I was reading up on the American Freedom Train and learned that 4014 and 4449 have an interesting connection.
In 1975 during the Westbound leg of the AFT, there was some sort of problem with the 4449's injector. Obviously it worked, but they weren't happy with it. In December 1975 the train displayed in Pomona, CA at the fairgrounds. Apparently someone noticed that, hey, the UP 4014 had a pretty good looking injector! A deal was made, and from Pomona on the 4449 ran with the 4014's injector!
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The AFT is one of my favorite trains (Its a natural since I like trains and the Bicentennial
). The Bicentennial gave America something to feel good about and something to come together as Americans to celebrate America. I know times have changed and 4014's restoration is not a sure thing but wouldn't it be great we could have something like the American Freedom Train again. I don't think I will make it to the Tricentennial in 2076 and frankly some days I have doubts the USA will. The 250th anniversary of the founding of the USA would be in 2026 only 12 years away. If the good Lord sees fit to keep me and the country that alive long, I think 4014 should pull a Bicenquinquagenary celebration train.
Yes,according to Wikipedia and The Straight Dope a 250th anniversary is a Bicenquinquagenary. Maybe we should go with 250th anniversary celebration
I do understand this would cost many millions. I do understand the economy is bad and patriotism is not in style anymore. But the same could have been said about the era of the original American Freedom train. The 1973 Oil Crisis /1973–74 stock market crash , Vietnam war and Watergate did a number on our economy and morale much like the 2008 Subprime mortgage collapse, endless Middle East wars and NSA scandal have done now.
