Ross Rowland, President of the American Fred om Train Foundation, Inc. who brought you the Bi-Centennial American Freedom Train 1975-76 is launching AFT. 2.0 to bring it back for the 250the anniversary of the birth of the this Great Country. AFT 1.0 is the blue print and foundation of this remarkable venture and is sure to excite rail fans and the public alike. Slated to start in 2024, the "Freedom Train" will be powered by at least four historic steam locomotives. Negotiations are continuing but U.P. 844 is likely to pull a segment, maybe the #4449, the newly rebuilt Reading and Northern 4-8-4 T-1, 2102, one of the restored ATSF engines, #3751 or 2926, MILW #261, #1225, NKP 765 and possibly others, including the newly restored 4-6-2 Florida East Coast #153. The cars will feature a moving walk-way and some of the many historic arti-facts from the Smithsonian museums that were included in the 1976 train will be on board. The route and times are also in the planning stages with many of the display sites across the Country not available because of mergers, development, abandonment's and removal of unnecessary track. The train will be 24 cars long and will begin its Nationwide tour at Wilmington De. on Veterans Day 2024. It will travel 48 states and visit 125 cities. It will end its journey at Steamtown, National Historic Site at Scranton, Pa. on Veterans day. 2027. "Proceeds from the admission to the train will be donated to the Medal of Honor Institute and the Hidden Hero's Fund to help the caregivers of the estimated 10,000 veterans who have come home severely wounded since 9/11. The Pennies for Peace imitative will encourage middle and high school children across the Country to sumbit a 500 word essay on how they intend to contribute preserving our Freedom and World peace in the future." Winners will be selected from Counties and States across the Country with a Grand Prize awarded to the winner. The AFT Foundation is a 501c(3). More information by visiting www.freedomtrain.org. Written by Mike Pdechner, AFT Volunteer from information directly from the incomparable Ross Rowland, used by permission.