A good friend of mine decided to start a fundraiser for a project regarding steam locomotives in the U.S. that she believes in, and, honestly, I think it is a really good idea. With her OK, I’m posting both the links to her video (where she explains everything as only she can) and donation page, as well as a synopsis of what her project entails (with a little of my opinion thrown in).
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUAtQsOmG78
Donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/wings-like-eagles
Attachment:
File comment: Wings Like Eagles
Wings Like Eagles project.jpg [ 137.1 KiB | Viewed 3811 times ]
Wings Like Eagles project.jpg [ 137.1 KiB | Viewed 3811 times ]
During the run of the American Freedom Train from 1975-1976, one of the 3 steam locomotives to pull the train was the Reading T-1 class 4-8-4 #2101. While she was decked out in red, white, & blue paint like the other steam locomotives who were lucky enough to pull the AFT, she, unlike the others, carried a golden eagle on top of her headlight. Since we just lost the late, great Ross Rowland (who played a huge factor in the AFT), the image of the eagle with #2101 (AFT #1) continued to resonate with Sara, along with Ross’ statement “Give’em a show”. With the 250th anniversary of our country being next year, and with the uncertainty of if we will get another AFT for this anniversary, Sara believes that eagles (like the one that #2101 wore for the AFT) should be distributed to tourist lines across the U.S. Along with the potential for steam tourist lines/museums to have their own American Freedom Trains, Sara believes that this can also remind everybody what our country has, does, and should always stand for: “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”.
Attachment:
File comment: Reading #2101 (AFT #1)
Reading 4-8-4 (21).jpg [ 215.46 KiB | Viewed 3811 times ]
Reading 4-8-4 (21).jpg [ 215.46 KiB | Viewed 3811 times ]
Personal opinion: I love the idea that Sara came up with. In a country as wonderful as ours that can still, at times, be its own contradiction (Pride in ol’ glory VS burn the flag, unity VS separation, etc.), I feel this would be a wonderful project to help us come together. We, as a country, have proven that we can come together in time of need (such as the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941 & our participation in WWII, as well as September 11th, 2001), and I believe that we can come together as a country, and as people, without needing a horrible catalyst to start it. If we could send an eagle to steam tourist lines/museums/steam locomotive restoration organizations in the U.S. before July 4th, 2026, we could have an eagle flying on the headlight of steam locomotives running (and returning to operation) and help us all come together to celebrate this amazing country we call home (“the land of the free and the home of the brave”). [Side note: Who doesn’t think it would look amazing to have an eagle flying over the headlight of locomotives like Big Boy, #844, #3751, #2100, #1309, #1003, #148, #700, #614, as well the narrow gauge steamers and those in the process of returning to operation?]
There are multiple steam tourist lines/museums/organizations restoring steam locomotives across the U.S., and these eagles aren’t cheap. At ~$150-$200 per eagle, that will add up quick. Please feel free to donate to this wonderful cause, comment about your thoughts about this project, and share the links to this project. Let’s see if we can raise the funds to spread some American pride to all of our steam tourist lines/museums/organizations restoring steam locomotives, have us all come together as a country, and “Give’em a show”.