Which locomotive first pulled the 1975–1976 American Freedom Train?

Reading 2101 was the first locomotive to pull the 1975–1976 American Freedom Train.

Reading 2101 was a Reading Company T-1 class 4-8-4 steam locomotive. It led the train at the start of the Bicentennial tour, which began in Wilmington, Delaware, in April 1975.

The train later used two other famous steam locomotives for different regions: Southern Pacific No. 4449 handled much of the western route, and Texas & Pacific No. 610 pulled the train through Texas. Their regional assignments reflected the practical difficulties of moving a very long exhibition train over different railroad systems.

The locomotive numbers can be confusing. Reading 2101 is the historic engine associated with the original 1975–1976 tour, while Reading 2100 was later restored in connection with a proposed 2026 Freedom Train project. The original train also sometimes needed diesel assistance because of track conditions and operational problems.