Which train toured the 48 contiguous U.S. states in 1975–76 as a traveling exhibit for the American Bicentennial?

The train that toured the 48 contiguous U.S. states in 1975–76 as a traveling American Bicentennial exhibit was the American Freedom Train.

The train began its journey in Wilmington, Delaware, on April 1, 1975. It traveled for 21 months and covered 25,388 miles, bringing historical artifacts and cultural objects to communities around the country. Its route concluded on December 31, 1976.

The exhibit used 26 cars and was hauled by three famous steam locomotives at different stages: Reading Company No. 2101, Southern Pacific No. 4449, and Texas & Pacific No. 610. The train’s red, white, and blue appearance made it immediately recognizable.

It is sometimes confused with the earlier Freedom Train of 1947–49, which also toured the United States but was a separate project. The 1975–76 train specifically commemorated the nation’s Bicentennial and helped bring the celebration beyond major official venues.