American Freedom Train

Please do a search. there was a comparison of Lionel vs. K-line.

AFT - K-Line vs Lionel

Keep in mind there is only one Lionel 21" car; all the rest are 18" like K-lines.  18" is the correct length for nearly all the AFT's cars since they were originally NYC baggage cars (9100 series).  The only two cars longer than 18" (72'), besides the 85' flatcars, were the "Tool Car" (originally an 80' HW combine) and the "Sleeping Car" (originally an 85' 4-4-2 sleeper).  The Sleeping Car is the Lionel 21" car.

Ron very helpful reply. 

Have all 18 Kline cars and 2 MTH baggage cars, Have the Kline GS4 the MTH GS4 and the MTH T1. I am very happy with the set. Over 30 feet of Red, White and Blue. When I take it to train shows and Run it on our modular layout I always get a lot of comments.

I have friends that have the Lionel cars and engines and they are very nice also.

You will be happy with either of them.  

I have the Lionel set from 2003, it’s beautiful, however the engine is a simple TMCC command equipped engine.  I do wish it were Legacy Command.  

Hers one of my train

Gorgeous. 

Most of us think of the 1975 to 1976 AFT.  But there was one in the 1940's powered with a PA.

A lot of folks confuse the 1975-76 American Freedom Train with the 1947-49 Freedom Train.  The American Freedom Train, commonly referred to as the AFT, celebrated our country's 200th birthday (bicentennial celebration).  Thom's photo show his AFT.

The Freedom Train's purpose was to sell America to Americans.  After WWII, some politicians thought Americans were taking America for granted and the Freedom Train was one way of getting Americans excited about America and its values again.  Leapinlarry's photos show Lionel's version of the Freedom Train.

I know I'm getting off topic, but here is an interesting tidbit for you:  The Freedom Train's ALCO PA is the only known engine to have traveled to all the lower 48 states (actually, all the states at that time).