American Freedom Train No. 250 Completes Successful Steam Tests
Nick Stewart | April 7, 2025
CLEVELAND — The American Steam Railroad Preservation Association (ASR), a 501c3 non-profit organization, has completed successful steam tests on Reading Company T-1 steam locomotive No. 2100, debuting as American Freedom Train No. 250. The steam tests are the latest milestone in ASR’s decade-long campaign to restore the locomotive to operating condition.
The tests took place on April 3 and 4, 2025, and with contractors on hand, the boiler, piping and water delivery systems were tested successfully. ASR President and Restoration Crew Volunteer Rob Gardner states that these tests are a phenomenal milestone for the project.
“After nearly ten years of dedicated volunteer and professional labor totaling more than $1.6 million dollars and countless unexpected obstacles, we've done it,” Gardner said. “Ten years ago, none of us expected that it would take this long to get here, but we have stayed the course the entire way, being sure that no corners were cut and every detail addressed appropriately.”
Last month, the organization was able to close a $4,500 funding gap in a matter of a few weeks to be able to fire up in early April. The funding for these first steam tests went towards both labor and several components to perform the tests, which included but were not limited to 2,000 gallons of recycled oil from a Cleveland-based vendor, tender-to-locomotive water connections, and professional steam contractors to perform the testing.
ASR has most recently been working on the process of converting the locomotive from coal to oil firing, with the firepan and burner professionally engineered and built for the greatest power, performance, efficiency and operational sustainability. The next step in the process is to either modify or replace the blast nozzle and petticoat based on engineering performed by FMW Solutions.
Forrest Nace, ASR Treasurer and Restoration Crew Volunteer says that with the completion of two test fire-ups, ASR has now conducted one of the most expensive and challenging tasks to get the locomotive ready for operation.
“To achieve this has had such a positive impact on our dedicated volunteers, now seeing the AFT 250 / 2100 breathe life again,” Nace said, “and proves to our donors that they can give with confidence that their generosity is going to a restoration done with some of the best and most experienced professional contractors and steam railroaders in the industry with regard to oil fired steam locomotives, and seeing tangible results within announced estimated timelines.”
He added that these first test fires were not only successful and symbolic, but also marked a turning point in the restoration process.
“The other benefit of achieving this historic fire-up milestone is that now we can begin to focus more on the running gear, final assembly, and painting,” Nace continued. “Our projected costs for completing the AFT 250 / 2100 is $139,050.00, and if all is raised within the next 6 months we should be able to do break-in test runs before the end of this year.”
A members-only open house was scheduled for April 5, but was canceled due to severe thunderstorms in the area. Another fire-up for ASR members is to be scheduled in the near future.
In 2005, a group of engineers, businessmen, and railroaders came together to start the American Steam Railroad Preservation Association. In 2015, 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. Upon its debut, Reading No. 2100 will be adorned in the striking red, white and blue colors of the American Freedom Train and renumbered to No. 250.
Tax-deductible donations towards the restoration of AFT No. 250 / Reading No. 2100 can be mailed to American Steam Railroad Preservation Association, 2800 W. 3rd St, Cleveland, OH 44113, or made online at www.americansteamrailroad.org/donate.
