B&O Railroad Museum Unveils Restored National Icon to Kick Off America250

BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 12, 2026--

The B&O Railroad Museum unveiled the restored American Freedom Train No. 1 (AFT No. 1) today, the locomotive that pulled the American Freedom Train during the U.S. Bicentennial, presenting the legendary locomotive as a gift to the nation to kick off the America250 celebration. Once a centerpiece of the 1976 Bicentennial, the locomotive has been restored to serve as a modern symbol of national unity.

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The unveiling ceremony included remarks from The Honorable Martin O’Malley, former two-term Governor of Maryland, representing the Maryland 250 Commission. He reflected on the Freedom Train’s enduring power to connect Americans through shared history and the fact that the railroad was Maryland’s gift to the nation. Bruno Maestri, Vice President of Government Affairs and Corporate Communications for Amtrak and B&O Railroad Museum Board Member, spoke about rail’s impact on the history of the country. The program culminated in a ribbon cutting to officially debut the restored locomotive.

As the American Freedom Train No. 1 was revealed, Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner’s song “Here Comes the Freedom Train” filled the Roundhouse, stirring memories of the train’s original journey and its impact on millions of Americans. The moment was made even more meaningful by the presence of original engineers from the 1975–76 Freedom Train, who returned to stand beside the locomotive they once guided across the nation.

“The American Freedom Train and the locomotive that pulled it, the AFT No. 1, were a touring museum carrying artifacts representing the best of our country,” said Kris Hoellen, Executive Director of the B&O Railroad Museum. “Today, we are honoring this great nation and the mode of transportation that made the Freedom Train possible – the railroad, which is celebrating 200 years in 2027. The AFT No. 1 serves as a bridge connecting these two important anniversaries.”

The AFT No. 1 was one of three locomotives that pulled the American Freedom Train, a traveling exhibition that brought over 500 pieces of Americana to 7 million Americans during the U.S. Bicentennial in 1975-76. Now, after a meticulous cosmetic restoration, it will stand as a permanent symbol of national unity.

The Honorable Martin O’Malley, former Governor of Maryland, spoke about the sentiment of connection: “Maryland is proud to be the home of this national treasure. By preserving the AFT No. 1, we are preserving the memories of millions of Americans and reinforcing the unity of our state and country.”

The MD Two Fifty Commission was created by an executive order from Governor Wes Moore to plan, encourage, and execute an inclusive state-wide commemoration of the 250th in Maryland. The B&O Railroad Museum is an official partner of the America250 Commission.

The public is invited to view the locomotive and the corresponding new exhibit starting at 1 p.m. today; the newly cosmetically restored AFT No. 1 will be on permanent display at the Museum. The restoration was supported in part by a federal Save America’s Treasures grant administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

About the B&O Railroad Museum

The 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 200th anniversary of American railroading in 2027, please visit www.americanrail200.org.

The American Freedom Train No. 1, which toured the country during the U.S. Bicentennial, is now on permanent display at the B&O Railroad Museum after a cosmetic restoration.

Explosions sounded in Tehran Wednesday as Iran's war with the U.S. and Israel entered a fifth day following earlier strikes on an Iranian nuclear site and retaliatory strikes by the Islamic Republic across the Gulf region.

The explosions around Tehran came at dawn, according to Iran state television, while Israel’s military said its air defenses had been activated to intercept incoming Iranian missiles and explosions were heard around Jerusalem.

Five days into a war that U.S. President Donald Trump suggested could last a month or longer, nearly 800 people have been killed in Iran, including some Trump said he had considered as possible future leaders of the country.

Explosions also hit Lebanon, where Israel said it is retaliating against Hezbollah militants. Lebanon’s state-run media reported that at least four people were killed in an Israeli strike that hit a residential complex in the city of Baalbeck.

Here is the latest:

The death toll from the strike on a residential complex in Baalbeck, Lebanon, rises to five, the state-run National News Agency reported.

Fifteen others were wounded and three are missing, it said.

Sirens have sounded Wednesday morning across Jordan, the kingdom’s state television reported.

An Israeli airstrike hit a hotel outside of Beirut, Lebanon’s state-run news agency reported Wednesday.

The strike came in Hazmieh, about 5 kilometers (3 miles) southeast of downtown Beirut.

The report from Lebanon’s National News Agency said ambulances had been dispatched to the scene.

It did not elaborate in its short report.

Asian shares tumbled Wednesday, with South Korea’s benchmark plunging as much as 11%, while oil prices climbed even higher.

Worries over the widening conflict with Iran have hammered most world markets.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 shed 3.4% to 54,346.73.

Japan, like South Korea, depends heavily on imports of oil and natural gas from the Middle East that are now stranded in the Persian Gulf.

The price of U.S. benchmark crude oil climbed 1.2% to $75.46 per barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, gained 1.5% to $82.61 per barrel.

Higher oil prices and how much they might worsen inflation are spooking investors worried that more spikes for oil prices may grind down the global economy and sap corporate profits.

An Iranian flag is placed among the ruins of a police station struck Monday during the U.S.–Israeli military campaign in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Firefighters inspect the rubble as smoke rises from a building hit by an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, a southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Jewish men covered in prayer shawls pray in an underground parking garage as a precaution against possible Iranian missile attacks, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

A coffin is carried during the funeral of mostly children killed in what Iranian officials said was an Israeli-U.S. strike Feb. 28 at a girls' elementary school in Minab, Iran, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (Abbas Zakeri/Mehr News Agency via AP)

A man takes shelter in an underground metro station as a precaution against possible Iranian missile attacks, in Ramat Gan, Israel Monday, March 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes in Dahiyeh, a southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)