Cleveland Railroad Open House To Celebrate Steam Locomotive No. 250’s 80th Birthday
Nick Stewart | August 29, 2025
CLEVELAND — The American Steam Railroad Preservation Association (ASR) will celebrate Cleveland’s rich railroad history and American Freedom Train steam locomotive No. 250’s 80th birthday with an open house on Saturday, October 11. Proceeds from the event, to be held at the Midwest Railway Preservation Society’s historic railroad roundhouse at 2800 W. 3rd Street, will benefit the campaign to restore locomotive No. 250 to operating condition in 2026.
“The dozens of railroads that once served Cleveland were largely responsible for making the city a land of opportunity, and that is a legacy we look forward to celebrating on October 11,” said Nick Martin, ASR’s Social Media Chairperson. “Guests of all ages and backgrounds will have a rare hands-on experience with the sights, sounds and smells of their colorful railroad heritage at this first-of-its-kind event, and their admission will also help fund bigger experiences for future generations when locomotive No. 250 steams back to life.”
The birthday celebration will feature a variety of highlights, including locomotive No. 250 on display, an operating steam traction engine, a steam whistle blow, a large O-scale modular railroad, a silent auction, tours of the historic B&O roundhouse, including another steam locomotive, merchandise sales and a night photo session hosted by railroad media group Dynamo Productions. The night photo session will provide professional smoke and lighting effects, and will be inspired by the original American Freedom Train from the 1976 Bicentennial.
"We at ASR are very excited to be hosting our very first open house to let all of our followers and supporters have an opportunity to see No. 250 up close and in person and to see and touch railroading history being made right here in Cleveland," said ASR President Rob Gardner.
Admission for the event starts at $15.00 per person, and children under 3 are free. Guests 16 and under must be accompanied by a ticketed adult. To register in advance, visit www.americansteamrailroad.org/visit-events.
In 2005, a group of engineers, businessmen, and railroaders came together to establish the American Steam Railroad Preservation Association, a 501c3 non-profit organization. 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 move to Cleveland, Ohio. It has become one of the most ambitious steam locomotive restorations in the United States, with over 23,000 volunteer hours committed, and most recently, a successful steam test in April 2025. Upon its debut, locomotive 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.
