In all my years of warching related UA-cam creators, never have I seen a collaboration with two legends in the field: a railway documentary pioneer with over 100k subs, and the founder of the American Freedom Train itself. Bravo!
Awesome! A full documentary of the 30-day miracle. Unexpectedly and got by surprise that famous Ross Rowland was featured. It is a great relief that 4449 was saved when a cracked crown sheet was discovered. If it haven't been for that welding expert, I wouldn't see her at Train Festival 2009, and my grandparents, two uncles and my dad wouldn't see her with the Freedom Train. Miracles can happen to any steam locomotives when restorations can take place if they're in good condition. Big Boy 4014 is a one of the bestest examples when converted to oil burning thanks to the efforts of the UP steam team just in time for the 150th Anniversary of the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad.
I got to see 2101 in person last year and her sister 2124. I also saw 759 last year, as well as 763 in 2021 with CP 1278 and NKP 757. I always thought the American Freedom Train was the best train that ever ran on the rails of the USA.
Since I discovered 2101 in the railroad franchise, I got attached to the locomotive rapidly and gained interest into her. I had seen her yesterday at the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum, it was truly one of my greatest experiences in a life time. Unfortunately they haven't been able to cosmetically restore her because of the bad track underneath her, I am still thankful she is still in presentable condition and for Ross Rowland bringing her into the American freedom train franchise. Godspeed 2101! 🚂 🇺🇸 💙❤🤍🇺🇸
@@Railman1225 Yes, that's what one of the higher staff there told me, she's been there since labor day of 1979, she has not been moved at all since then, even then if they did try to move her, I also noticed her lead truck and some drive axles perhaps derailed too, which can damage those and other components of the locomotive
@@Ambitious_Scripter yikes. well, i hope they someday figure out a way to rescue her, it'd be really nice to see her _mostly_ brought back to her former glory, especially AFT-wise!
As railfans we should thank and owe a lot to his work and the legacy helped inspire, God bless you Ross and to all steam entrepreneurs who made it possible
Nice job on the documentary, and I also had no idea this other nickel plate road steam engine I never heard of was also considered for the train lol, and something regarding the N&W 611 when it was considered for the train and judging by what I found, the piece of art the lionel model is based on was drawn in 1974 and my best guess is it was probably before they found the SP 4449 and went with that instead since it was being restored late 1974 probably, heck the 611 design without the bullet nose was used for the official AFT logo despite the engine not being used from what it said, though the question remains on why the 611 wasn’t chosen depending on what problems it had, not that it’s really a big deal or anything but just a mystery.
Great video! How in the heck you managed to get in contact with Ross Rowland himself is beyond me. To paraphrase Babcock and Wilcox, "You must know some people!"
Have you read the article “a passion for steam trackside photographer”? If not, it tells the sweet/tragic story of Richard Jensen and his steam locomotives(mostly GTW 5629). Helpful information, if you ever want to make any documentaries about such a topic.
@@TrainGuru LS&I 18 was one of four steam locomotives the Grand Canyon Railway first bought, and it was restored first, since it was purchased from a group in Wisconsin that was in the process of rebuilding her, but it was never finished. 18 came to Williams still dead in August 1989, and just 28 days later, it pulled the GCRY’s inaugural train. And keep in mind, this restoration didn’t come with a deadline like the 30-day miracle did.
Well 30 restoration is possible but that’s like 99.1% but when you have literally 100 Railfans Flocking all over the country to help restore a Steam Locomotive yea it’s possible
In all my years of warching related UA-cam creators, never have I seen a collaboration with two legends in the field: a railway documentary pioneer with over 100k subs, and the founder of the American Freedom Train itself. Bravo!
I’ll make a video at some point talking about how it was made. But thanks for the compliment!
@@TrainGuru is there a way to meet him? (R o s s)
You can visit the New Hope & Ivyland Railroad. Chances are that you’ll see him some day.
@@TrainGuru It just so happens that I was there about a month ago. I don't think I saw him there tho.
@@Pensyfan19
*Press F to pay respecc*
F
All right awesome! and I worked with thunderbolt on one of my thomas comic dubs once.
Splendid
Amazing video of 2101! It really was a miracle!
Awesome! A full documentary of the 30-day miracle. Unexpectedly and got by surprise that famous Ross Rowland was featured. It is a great relief that 4449 was saved when a cracked crown sheet was discovered. If it haven't been for that welding expert, I wouldn't see her at Train Festival 2009, and my grandparents, two uncles and my dad wouldn't see her with the Freedom Train. Miracles can happen to any steam locomotives when restorations can take place if they're in good condition. Big Boy 4014 is a one of the bestest examples when converted to oil burning thanks to the efforts of the UP steam team just in time for the 150th Anniversary of the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad.
I got to see 2101 in person last year and her sister 2124. I also saw 759 last year, as well as 763 in 2021 with CP 1278 and NKP 757. I always thought the American Freedom Train was the best train that ever ran on the rails of the USA.
Since I discovered 2101 in the railroad franchise, I got attached to the locomotive rapidly and gained interest into her. I had seen her yesterday at the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum, it was truly one of my greatest experiences in a life time. Unfortunately they haven't been able to cosmetically restore her because of the bad track underneath her, I am still thankful she is still in presentable condition and for Ross Rowland bringing her into the American freedom train franchise. Godspeed 2101! 🚂 🇺🇸 💙❤🤍🇺🇸
Wait, "bad track"? Do you mean the condition of the track under 2101 is so bad that they can't even move her?
@@Railman1225 Yes, that's what one of the higher staff there told me, she's been there since labor day of 1979, she has not been moved at all since then, even then if they did try to move her, I also noticed her lead truck and some drive axles perhaps derailed too, which can damage those and other components of the locomotive
@@Ambitious_Scripter yikes. well, i hope they someday figure out a way to rescue her, it'd be really nice to see her _mostly_ brought back to her former glory, especially AFT-wise!
@@Railman1225 I hope so aswell, she was really worn down when I went there
Same here, I've seen it in the back yard of the museum and sadly it's a shell of it's former self.
Awesome work!!!
This was great, I really enjoyed this and learned a lot.
Thank you!
As railfans we should thank and owe a lot to his work and the legacy helped inspire, God bless you Ross and to all steam entrepreneurs who made it possible
Well said!
@@TrainGuru Thanks
Nice one Luke. Very much a cool part of a railway history.
Thanks!
This is by far one of your best videos my friend. Awesome job!
Only if I could improve my microphone…
The infamous steam engine restoration Speedrun 😎
Nice job on the documentary, and I also had no idea this other nickel plate road steam engine I never heard of was also considered for the train lol, and something regarding the N&W 611 when it was considered for the train and judging by what I found, the piece of art the lionel model is based on was drawn in 1974 and my best guess is it was probably before they found the SP 4449 and went with that instead since it was being restored late 1974 probably, heck the 611 design without the bullet nose was used for the official AFT logo despite the engine not being used from what it said, though the question remains on why the 611 wasn’t chosen depending on what problems it had, not that it’s really a big deal or anything but just a mystery.
Great video! How in the heck you managed to get in contact with Ross Rowland himself is beyond me.
To paraphrase Babcock and Wilcox, "You must know some people!"
I’ll make a video explaining how I made it.
nice video mate
Thank you!
ross better make this new aft good
Have you read the article “a passion for steam trackside photographer”? If not, it tells the sweet/tragic story of Richard Jensen and his steam locomotives(mostly GTW 5629). Helpful information, if you ever want to make any documentaries about such a topic.
I have not read the article, however I do know of Richard Jensen very well. I’ll look up the article.
WHAT?!? THIS IS UNHEARD OF!!!
I hacked into the FBI to obtain and release this story!
Haha!
@@TrainGuru did ye find out who stole the beans yet?
It’s still a mystery…
14:20 hey cool thats my picture, anyway I really enjoyed this documentary
Thank you!
Your video was so good I'm actually making A2101 out of cardboard and try to fire it up I love your videos
Thank you!
what happens to American Freedom Train Alco Pa-1 no.1776 ( Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Railroad 292)?
It was scrapped.
@@TrainGuru
what purpose is ALCO PA-1 for the American Freedom Train?
It was used for the original American freedom train. The first one was between 1947 to 1949.
@@TrainGuru can you please make documentary video about this American Freedom train Alco pa-1?
Maybe.
Hello
Can you do 2716 and take about it history
Maybe…
Dont forget about T&P 610
I did not. Maybe I will cover her story in the future.
@@TrainGuru she is my favorite steam locomotive
What if I told you that Lake Superior and Ishpeming No. 18 was restored in 1989…..in just Twenty-Eight Days?
What?
@@TrainGuru LS&I 18 was one of four steam locomotives the Grand Canyon Railway first bought, and it was restored first, since it was purchased from a group in Wisconsin that was in the process of rebuilding her, but it was never finished. 18 came to Williams still dead in August 1989, and just 28 days later, it pulled the GCRY’s inaugural train. And keep in mind, this restoration didn’t come with a deadline like the 30-day miracle did.
I didn’t know that! I will do 18 sooner than later and I will mention that in the video I’ll do about her.
@@TrainGuru If you’re going to do that, would you like me to help you with the info about her and her class?
Sure!
*2 1 0 1*- cough cough i mean nice
edit: how did the roundhouse catch fire? ik it isnt related to this vid but still
That’s a story for another day… I’ll talk about the roundhouse fire when I do a Steam Locomotive Profiles episode on the Reading T1’s. Stay tuned!
I saw a video that states that they couldn't determine an official cause. But they believe the fire was electrical in nature.
@@JCBro-yg8vd that’s what Rowland told me.
Well 30 restoration is possible but that’s like 99.1% but when you have literally 100 Railfans Flocking all over the country to help restore a Steam Locomotive yea it’s possible
True. But that’ll be the last time ever that a steam engine was restored in 30 days.
Reading 2101 is in poor shape it should be restored to operation again
10:23