Mission

In 2005, a group of engineers, businessmen, and railroaders came together to start the American Steam Railroad Preservation Association.

By being one of the leaders in our industry, American Steam Railroad will ensure steam locomotives and historic railway equipment will operate and be preserved for future generations.

Since 2015, generous donors and our all-volunteer staff have given, raised or provided in labor value over $1.8 million towards our restoration projects.

Board Of Directors

Rob Gardner | President

Rob has served ASR in many different roles since joining shortly after its founding. As the 2100 was prepared for movement in 2015, Rob took on the preparation and submission of high-and-wide permit applications to Norfolk Southern and BNSF, and had long held the position of Vice President before becoming President in 2020. From a childhood filled with memorable steam railroading experiences, Rob desired to work in the railroad industry upon graduating from the University of Cincinnati in 1995 with a degree in Civil Engineering. He has gained a majority of his 30 years of experience in the industry as a private rail contractor, tasked with designing, inspecting, building and rebuilding railroad track for various clients in 20 different states. Aside from full-scale railroading, Rob is also a passionate live steam hobbyist, and enjoys playing trombone, guitar, bass guitar and drums, and preparing gluten-free baking mixes with his wife.

Russ Swinnerton | Vice President

Russ joined ASR in 2010 and previously filled the position of Secretary before becoming Vice President. Through his involvement in Luxury Rail Travel, Russ was instrumental in organizing the Steel City Limited, a series of ASR fundraising excursions that ran from New York to Pittsburgh, utilizing private ex-Pennsylvania Railroad passenger cars on Amtrak. He started Luxury Rail Travel in the early 2010s and oversaw several similar trips. After changes to Amtrak’s private car policy, Russ turned his focus to building backyard railroad equipment through Reading Car Company, which he and his wife Heather founded in 2018. He also keeps busy with his day job as a truck driver. Prior to his involvement in ASR, Russ served as President of the Conrail Historical Society for three years, has been a member of the Rockhill Trolley Museum since the 1980s, and maintains memberships in many live steam clubs.

Brian Miller | Secretary

As a member since 2019 and Secretary since 2021, Brian performs ASR’s record-keeping duties, oversees board procedures and manages internal communications. Professionally, Brian has gained nearly 30 years of experience as a software development manager, graduating from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown in 1995 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science. As part of his strong history of volunteerism, Brian served the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania for 12 years as Winter Games Computer Chairman, meeting the various computer-related needs of the statewide program. Since 2007, he has also been a leader in his local troop of the Boy Scouts of America and a counselor for scouts who wish to earn their Railroading Merit badge. Brian is a third-generation railroad fan and model railroader, passions which he has passed to his son, and also enjoys hobbies like camping and antique tractor restoration.

Forrest Nace | Treasurer

Forrest joined ASR’s membership in 2015 and has been Treasurer since 2017, managing and overseeing all financial aspects of the organization. Alongside this position, he has served on the Social Media Committee since 2023, edited ASR’s members-only newsletter “The Rambler” since 2021, managed fundraising events, membership drives and merchandise, and previously wrote, directed and edited the monthly video updates and managed the website and social media. He graduated with honors from Butler County Community College in 1985 with an Associate’s Degree in Data Processing and Computer Programming, before working in Woodings Industrial Corporation’s IT Directory. Since 1995, Forrest has been a contracted account executive and manager, providing computer system and data management services to a variety of clients. In addition to his volunteering with ASR, Forrest is a volunteer trainer for Job’s Daughters International, a youth leadership organization.

Group Leaders

Gordon Hartschuh | Crew Chief

Gordon was introduced to ASR in the early 2010s and began putting in time on Frisco steam locomotive No. 1352 in Taylorville, Ill.. He has held the position of Crew Chief since the launch of the 2100 restoration project, where he is tasked with overseeing our volunteer crew and the restoration activities they accomplish every week, ensuring our work sessions are as safe, productive and organized as possible. Before leading ASR’s crew, Gordon spent 26 years leading the crew of the Bath Township Fire Department near Akron, Ohio, as part of a three-decade career in firefighting. Since retirement, Gordon has also volunteered for the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, where he currently serves as a conductor and locomotive engineer. In his free time, Gordon enjoys model railroading in the steam-to-diesel transition era and is also a passionate fisherman.

Greg Brown | Director of Philanthropic Relations

Since becoming a member of ASR in late 2015, Greg and fellow volunteer Tom Gross spearheaded the ultrasound thickness testing of the 2100’s boiler and firebox, totaling tens of thousands of readings. His position as Director of Philanthropic Relations sees him meeting and corresponding with those who take a philanthropic interest in American Steam Railroad and its projects, such as foundations, government officials, business leaders and private donors. A Reading, Pa., native, Greg was raised in a family of railroad fans on a steady diet of the Reading Company, including formative memories of the Iron Horse Rambles which featured the 2100 in operation. He is a 1976 graduate of Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation Management, and he was a pilot for Capitol Air from 1980 to 1984 and American Airlines from then to 2013. Happily retired, he resides in Chardon, Ohio, with his wife of over 40 years.

Nick Martin | Social Media Committee Chairperson

An ASR member and volunteer since 2019, Nick became Video & Media Assistant in 2021 and took on the roles of writer, director and editor for the monthly video updates in 2022. In 2023, he helped establish the Social Media Committee to administer and strategize ASR’s digital marketing. He was named by Trains Magazine as a Young Gun in Railroad Preservation for his contributions to ASR. Outside of ASR, Nick independently produces documentary-style short films on rail-related subjects, which has led him to collaborate with organizations such as the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, the East Broad Top Railroad, the Steam Railroading Institute, the Pennsylvania Railroad T1 Trust and the Strasburg Rail Road. He previously served the Midwest Railway Preservation Society from 2021 to 2023 on the Steam Locomotive 4070 Committee. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Film & Media from Cleveland State University.

In 2014, ASR surprised the railroad preservation industry by signing a multi-year lease for Reading Company steam locomotive No. 2100 and completing a 2,200-mile railroad move to Cleveland, Ohio. The historic locomotive is now undergoing a restoration to operating condition where upon completion, it will debut in striking red, white and blue colors as American Freedom Train No. 250.

Originating from 2-8-0 No. 2045, No. 2100 was the first in a series of 30 engines made into 4-8-4s to assist with the World War II traffic boost at the Reading Company. Outshopped from the railroad’s own facilities in their namesake Pennsylvania city on September 11, 1945, the class led a relatively short career in freight due to dieselization, with all retired by 1957. The 2100 and three sibling engines were saved for use on the Iron Horse Rambles, one of the earliest steam passenger excursion programs in the U.S., starting in 1959. After the end of these trips in 1964, the 2100 spent the next two decades in storage, serving the original American Freedom Train and other excursions as a source of spare parts between 1975 and 1979. In 1986, it was purchased by Lionel Trains CEO Richard Kughn, and through his 2100 Corporation, it received a $1 million rebuild and returned to operation in 1989. When operating plans fell through, it was donated to the Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority in 1991 for planned Cleveland-area operations, but was stored until 1998 in Brewster, Ohio, and Coshocton, Ohio. It was then auctioned to Canadian railroader Thomas Payne, who moved it to St. Thomas, Ont., for planned Canadian operations. When these failed to materialize, it was moved to Tacoma, Wash., and operated excursions for two seasons there. By 2008, it was stored on a siding in Richland, Wash., where ASR began its involvement in the locomotive in 2014. $1.8 million in donations and volunteer labor value has been invested since then.

Reading No. 2100

New York Central baggage car No. 9110 awaits an early spring work session at the Mad River & Nickel Plate Railroad Museum.

NYC No. 9110

In 2016, ASR purchased New York Central baggage car No. 9110 from the Mad River & Nickel Plate Railroad Museum, to be converted into a tool and crew car.

No. 9110 came to the New York Central in 1946 from the American Car & Foundry Company. This series, originally consisting of 100 cars, came equipped with large double doors on one end for the loading of large cargo, most famously including Broadway set pieces. Surviving in service through the Penn Central Railroad and Amtrak, the car has resided since 2003 at MR&NKP in Bellevue, Ohio, where it is now receiving work to return it to service behind American Freedom Train No. 250.

American Freedom Train No. 250

Introducing

For the 1976 Bicentennial of the founding of the United States of America, there was only one nationwide celebration: The American Freedom Train. For more than 7 million ticket buyers and countless more observers, there was plenty worth boasting — a route through 138 display cities in all 48 contiguous states, three different leading steam locomotives, 26 star-spangled passenger cars, and 512 original American artifacts on board. Entrusted with these highest duties in the eastern U.S. was none other than a Reading T-1 locomotive, No. 2101.

As we approach 2026, America’s 250th anniversary, American Steam Railroad feels now to be the time for a piece of the American Freedom Train to return.

Upon its debut, Reading No. 2100 will be adorned in the striking red, white and blue colors of the original American Freedom Train and renumbered to No. 250. In doing so, we aim to bring a historic railroad artifact to the communities we serve, be a symbol of patriotism that Americans can take pride in, and honor our veterans and those who currently serve, ensuring our freedoms every day.

Robert Kaplan photo, altered with permission.

Contractor Jason Johnson tack welds one of the 548 new staybolts to the 2100's inner firebox sheet.

  • Anyone can become a member of American Steam Railroad. To volunteer on the restoration crew, one must be in good physical health and at least age 16. Those under age 18 are required to provide a written and signed permission letter from a parent or legal guardian.

  • Any restoration crew member that passes a DOT physical may apply to be part of the train crew. The train crew requires being an active participant of the restoration crew and attending our brakeman and conductor classes, or certified previous railroad train crew experience. Restoration and train crew members are selected and assigned at the sole discretion of American Steam Railroad.

  • Future running gear work includes driving axle alignment, rod straightening, rod brass machining and replacement, and possible roller bearing work. The tender needs the old cistern coating removed and a new one applied, as well as the oil bunker permanently reinstalled. Additionally, the backhead needs re-plumbed and the boiler needs insulated and jacketed. Lastly, a complete paint job then needs applied.

  • ASR has reviewed operating opportunities and costs, especially at sites where proper coal storage and ash abatement are not permanently established. While the fuel will be changing, ASR is committed to properly storing the unused coal components. ASR has selected FMW Solutions as the contractor to engineer No. 250 with a proper recycled oil firing system. Please see the News page for the full press release regarding this change.

  • As of mid-2024, seven hosts from four different states have issued letters of intent for operations, and ASR is currently in contract negotiations with two of those hosts.

  • The locomotive will debut in the striking red, white and blue of the American Freedom Train and renumbered to No. 250 in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. In the future it will wear Reading Company paint and possibly other schemes.

  • While we would welcome any viable opportunity to do so, there is currently no nationally-coordinated American Freedom Train. No. 250 is expected to operate in American Freedom Train colors and visit host railroads for excursion and exhibition service.

  • Should an opportunity arise that is logistically and financially viable, ASR will do everything possible to make a meeting with the 2102 happen.

  • One of our members generously donated $2,700 for a new, all-brass Reading 6 Chime passenger whistle, similar to what the locomotive wore during its years in operation on the Iron Horse Rambles. Rizzoli Locomotive Works had original Reading castings to make the exact replica. The locomotive will be equipped to allow for guest whistles from time to time.

  • ASR is leasing stall No. 2 in the historic B&O roundhouse at the Midwest Railway Preservation Society, located at 2800 W. 3rd Street in Cleveland, Ohio.

  • The locomotive is owned by an individual businessman who has chosen to remain anonymous.

  • The locomotive has roller bearings on the pilot, trailing, and tender trucks, with plain bearings on the driving axles. A roller bearing conversion on the driving axles would be prohibitively expensive.

  • Because Positive Train Control is not required where American Freedom Train No. 250 will publicly operate, American Steam Railroad does not plan to debut the locomotive with PTC technology. Our movements over Class I railroads will utilize a PTC-equipped diesel leader. However, we are open to the future implementation of PTC should we receive funding or operating contracts that would lead to its use.

  • Yes. When the 2101’s roundhouse fire occurred, the coal in the tender caught fire and warped the sides, and it was decided to swap the 2101’s tender with the one from the 2100, as it was in better shape for display. When Lionel Trains’ Richard Kughn purchased the 2100 for restoration in the late 1980s, the 2101’s old tender was completely overhauled, including new sides installed.