Chugga-chugga, history buffs and train enthusiasts! The B&O Railroad Museum has just unveiled a fully restored piece of American heritage. That's right, the locomotive of America's Freedom Train, an icon of the country's 1976 bicentennial celebrations, has been brought back to its former glory. This piece of Americana traveled throughout the United States carrying treasured artifacts, and now, as the nation gears up to celebrate its 250th anniversary, it's ready to delight a new generation.
The train once carried over 500 pieces of Americana, from George Washington's copy of the Constitution to the robes of Martin Luther King Jr., and props from the Wizard of Oz. Its restoration was a meticulous process, designed to stay true to the train's original design. This meant giving its exterior a fresh coat of paint, fixing the headlights, and all the other bits and bobs that needed mending. It's a testament to the skilled hands at the museum and their commitment, according to WBALTV.
Digging deeper into this locomotive's lore, it's not just the train that tells a story but the people behind it. Stephen Wickersham, who uniquely dropped out of college to ride the tracks when he heard about the Freedom Train back in '74, started what would become a 42-year career in railroading. He was there at the museum, the last surviving member of the original train crew, getting all misty-eyed seeing the big toy he once rode looking shiny and new. "It's just brought a tear to my eye to see her looking great again," Wickersham stated, as per WMAR2-News.
The B&O Railroad Museum hasn't stopped at a simple spit-and-polish job, however. Visitors can expect a year-long slew of interesting programs to lead up to another huge milestone: the 200th anniversary of American railroads in 2027.
For those wanting to catch a glimpse of yesteryear's glory, reminiscing about the Freedom Train's gallivanting journey across 48 states and 138 cities, or merely indulging in a spot of patriotic sentimentality, the B&O Railroad Museum is the place to be.
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