American Steam Railroad Preservation Association, Inc

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American Steam Railroad Preservation Association, Inc

Preserving America's Railway Heritage since 2005 www.americansteamrailroad.org

09/02/2026

If you were at the America 250 Locomotive Celebration in Spencer, N.C., you may have noticed our former stallmate! 🤝

31 commemorative locomotives from railroads of all sizes were gathered at the N.C. Transportation Museum’s historic Bob Julian Roundhouse for this once-in-a-lifetime celebration. Among them was Cincinnati Scenic Railway GP30 No. 1776, “Spirit of Lebanon”, which was brought to life here in Cleveland’s B&O roundhouse — right next to our own pride and joy, American Freedom Train steam locomotive No. 250.

In June, our two patriotic engines were posed side by side for a night photoshoot, and immediately after the GP30 left the paint booth, No. 250 entered for its own patriotic makeover.

The Cincinnati Scenic Railway’s generosity to ASR over the years, most notably last year’s benefit excursion with the Ohio Rail Experience, has not gone unnoticed. All of us at ASR congratulate our friends at Cincinnati, the Midwest Railway Preservation Society, Little Yellow Railroad/LKG Craftshop and all others involved in this magnificent locomotive for their well-deserved moment in the spotlight! 🇺🇸

We’ve already put a little STEAM in the spirit of this year’s America 250 celebrations, and you can keep progress rolling toward our first moves with a donation: www.americansteamrailroad.org/donate

08/29/2026

It’s said that all good things come in threes, and your support has let us take delivery of three BIG components recently — brand-new welded air tanks! ✅✅✅

This weekend, our contractors will hook up these tanks, along with other brake rigging components, thanks to your donations. We’ll have more to report very soon, and with your continued donations, we can keep this momentum rolling toward No. 250’s first moves under steam!

🫵 Will you become part of this progress? www.americansteamrailroad.org/donate

08/25/2026

As the American Freedom Train made its 25,000-mile sojourn throughout the country during the Bicentennial, a handful of notable people became woven into its tapestry. Among them was the queen of country music herself, Miss Dolly Parton.

With longtime collaborator Porter Wagoner, she released a version of the song “Here Comes the Freedom Train” in 1973, just as the effort behind the Freedom Train picked up traction. The foundation offered donors a 45 RPM record of the single, complete with autographs from Dolly and Porter, for a mere $10.00 donation.

The official AFT documentary “All Aboard America” not only borrows its title from the song’s lyrics, but also shows Dolly and Porter in the studio putting the song to tape.

The success of the Freedom Train needs no explanation to our followers, much like the success of Dolly’s illustrious six-decade musical career. Today, nearly 50 years after the Freedom Train cleared its last milepost, the world mourns Dolly’s passing, and our hearts are with the Parton family and all those whose lives she made brighter.

08/24/2026

🔥 $4,200 raised, $2,300 TO GO! We could make BIG PROGRESS on No. 250’s BRAKES this month if you donate today! www.americansteamrailroad.org/donate 🔥

No matter the size of your contribution, it will help put our contractors to work this weekend lacing up linkage, valves, piping and copper lines to return the air brake system to service. Your giving is needed — will you help us reach another milestone?

08/20/2026

American Freedom Train No. 250 just reached another major milestone this year, but that doesn’t mean progress is slowing down — take a look at our latest video update to get a preview of work on the AIR BRAKES!

📣 This month, your support is needed to close a critical $6,500 funding gap to return the brakes to operation! Whether a donation, gift store purchase or membership, contributions of any and all sizes are welcome. Make an online tax-deductible donation here: www.americansteamrailroad.org/donate 🇺🇸

08/10/2026

🛠️ Just because locomotive No. 250 looks complete and steams like a dream, that doesn’t mean there isn’t more work to do! From cab wiring and electronics to reinstalling the running gear, our volunteers are still needed for a variety of projects — and if you’ve been daydreaming about getting HANDS-ON with railroad history, we’ll gladly welcome you aboard! 🧑‍🏭

Our volunteers must be age 16 or older, have a signed permission slip from a parent or guardian if under 18, be in good physical health and be current ASR members. The dress code is jeans or bib overalls, steel-toe boots, work gloves, safety glasses and 100% cotton clothing.

The first step to joining our crew is BECOMING A MEMBER — then you can get in touch with us, complete an on-site orientation and safety training, and you’re set! Memberships start at $35.00 per year and also entitle you to emailed notices of news and events and our exclusive quarterly newsletter “The Rambler”. Join up here: www.americansteamrailroad.org/join 🇺🇸

08/03/2026

If you visited locomotive No. 250 under steam this summer, you may have noticed something was missing — the rhythmic thumping of the cross-compound air compressors. That changed during the Cleveland Whistle Blow, when our contractors test-ran both pumps for the first time under steam.

These important machines generate compressed air for the brakes and other air-powered appliances. While a full test will require new air tanks to be made and installed, this cycling gave us a great deal of confidence in their suitability for service. Since our locomotive has only seen occasional use since it was last overhauled in the 1980s, we found that most of the appliances remained in good shape, and these were no exception.

A total of $9,300 needs to be raised to cover the three new air tanks ($3,100 each), which will make a big difference in the $75,000 remaining for No. 250’s restoration! Consider helping us meet this critical expense with a DONATION: www.americansteamrailroad.org/donate

07/30/2026

— Of all the steam locomotives in the long history of the Reading Company, the last one to leave the railroad’s property was our own No. 2100, pictured in September of 1967 by an unknown photographer. By this time, it had been nearly three years since the locomotive’s last run on October 17, 1964: not only the last Iron Horse Ramble, but also the last steam-powered train on the Reading.

On January 25, 1967, No. 2101 was waybilled to Striegel Supply & Equipment Co. in Baltimore, Md., for storage, and on June 17, No. 2102 was waybilled to Akron, Ohio, where it began its storied post-Reading career. 2100, however, lingered on the property until September 29, when it was waybilled to join 2101 at Striegel, bringing a true end to the Reading steam era.

Thanks to the foresight and dedication of many, No. 2100 is closer than ever to its new life as American Freedom Train No. 250 — and if you become an ASR member for as little as $35.00 per year, you’ll receive our quarterly newsletter “The Rambler”, with exclusive stories, volunteer spotlights and genuine Reading correspondence like this! See our membership tiers here: www.americansteamrailroad.org/join

07/28/2026

🎉🚂 Our STEAMING INTO 2026 T-shirts have arrived and they’re selling fast! We can’t think of a better way to celebrate locomotive No. 250’s return to steam and new patriotic dress. Proceeds help us steam out of the roundhouse! www.americansteamrailroad.org/shop/p/steaming-into-2026 🇺🇸🛤️

07/22/2026

🛠️ After a two-month work blitz, American Freedom Train No. 250 rolled into the June sunshine looking the best it has in decades — with a fresh boiler jacket and a brand-new paint job! In our latest video update, you’ll hear about how this was accomplished, who was behind the work, and what’s next in this historic restoration. 🇺🇸

With $75,000 left to raise and the finish line near, your contributions of all sizes make a bigger impact than ever! Consider a one-time or recurring donation here: www.americansteamrailroad.org/donate

Address

2800 W. 3rd Street
Cleveland, OH
44113

Website

https://www.americansteamrailroad.org/

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