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 $2.1 million towards our restoration projects.
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.
With 2026 marking 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.
AMERICAN FREEDOM TRAIN No. 250
Board Of Directors
Rob Gardner | President
Rob has filled many different roles since joining ASR shortly after its founding. As No. 250 was prepared for movement across the U.S. in 2015, Rob prepared and submitted high-and-wide permit applications to Norfolk Southern and BNSF to ensure the locomotive’s safe passage. He had long held the position of Vice President before becoming President in 2020. Rob’s childhood love of steam locomotives drew him toward a career in railroading, and since graduating from the University of Cincinnati in 1995 with a degree in Civil Engineering, he has spent the majority of his 30 years in the industry as a railroad construction contractor, tasked with designing, inspecting, building and rebuilding railroad track for various clients across the United States. Aside from full-scale railroading, Rob is also a passionate live steam hobbyist, and he enjoys playing various musical instruments 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 first-class ASR fundraising excursions that ran with Amtrak from New York to Pittsburgh, utilizing private ex-Pennsylvania Railroad passenger cars. 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 with Reading Car Company, which he and his wife Heather founded in 2018. He also keeps busy with his day job as a truck driver. Russ previously served as President of the Conrail Historical Society, 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. Since 2007, he has been a leader in his local Boy Scouts of America troop and a counselor for scouts seeking to earn their Railroading Merit badge. He is also an active member of the Western Pennsylvania Model Railroad Museum. 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, overseeing all financial aspects of the organization. Alongside this position, he has assisted with media and marketing, administered print publications, coordinated fundraising events and membership drives, managed merchandise and shipping, and filled other roles at various points throughout his time with ASR. He graduated with honors from Butler County Community College in 1985 with an Associate’s Degree in Data Processing and Computer Programming and spent a decade 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 the organization’s first steam locomotive, Frisco No. 1352 in Taylorville, Ill.. He has held the position of Crew Chief since the launch of No. 250’s restoration, where he oversees our volunteer crew and the restoration activities they complete each 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 been a part of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, where he currently serves as a conductor and locomotive engineer. In his free time, Gordon enjoys model railroading, with a focus on 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 has had a hand in nearly every restoration project on No. 250, most notably spearheading the ultrasound thickness testing of the boiler and firebox. 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 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 No. 250 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 1984 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 established the Social Media Committee, and in 2025, he was instrumental in the concept, planning and success of No. 250’s 80th Birthday Open House. He was named by Trains Magazine as a Young Gun in Railroad Preservation for his contributions to ASR. Outside of ASR, Nick has collaborated with organizations such as the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, FMW Solutions, the T1 Trust, the Strasburg Rail Road, the East Broad Top Railroad, the Steam Railroading Institute and others in various marketing, multimedia and event-planning work. He previously served the Midwest Railway Preservation Society from 2021 to 2023 on the Steam Locomotive 4070 Committee. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts 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, and will debut in striking red, white and blue colors as American Freedom Train No. 250.
Originally built in 1925 as 2-8-0 No. 2045, No. 2100 was the first of 30 engines rebuilt into 4-8-4s to assist the post-World War II traffic boost at the Reading Company. Outshopped from the railroad’s own facilities in Reading, Pa., on September 11, 1945, No. 2100 and its class had a relatively short career in freight due to dieselization, with all retired by 1957.
No. 2100 and three sibling engines were ultimately saved for use on the Iron Horse Rambles starting in 1959, one of the earliest steam passenger excursion programs in the U.S.. After these trips ended in 1964, No. 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 $1.2 million rebuild (equivalent to approximately $3.2 million in 2026) 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 remained stored at different locations in Ohio until 1998.
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 for two seasons of sightseeing excursions. In 2008, it was placed in outdoor storage in Richland, Wash., where ASR began its involvement in the locomotive in 2014.
$2.1 million in donations and volunteer labor value has been invested since 2015.
Reading No. 2100
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.
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Anyone can become a member of American Steam Railroad. To volunteer on the restoration crew, one must be in good physical health, at least age 16 and complete onsite orientation and safety training. Those under age 18 are required to provide a written and signed permission letter from a parent or legal guardian. Contact us to inquire about volunteering.
Restoration Crew members serve at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may deny a member being assigned to the Restoration Crew, or may limit, suspend, or terminate a Restoration Crew member's active status.
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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. Any restoration crew member that passes a DOT physical may apply.
Restoration and train crew members serve at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may deny a member being assigned to the restoration or train crew, or may limit, suspend, or terminate a crew member's active status.
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Future running gear work includes rod brass machining and replacement, rod straightening, driving axle alignment or “tramming”, and possible roller bearing work. Additionally, the tender needs the old cistern coating removed and a new one applied, plumbing and electronics need to be completed, the boiler needs insulated and jacketed, and a paint job then needs applied.
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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 full press release regarding this change here.
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As of mid-2024, seven hosts from four different states have issued letters of intent for operations, and ASR is in contract negotiations with two of those hosts.
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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 return to Reading Company paint and possibly other schemes based on sponsors or events.
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Should an opportunity arise that is logistically and financially viable, ASR will do everything possible to make a meeting with the 2102 happen.
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One of our members generously donated $2,700 for a new, all-brass Reading 6 Chime passenger whistle from Rizzoli Locomotive Works, similar to what the locomotive wore during its years in operation on the Iron Horse Rambles. The locomotive will also be equipped to allow for guest whistles from time to time.
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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.
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The locomotive is owned by an individual businessman who has chosen to remain anonymous.
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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.
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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.
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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.
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
The American Steam Railroad Preservation Association does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, socioeconomic status, age, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, political beliefs or military service.
ASR’s activities, operations and interactions — including those with guests, supporters, vendors, volunteers and contractors — shall be conducted in an inclusive, respectful and welcoming manner.