Will Amtrak Let the American Freedom Train Roll?

By Jeffrey H. Anderson

For America’s glorious Bicentennial celebration, a gleaming red, white, and blue steam train traveled across the country with an on-board presentation honoring America’s history and heroes. The American Freedom Train drew huge crowds, over 50,000 at some stops, while many more heard its memorable whistle calling through their towns. Bicentennial committee head John Warner said the train was “certainly the most visible and national” of all the Bicentennial offerings and helped “sew together” locally planned celebrations.

Fifty years later, the Quarter-Millennial version of the American Freedom Train is set to hit the tracks in October and bring the celebration to the people across the following 11 months — but it can only do so if Amtrak will allow it to travel across the country. Read the rest here.