rd until the 30th. In the midst of A... (more)

Emergency trackwork is underway on the ICG in preparation of the movement of the American Freedom Train which can be seen in the background. Tom Golden photo.

In its third and final American Freedom Train paint scheme, former Reading 4-8-4 #2101, is seen taking a break between scheduled runs. Tom Golden photo.

Three years after being severely damaged in a Kentucky roundhouse fire, former Reading 4-8-4 2101 is stuffed and mounted at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore.

Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad GE 70-Tonner yard switcher No. 50, "American Freedom Train" 4-8-4 No. 1 (former Reading Railroad No. 2101) manufactured by Baldwin Locomotive Works and C... (more)

Cuesta Conquered

Amtrak's Transcontinental Steam Excursion crests the summit of Cuesta Grade, just north of San Luis Obispo, California, on April 27, 1977. In the process of ... (more)

Slugging it Out on Cuesta Grade

There are several tunnels on Southern Pacific’s Cuesta Grade, just north of San Luis Obispo, California – and it has been decades since they’ve ... (more)

Smoking in SLO

Amtrak's Transcontinental Steam Excursion puts on a show as it departs San Luis Obispo, California, on the morning of April 27, 1977. This excursion, led by fo... (more)

Central Coast Steam

Amtrak's Transcontinental Steam Excursion arrives in San Luis Obispo, where it will spend the night before assaulting Cuesta Grade as it heads to Oakland t... (more)

Following the Starlight Up the Coast

American Freedom Train 4-8-4 4449 is back on familiar rails as it departs Los Angeles with Amtrak's Transcontinental Steam Excursionmore)

Forget Cleveland…Chatsworth Rocks!

”Chatsworth Rocks” was the location of many publicity photos of Southern Pacific’s Coast Daylight back in the steam days, so it was,... (more)

Smokebox Inspection

Back in 1977, Los Angeles’ Union Station was not nearly as busy as it is today (2 Southwest Limiteds, 2 Coast Starlights, 8 San Diegans and... (more)

Union Station as Roundhouse

Back in 1977, Los Angeles’ Union Station was not nearly as busy as it is today (2 Southwest Limiteds, 2 Coast Starlights, 8 San Diegans... (more)

187-Feet Below Sea Level

Amtrak's 16 car Transcontinental Steam Excursion approaches Ferrum, California as it makes its way from Yuma, Arizona, to Los Angeles, Californ... (more)

Daylight in Yuma

Amtrak's Transcontinental Steam Excursion departs Yuma, Arizona, and is just about to cross into California, on April 24, 1977. After the American Fre... (more)