Today I received my last four passenger cars for my K-Line American Freedom Train. It was a journey that began 10 years ago. I was introduced into trains by a good family friend Don Jordan back in the mid 90's. My interest in trains declined in the early 2000's due to me graduating high school and entering the work force however I would always visit my friend Don and hang out with him at train shows or train stores. Around 2004 Don asked me to look on the internet for a specific train set he's always had his eye on. It was the K-Line AFT set. I said sure, no problem. I did some searching and found the set that was released around 2002. It was a steam engine with tender and 5 passenger cars. It was an eBay purchase and we won the auction. Don was so excited that he couldn't wait for it to ship. We got in touch with the seller and asked if we could pick it up. The seller agreed and we drove from the northwest Chicago suburbs to central Indiana to pick it up. It was a victorious day for Don. A few days after bringing the set home Don made a shelf on his living room wall and placed the train set on the shelf. He was very proud. Don retired in 2005 and moved to southern Illinois. Around this time I had met a girl and we were going steady. I would visit Don every now and then considereing I helped him move and drive the uhaul truck to his new home. In early 2006 we found out my wife was pregnant. We were having a boy. It was a very joyous time. Don gave me all sorts of advice on raising a family. My son was do in late October of 2006. As 2006 passed from spring to summer to fall my good friend Dons health took a turn for the worse. I stayed in contact with his family to check on him. My friend passed in early October, a week before my son was born. Shortly after I brought my newborn son home I drove to see his family in southern Illinois to pay my respects. After speaking with the family, Don had left the K-Line AFT set with me to give to my newborn son. I didn't know what to say. All the memories I have with that train set and my friend Don will forever be passed on to my son. My mission from that point on was to complete the set. It was easier said than done. I would search all websites. Whenever I could afford it I would buy a passenger car. Today I finally ended my journey and completed the set. I received the 4 pack add on set in the mail today. My son will be 10 years old this October. I have another son who is 8 months. My oldest and I have made a pact to find him a train set that is as equally important as the AFT train set. Our journey on that set begins today. I know Don would be proud. Please enjoy my pictures. I will try to post a video soon. Thank you.
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