Erie Lacakwanna towing the American Freedom Train

Can anyone help me piece together the events surrounding this photo? From the collection of Hal Carstens.

-otto-

In 'Trackside around Scranton with Ed Miller', there's a photo of that same set of head-end helpers with the AFT. This was CR's first summer, notice the 3rd GP35 is black, not grey and maroon, and the AFT was heading out of Scranton. Whether eastbound or westbound, I don't recall just now.

-Micah

Summer '76 would make sense for an AFT tour! Thanks!

AFT was in Scranton July 19-21 1976 and also per the freedom train website..."The AFT left Scranton July 22 at 5:20 PM, headed over Mt. Pocono. Two E-L GP35s and a PC Geep were used as helpers." Thhe train was on its way to Morristown and was displayed at the Mennen plant there on 7/23-7/25. I was only 1 at the time but I have a few pictures of my mom holding me in front of the 2101 there. Think I still have a ticket stub too somewhere.

Thanks for the info! Very helpful!

Otto -

This link is very good....note the timeline info -

http://freedomtrain.org/american-freedom-train-home.htm

I was 26 when the AFT was at Mennen and somewhere have a couple dozen pics.

" Locomotive #1 (2101) spent some time in the shops of the Morristown & Erie Railroad -- her tender sticking out like a dog too big for its doghouse -- while the rest of the train headed to New York where Long Island Railroad diesels pulled the train through (under) Manhattan/Penn Station -- where the steam locomotive couldn't go. "

This notation shook my memory bank. AIR, the Reading 2101 derailed on the sharp curve above the M&E shops during her servicing stay in Morristown. At around 7 a.m. the next morning ( Sunday ? ) caught her spotted up near the switch to the Westbound Main awaiting clearance to head West light. About a dozen fans joined me as we dodged a couple MU trains coming and going while snappin photos. She finally got the 'GO' and pulled out as I scrambled back to my car with intentions of chasing her out to Dover. Well, forget that !! Only caught a fleeting glimse of her belching/chugging thru Morris Plains as she was doing 'track speed' by then - quite a sight for sure !

Anyway, dano nailed the info for you above.

These tickets are pretty darn neat!!

Anyone have some originals in their collection??
http://freedomtrain.org/american-freedo ... own-nj.htm