BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 11, 2025--
The B&O Railroad Museum will unveil the newly restored American Freedom Train No. 1 (AFT No. 1) on January 12, 2026, as part of the Museum’s contribution to the national America 250 celebration. The restoration of this iconic locomotive—an enduring symbol of unity and patriotism from the 1975/76 U.S. Bicentennial—is the Museum’s gift to the nation as it prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary. The Museum will also debut a new exhibit devoted to the historic journey of the American Freedom Train including a multimedia presentation of the Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner song, “Here Comes the Freedom Train.” Dolly Parton’s song will be played during the unveiling ceremony on January 12.
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The unveiling will also launch a yearlong series of programs, exhibitions, and events at the Museum centered on both the AFT No. 1 and America 250, culminating in the celebration of the 200th anniversary of American railroading in 2027 —an era that began in 1827 at the very site where the B&O Railroad Museum stands today.
“The AFT No. 1 captured the hearts and imaginations of millions during its Bicentennial tour,” said Kris Hoellen, Executive Director of the B&O Railroad Museum. “Restoring this locomotive in time for America 250 allows us to honor that legacy and share a renewed symbol of national pride and unity. We are thrilled to present this restoration as our gift to the nation during this historic milestone.”
An American Icon
The AFT No. 1 powered the American Freedom Train of 1975–1976, a traveling Bicentennial exhibition that carried more than 500 pieces of Americana, including George Washington’s copy of the Constitution, Benjamin Franklin’s handwritten draft of the Articles of Confederation, the original Louisiana Purchase, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s robes, Judy Garland's dress from The Wizard of Oz, and a lunar rover. During its 21-month journey, the train visited 138 cities in all 48 contiguous states and was viewed by more than 7 million Americans. The locomotive now held by the B&O Railroad Museum is the only one of the original three locomotives that remains in its authentic American Freedom Train paint scheme.
Now restored, the AFT No. 1 will be prominently and permanently displayed as part of the Museum’s collection, honoring its singular role in carrying the story of America across the nation.
Labor of Love
The cosmetic restoration of the AFT No. 1 was completed in six months. The restoration team replaced necessary jacketing, repaired wiring for headlights, class lights, and tab lights, and successfully abated any rust. The original paint colors were created in its modern formula. The seal and graphics were painted by artists David and Liné Tutwiler. David has a long relationship with the American Freedom Train. During the Bicentennial, his painting American Freedom Train was purchased by Pepsi Co., one of the Bicentennial sponsors, for display in their corporate offices. Pepsi also later hired David to ride in the cab from Ogden, Utah, to Boise, Idaho, to create additional works of the train and capture its journey throughout the Western side of the country.
Press Preview
On Monday, January 12, at 11 a.m., the B&O Railroad Museum is offering a special preview of the AFT No. 1 for press only. The preview will take place inside the Museum’s 1884 historic and patriotic Roundhouse and include the opportunity to take photos inside the cab. Event is subject to change should weather prevent moving locomotive. Please RSVP to Stephanie Jayakanthan at sjayakanthan@borail.org. The locomotive will be available for viewing for the general public beginning at 1 pm on January 12.
The cosmetic restoration of the American Freedom Train No. 1 was supported in part by a Federal Save America’s Treasures grant administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and by generous private donors.
About the B&O Railroad Museum
T he B&O Railroad Museum, located in Baltimore, Md., is the birthplace of American railroading, a National Historic Landmark, a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate, and a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site. It is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of American railroading and its impact on American life, socially, culturally and economically. The Museum is home to the oldest, most comprehensive collection of railroad artifacts in the Western Hemisphere, including an unparalleled roster of 19th and 20th century railroad equipment, over 30 million archival documents, the 1851 Mt. Clare Station, the 1884 Baldwin Roundhouse as well as the first mile of commercial railroad track ever laid in America. The Museum welcomes guests annually from all 50 states and 40 countries. For more information about the Museum, please call 410- 752-2490 or visit www.BORail.org. For more information about America 250 at the B&O Railroad Museum, please visit borail.events/America250. For more information on the 200 th anniversary of American railroading in 2027, please visit www.americanrail200.org.
The unveiling of the cosmetic restoration of the American Freedom Train No. 1 will be held on January 12, 2026.
MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) — Washington state was under a state of emergency Thursday from a barrage of torrential rain that has sent rivers flowing over their banks, caused a mudslide to crash down on a highway and trapped people in floodwaters. Tens of thousands of residents could face evacuation orders.
Heavy rain continued to fall over parts of the state Thursday morning, prompting rising rivers, road closures, water rescues and suspension of Amtrak trains between Seattle and Vancouver. Rainfall intensity increased in several counties in Washington's Cascade Mountains, which had seen up to 6 inches (15.2 centimeters) of rain in a 24-hour period. One area, Snoqualmie Pass, picked up an additional 1.7 inches (4.3 centimeters) of rain in six hours, the National Weather Service said.
Emergency management officials urged residents not to drive through standing water. Those who live near rivers were advised to stay alert to evacuation orders.
“We ask you to be prepared. Be at the ready state right now. Have your bags packed,” Arel Solie, director of Pierce County Emergency Management, told KOMO-TV on Thursday morning.
After days of seemingly unrelenting heavy rain Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency by Wednesday night, warning "lives will be at stake in the coming days.” Some residents have already been ordered to higher ground, with Skagit County, a major agricultural region north of Seattle, ordering those within the Skagit River’s floodplain to evacuate.
“Catastrophic flooding is likely” in many areas and the state is requesting water rescue teams and boats, Ferguson said on the social media platform X on Wednesday night.
Hundreds of National Guard members will be sent to help communities, said Gent Welsh, adjutant general of the Washington National Guard.
In a valley leading out to the foothills of Mount Rainier southeast of Seattle, Pierce County sheriff’s deputies on Wednesday rescued people at an RV park in Orting, including helping one man in a Santa hat wade through waist-deep water. Part of the town was ordered to evacuate over concerns about the Puyallup River’s extremely high levels and upstream levees.
A landslide blocked part of Interstate 90 east of Seattle, with photos from Eastside Fire & Rescue showing vehicles trapped by tree trunks, branches, mud and standing water. Officials also closed a mountainous section of U.S. 2 due to rocks, trees and mud.
More than 17,000 customers in Washington were without electricity Thursday, according to PowerOutage.us.
The Skagit River was expected to crest at roughly 47 feet (14.3 meters) in the mountain town of Concrete early Thursday, and roughly 41 feet (12 meters) in Mount Vernon early Friday.
“We feel very confident that we can handle a ‘normal flood,’ but no one really knows what a 41, 42 foot river looks like south of Mount Vernon," Darrin Morrison, a commissioner for Dike District 3 in Skagit County, said during a public meeting Wednesday night.
The county was closing non-essential government services Thursday, including all district and superior court services.
Flooding from the river has long plagued Mount Vernon, the largest city in the county with some 35,000 residents. Flooding in 2003 displaced hundreds of people.
The city completed a floodwall in 2018 that helps protect the downtown. It passed a major test in 2021, when the river crested near record levels.
But the city is on high alert. The historic river levels expected Friday could top the wall, and some are worried that older levees could fail.
“It could potentially be catastrophic,” said Ellen Gamson, executive director of the Mount Vernon Downtown Association.
Jake Lambly added sandbags, tested water pumps and moved valuables to the top floor of the home he shares with his 19-year-old son.
“This is my only asset,” he said Wednesday from his front porch. “I got nothing else.”
Harrison Rademacher, a meteorologist with the weather service in Seattle, described the atmospheric river soaking the region as “a jet stream of moisture” stretching across the Pacific Ocean “with the nozzle pushing right along the coast of Oregon and Washington.”
In Sumas, a small city along the U.S.-Canada border, a flood siren rang out at city hall and residents were told to leave. The border crossing was also closed to southbound commercial vehicles to leave more room for evacuations, according to the Abbotsford Police Department.
Climate change has been linked to some intense rainfall. Scientists say that without specific study they cannot directly link a single weather event to climate change, but in general it’s responsible for more intense and more frequent extreme storms, droughts, floods and wildfires.
Another storm system is expected to bring more rain starting Sunday.
“The pattern looks pretty unsettled going up to the holidays," Rademacher said.
Rush reported from Portland, Oregon. Associated Press writers Gene Johnson and Hallie Golden in Seattle; Martha Bellisle in Issaquah, Washington; Sarah Brumfield in Cockeysville, Maryland; and Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire; contributed to this report.
A flag ripples in the wind as snow falls in Lowville, New York, on Tuesday night, Dec. 9, 2025. The area faces a winter storm warning through Thursday. (AP Photo/Cara Anna)
Rescue workers with Chehalis Fire venture into a flooded neighborhood to pick up evacuees after heavy rains, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in Chehalis, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
A man checks on a car caught in flooding after heavy rains Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in Napavine, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
