Then there is the bizarre option of returning the 2101 to steam. In all liklihood, the fire in which she was caught did cosmetic damage, and little more. Sure, I understand the reason's she was retired, and it did give us the chance to enjoy 614 for a nice long time. But sincerely, 2101 doesn't seem like agreat candidate for stuff and mount status.
Her real role in history has been as a tough coal hauler for the Reading. Painting her as AFT or CSX is a bit like embalming Dad and planting him in a tuxedo. It might look good for the moment, but unless Dad was Sinatra, it does a disservice to his memory.

While 2101 is a large object I do not know how you are going to handle two completely different front end treatments. On the freedom Train the headlight was still in the original Reading location but it was centered for the Chessie Steam Special. The paint colors were completely different. AFT was black and the Chessie looked to be sombody's front porch paint gray. Then there is the sign board saying American Feedom Train on one and Chessie Steam Special on the other. The two front ends are nothing alike.

While the Chessie Steam Special was fun and gave me the chance to see and work on a big steam locomitve the paint scheme on the T-1 was, in my opinion, horrible. I understand why the engine was painted that way but the gray paint on the smokebox just looked cheap. While I am not a fan of the AFT paint and generally do not like to see altered locomotives or paint schemes the great seal painted by Bob Lorenz was a thing of beauty.

There is also one other reason to paint the 2101 AFT. If I remember correctly the B&O Museum was named the official museum of the American Freedom Train before the foundation was disolved. Why not have an AFT engine in the collection?

As I have said before, as long as she no longer looks like a rolling junk yard I really do not care how the 2101 is painted. I would greatly prefer to see her painted as a pure Reading locomotive but if they are spending the money to paint her I really don't care what they do. Anything is going to be an improvement.

John Bohon

I'm very grateful that the museum is getting around to painting this significant piece and am confident she'll look resplendant in whichever of her active duty schemes they decide to dress her in.
The primary reason I decided to donate her to the B&O Museum was to allow us to swap her for the 614. My mechanical people along with the senior mechanical officers from the Chessie System agreed after inspecting her outside the completely burned down roundhouse in Stevens Ky., that the unseen damage she incurred due to the intense heat of the fire and the burning of her on board coal supply within her tender was such that her structural integrity would always be suspect and not worth the risk. Unfortunatly this analysis is still valid.
I guess if I had to decide I'd vote for the AFT scheme as it was in this dress that she entertained by far the most folks! I'm confident that Bob Lorenz would come to Baltimore to again do his great job on the Great Seal of the United States on the tender.
Ross Rowland

We tend to forget that the history of an object, in this case steam locomotive Reading 2101, does not end with retirement from regular service. The service of 2101 on the American Freedom Train, working as a Chessie locomotive or displayed in a museum are all part of the history. And all authentic.

In my opinion the museum has made a good decision to repaint the 2101 as American Freedom Train Number 1. As somebody stated, it probably was seen by more people as an American Freedom Train locomotive than while in any other service.

Two sided paint? Forget it. It usually works for freight cars and some passenger cars but it wouldn't work for this steam locomotive.

Richard,

If I may pick a nit, the T-1's weren't really about coal hauling. They were fast freight engines working the Reading's merchandise business, which was predominantly from Harrisburg and Reading to Allentown or Philly and Jersey City. They certianly did get their share of coal service, but it was not what they were about.

Anyway, I canot get bent out of shape about repainting her as AFT #1. First of all, the AFT was a landmark in railroading and deserves the honor. Secondly, she is still "detailed" in her second-year AFT look, so the paint matches the machine.

And lastly, we can only hope that paint (any paint) and proper care come her way in Baltimore. And that someday, someway, she will become enthroned inside as Reading #2101 in the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania or at the Reading Tech's furture museum in Hamburg.

Actually, if I could get any one wish for a T-Hog, it would be that one get put on display inside.

I know Steamtown has other priorities, but it sure seems #2124 is a good candidate for the Roundhouse... unless she won't fit.

Good night gents!

Rob

I learned today from an official communications from the B&O Museum's Ed Williams that, and I quote, "The T1 is under consideration for a painting; no firm decision has been made. There are many issues to consider before moving forward with it as a project."

I had inquired about it for a possible news photo for Trains Magazine, along with other stuff supposedly happening at the Museum.

Oh, well.......... you Reading or AFT fans can start passing the hat to make it happen faster, I'm sure..........

On a not-really-related note, I had to post this somewhere.
I watched the DVD of "Dukes of Hazard" the other night and at the very end, I thought the T-shirt that Johhny Knoxville (Luke Duke) was wearing under Boss Hogg's coat looked familiar. They showed it better in the next scene, and darn if he's not wearing a Chessie Steam Special T-shirt!
Wonder where they found that at after all these years?