Bachmann HO Scale 4-8-4 GS-4 Locomotive - American Freedom Train #4449

Bachmann Trains HO Scale 4-8-4 Locomotive - 1976 American Freedom Train -Gs4 #4449

Product Features

DCC equipped for speed, direction and lighting
Dual mode NMRA decoder with 8-pin plug
Die-cast chassis and drive wheels
Can motor

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The GS4 was a streamlined 4-8-4 Northern type steam locomotive built by the Lima Locomotive Works. The GS4 served on the Southern Pacific Railroad from 1941 to 1958. From August 1975 until December 1976 Southern Pacific GS4 4449 was painted in a patriotic red, white and blue scheme and along with several other steam locomotives pulled the American Freedom Train celebrating the American Bicentennial.
E-Z Mate Mark II couplers

Product Description

This 1976 American Freedom 4-8-4 GS4 Steam Locomotive (#4449) is a / DCC-Equipped HO Scale Model by Bachmann®. / Suitable for Ages 8 & Older. / / FEATURES: Equipped with DCC On Board® technology, which allows you to / digitally control the direction, speed, and lighting of this / locomotive using Bachmann's E-Z Command® Digital Command Control / System (BACU4402), or any NMRA-compliant DCC system / Equipped with a 28-speed step decoder / Operating headlight and backup light / Die cast chassis / Can motor / Metal side rods and wheels / E-Z Mate® Mark II couplers with metal coil springs / Wire railings and coupler cut levers / For use with all NMRA/NEM - compliant DCC systems / / INCLUDES: One 4-8-4 GS4 1976 American Freedom Locomotive & Tender / / SPECS: Scale: HO 1/87 / Overall Size - / Length: 15-5/8"" (398mm) / Width: 1-1/2"" (38mm) / Height: 2-1/2"" (64mm) / / tlw 12/5/07 / ir/jxs

The United States has seen two Freedom Trains. The 1947-49 Freedom Train was a special exhibit train that toured the United States in the later half of the 1940s. A similar train called the American Freedom Train toured the country for the United States Bicentennial celebration in 1975-76. Both trains were painted in special red, white and blue paint schemes, and both toured the 48 contiguous states with displays of Americana and related historical artifacts. The two trains took different routes around the 48 states, but they both stopped for public displays in each of them.

A second Freedom Train, The American Freedom Train, toured the country in 1975–1976 to commemorate the United States Bicentennial. This 26-car train was powered by three newly restored steam locomotives. The first to pull the train was former Reading Company 4-8-4 #2101. The second was former Southern Pacific 4449, a large 4-8-4 steam locomotive that is still operating in special excursion service today. The third was former Texas & Pacific 2-10-4 #610, which pulled the train in Texas.

Within the train's 10 display cars were over 500 precious treasures of Americana. Included in these diverse artifacts were George Washington's copy of the Constitution, the original Louisiana Purchase, Judy Garland's dress from The Wizard of Oz, Joe Frazier's boxing trunks, Martin Luther King's pulpit and robes, and even a rock from the moon.

Over a 21 month period from April 1, 1975 to December 31, 1976 more than 7 million Americans visited the train during its tour of all 48 contiguous states. Millions more stood trackside to see it go by.

The train's tour began April 1, 1975 in Wilmington, Delaware. The train then traveled northeast to New England, west through Pennsylvania, Ohio to Michigan, then around Lake Michigan to Illinois and Wisconsin. From the Midwest, the tour continued westward, zigzagging across the plains to Utah and then up to the Pacific Northwest. From Seattle, Washington, the tour then traveled south along the Pacific coast to southern California. The train and crew spent Christmas 1975 in Pomona, California, decorating the locomotive with a large profile of Santa Claus on the front of the smokebox above the front coupler. For 1976, the tour continued from southern California eastward through Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, then turned north to visit Kansas and Missouri before traveling through the Gulf Coast states and then north again to Pennsylvania. The tour continued southeast to New Jersey then south along the Atlantic coast before finally ending December 26, 1976 in Miami, Florida. The last visitor went through the train December 31, 1976.

See Also: Bachmann HO Scale 4-8-4 GS-4 Locomotive - Southern Pacific (War Baby) / MTH HO Scale 4-8-4 GS-6 Locomotive - Western Pacific