AMERICAN FREEDOM TRAIN to WELCH BROTHERS RR SHOWS

UPDATED WITH OVER 35 NEW LINKS ADDED.
Like circus trains, carnival and show trains have been a part of the railroad scene for over a century, with many outfits traveling by rail with a great ontourage of animals, entertainers, equipment, scenery and workers.  Like the modern James E. Strates Shows, which did not start going by rail unti around 1933, and the Circus trains, these smaller Circus and Show trains sometimes would be upwards of 20 to 25 cars, bringing everything with them so that their shows could be performed. 

The listings on this page include Show Trains, smaller Circus and Show related operations, Display trains and Carnivals.  While there were a large contingent of cars that often accompanied the passenger cars of various shows only passenger cars are listed here, though, where possible, links to photo albums and websites that feature other car types have been included.  As can be seen with a lot of the listings the history of a number of cars for various operations are either unknown or incomplete, but I hope that if you can help to fill in any of the cars' past that you will email me using the link below. 

I cannot promise you that all links will remain working since I have no control over this.  To email me about a "broken" link just CLICK HERE. 

AFT - American Freedom Train

Listings include cars used for the original 1947 Freedom Train as well as the 1976 "American Freedom Train" which was operated in conjunction with America's Bi-Centennial, as well as the Preamble Express which preceeded the AFT.

America's Freedom Trains - The America's Freedom Trains website is dedicated to remembering both the 1947 Freedom Train as well as the 1976 American Freedom Train.  This site features extensive information and coverage about the train, its locomotives and cars, with a large number of photos that can be viewed (passenger car photos listed below).& A must see for any Freedom Train fan!!!

FT (Pullman) Central Plains - HW Plan 3959 3 Comp - 2 DR - lounge observation. (OTTO PERRY COLLECTION)

FT Central Plains - (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

FT Central Plains - (ABPR)

FT (Pullman) Glen Fee - HW 6 Comp - 3 DR sleeper car. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

FT (Pullman) Penn Square - HW 6 Comp - 3 DR sleeper car. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

FT (PRR) 3465 - HW P70 coach converted to display car. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

FT (PRR) 3489 - HW P70 coach converted to display car. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

FT (PRR) 3610 - HW P70 coach converted to display car. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

Preamble Express 1 - (ex-L&C 11 Innovator, exx-Permacel Express P1 Innovator, nee-RDG 592) HW baggage - pie car rblt. from baggage - coach. (S. JACKOWSKI)

Preamble Express 2 - (ex-L&C 12 Motivator, exx-Permacel Express P2 Motivator, nee-RDG 1327) HW coach. (S. JACKOWSKI)

Preamble Express 3 - (ex-L&C 13 Stimulator, nee-RDG 1332) HW coach. (S. JACKOWSKI)

Preamble Express 4 - (ex-L&C 14 Educator, exx-Permacel Express P3 Educator, nee-RDG 1329) HW coach observation rblt. from coach. (S. JACKOWSKI)

AFT 20 - (ex-NYC 9133) LW concessions storage - laundry rblt. from baggage - express. (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

AFT 20 - (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

AFT (SOU) 33 - (ex-SOU 545) HW baggage - express car. (ABPR)

AFT (SOU) 33 - (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

AFT 33 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

AFT 40 - (ex-NYC 9137) LW glass display car rblt. from baggage - express. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

AFT 40 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

AFT 41 - (ex-NYC 9152) LW glass display car rblt. from baggage - express. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

AFT 41 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

AFT/PNWC 76 - (ex-SP&S 76) HW baggage - dorm. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

AFT/PNWC 76 Splendid Spirit - (ABPR)

AFT/PNWC 76 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

AFT 100 - (ex-NYC 9163) LW entrance/control car rblt. from baggage - express. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

AFT 100 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

AFT 101 Beginnings - (ex-NYC 9128) LW display car rblt. from baggage - express. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

AFT 101 Beginnings - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

AFT 102 Exploration and Expansion - (ex-NYC 9158) LW display car rblt. from baggage - express. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

AFT 102 Exploration and Expansion - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

AFT 103 Growth of a Nation - (ex-NYC 9178) LW display car rblt. from baggage - express. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

AFT 103 Growth of a Nation - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

AFT 104 Origins - (ex-NYC 9115) LW display car rblt. from baggage - express. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

AFT 104 Origins - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

AFT 105 Innovations - (ex-NYC 9135) LW display car rblt. from baggage - express. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

AFT 105 Innovations - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

AFT 106 Human Resources - (ex-NYC 9156) LW display car rblt. from baggage - express. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

AFT 106 Human Resources - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

AFT 107 Sports - (ex-NYC 9138) LW display car rblt. from baggage - express. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

AFT 107 Sports - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

AFT 108 Performing Arts - (ex-NYC 9139) LW display car rblt. from baggage - express. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

AFT 108 Performing Arts - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

AFT 109 Fine Arts - (ex-NYC 9165) LW display car rblt. from baggage - express. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

AFT 109 Fine Arts - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

AFT 110 Conflict and Resolution - (ex-NYC 9104) LW display car rblt. from baggage - express. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

AFT 110 Conflict and Resolution - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

AFT 111 - (ex-NYC) LW exit car rblt. from baggage - express. (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

AFT 111 - (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

AFT 200 Splendid Spirit - This was High Iron Co.'s Brothers Two (ex-PC 7, nee-NYC) HW private car. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

AFT 200 Splendid Spirit - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

AFT 200 - (ex-NYC) LW power car rblt. from baggage - express. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

AFT 200 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

AFT 201 - (ex-SP 9111, nee-211 Golden River) LW 4 Comp - 4 DBR - 2 DR. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

AFT 201 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

AFT 201 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

AFT 202 - (ex-Preamble Express 4, exx-L&C Springmaid Special 1 Innovator, exxxx-Permacel Express 1, nee-RDG 592) HW "pie car" rblt. from baggage - coach. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

AFT 202 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

AFT 203 - (ex-Preamble Express 2, exx-L&C Springmaid Special 2 Motivator, exxxx-Permacel Express 1, nee-RDG 1327) HW bar car rblt. from coach. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

AFT 203 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

AFT 204 - (ex-Preamble Express 3, exx-L&C Springmaid Special 3 Stimulator, exxx-Permacel Express 1, nee-RDG 1332) HW parlor car rblt. from coach. (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

AFT 204 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

AFT 205 - (ex-Preamble Express 4, exx-L&C Springmaid Special 4 Educator, exxx-Permacel Express 1, nee-RDG 1329) HW Press car observation, rblt. from coach. (C. ISAAC)

AFT 205 - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

AFT 205 - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

AFT 205 - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

AFT 205 - (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

AFT 205 - (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

AFT 205 - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

AFT 205 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

AFT 448 - (ex-NYC 448) Budd dining car.  This car later became Conrail 47004, the line's Operation Lifesaver car. (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

AFT 448 - (AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRAIN)

Al G. Barnes and Sells Floto Combined Circus

Al G. Barnes 3 - HW Advertising car. (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

Al G. Barnes 3 - (D.C. CRADIO)

Al G. Barnes and Sells Floto 3 - (FRANK)

ARTX - Artrain

This train has been discontinued and the display cars sold to Mid-America Railcar Leasing.  The observation car, ARTX 105, however apparently is not included in the sale with the other equipment.  Three of the cars showned up on Disney's The Christmas Carol train last year but their current status is unknown.

ARTX 1 - (ex-B&O 3703) Mod. HW coach rblt. to display car. (R. UNDERWOOD)

ARTX 1 - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

ARTX 1 - (N.L. PITSCH)

ARTX 1 - (S. JACKOWSKY)

ARTX 1 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

ARTX 2 - (ex-B&O) Mod. HW coach rblt. to display car.  (History???) (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

ARTX 2 - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

ARTX 2 - (N.L. PITSCH)

ARTX 2 - (NORTH EAST RAILS)

ARTX 2 - (S. JACKOWSKY)

ARTX 2 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

ARTX 3 - Mod. HW display car rblt. from coach.  (History???) (S. JACKOWSKY)

ARTX 4 - HW display car rblt. from baggage - express.  (History???) (S. JACKOWSKY)

ARTX 4 - (ex-ATSF) ACF corrugated generator car rblt. from baggage - express. (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

ARTX 5 - (ex-DT&I, nee-AA) streamlined cupola caboose. (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

ARTX 5 - (nee-USAX) HW power car rblt. from hospital ward car.  (History???) (S. JACKOWSKY)

ARTX 5 - grounded. (D. ROSS)

ARTX HW cars - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

ARTX HW cars - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

ARTX LW display car - rblt. from leg-rest coach. (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

ARTX 101 - (ex-AMTK 2836, exx-PC 4276, nee-NYC 10136) Budd 10 Rmt - 6 DBR sleeper. (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

ARTX 101 - (BULLET BOB 53)

ARTX 101 - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

ARTX 101 - (RAILCAR PHOTOS)

ARTX 101 - (N.L. PITSCH)

ARTX 101 - (RAILROAD FORUMS)

ARTX 101 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

ARTX 101 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

ARTX 102 - (ex-AMTK 8805, exx-PC 4621, nee-PRR 4621) Budd twin - unit diner kitchen - dorm car. (RAILRUNNER01)

ARTX 102 - (RR PICTURES)

ARTX 102 - (RR PICTURES)

ARTX 102 - (BULLET BOB 53)

ARTX 102 - (RAILCAR PHOTOS)

ARTX 102 - (RAILCAR PHOTOS)

ARTX 102 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

ARTX 102 - (RAIL PICTURES)

ARTX 102 - (RAIL PICTURES)

ARTX 102 - (N.L. PITSCH)

ARTX 103 - (ex-PC/PRR 4618) Budd twin - unit diner table car. (BULLET BOB 53)

ARTX 103 - (RR PICTURES)

ARTX 103 - (NORTH EAST RAILS)

ARTX 103 - (RAILCAR PHOTOS)

ARTX 103 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

ARTX 103 - (N.L. PITSCH)

ARTX 103 - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

ARTX 104 - (ex-X27279, nee-NYC 8978) Budd baggage - dorm. (NORTH EAST RAILS)

ARTX 104 - (BULLET BOB 53)

ARTX 104 - (R. TUFTS)

ARTX 104 - (RAILCAR PHOTOS)

ARTX 104 - (N.L. PITSCH)

ARTX 104 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

ARTX 105 - (ex-KCS 43, nee-NYC 48) Budd parlor - lounge observation. (ABPR)

ARTX 105 - (ex-KCS 43, ex-44, nee-NYC 48) Budd observation car. (RMADISONWI)

ARTX 105 - (E. LEATHERBERRY)

ARTX 105 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

ARTX 105 - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

ARTX 105 - (R. HICKS)

ARTX 105 - (R. HICKS)

ARTX 105 - (ABPR)

ARTX cars - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

ARTX cars - (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

Arthur T. Brown's Double M Ranch

MMRX 104 - HW baggage - mail.  (History???) (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

William Fredrick "Buffalo Bill" Cody's Wild West Show

Buffalo Bill's Cody - wood open-platform private car. (N. SALSBURY COLLECTION)

Buffalo Bill's #1 - wood open-platform advertising car. (N. SALSBURY COLLECTION)

Buffalo Bill's #1 - (N. SALSBURY COLLECTION)

Buffalo Bill's #2 - wood open-platform advertising car. (N. SALSBURY COLLECTION)

Buffalo Bill's #2 - (N. SALSBURY COLLECTION)

Buffalo Bill Wild West Show HW baggage - mail - (DIGITAL RAILWAY)

Buffalo Bill Wild West Show HW baggage - mail - (DIGITAL RAILWAY)

Canada Discovery Train

Canada Discovery Train page at Theme Trains. - This is a well thought out website dealing with all sorts of information on this interesting train.  As noted below, some of the cars were recycled from the American Freedom Train with all sorts of Canadian displays replacing those used in the U.S.  This is a great site to visit if a person wants to learn more about the train.

CDT 1 - (ex-AFT 100, nee-NYC 9163) LW enterance - security car rblt. from baggage - express. (THEME TRAINS)

CDT 6 - (ex-ATF 103, nee-NYC 9178) LW display car rblt. from baggage - express. (N.L. PITSCH)

CDT 11 - (ex-AFT 108, nee-NYC 9139) LW display car rblt. from baggage - express. (THEME TRAINS)

CDT 13 - (ex-AFT 110, nee-NYC 9104) LW display car rblt. from baggage - express. (THEME TRAINS)

CDT 14 - (ex-AFT 111, nee-NYC) LW exit - power car rblt. from baggage - express. (THEME TRAINS)

CDT 15 - (ex-AFT 200, nee-NYC) LW power car rblt. from baggage - express. (THEME TRAINS)

CDT 17 - (ex-CN 8126, nee-8836) LW baggage - express converted to storage car. (THEME TRAINS)

CDT 18 - (ex-CN 8035, nee-9074) LW baggage - express converted to storage car. (THEME TRAINS)

CDT 218 Alexandra - (nee-Ganadian Govenment Rwy.) HW end-platform passenger car rblt. from sleeper.  This car later renumbered 220. (THEME TRAINS)

CDT 219 - (ex-VIA, nee-CN) LW "Boutique" car rblt. from baggage - express. (THEME TRAINS)

CDT 220 Alexandra - HW end-platform passenger car rblt. from sleeper. (NOVA SCOTIA RAILWAY HERITAGE)

William "Bill" Boyd Hopalong Cassidy

William "Bill" Boyd Hopalong Cassidy - HW private car. (RAILROAD HERITAGE)

Cavalcade of Amusement

Cavalcade of Amusement Ernestine Rose - steel clad wood vestibuled private car. (LOUISIANA DIGITAL LIBRARY)

Circus World Museum

The Circus World Museum website - The Circus World Museum features many artifacts, displays, memorabilia, photograph collections, records and and even train cars, with many of the circus' and Theme Trains from the past being covered.  The Museum is a must see for fans and researchers of these great shows (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

CWMX 43 The Dorchester - HW baggage - mail car rblt. to open-air coach. (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

CWMX 43 The Dorchester - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

CWMX 43 The Dorchester - (NORTH EAST RAILS)

CWMX 43 The Dorchester - (FRANK)

CWMX 45 The Woneno - HW baggage - mail car rblt. to open-air coach. (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

CWMX 46 The Baraboo - HW 10 Sect - lounge observation car. (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

CMWX 47 The Delavan - (ex-NYC 10725, ex-PULL Dover Bay, nee-Adrian) HW 6 DBR - buffet lounge rblt. from baggage - buffet - club - smoker (barber shop). (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

CMWX 47 The Delavan - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

CMWX 47 The Delavan - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

CMWX 47 The Delavan - (FRANK)

CWMX 47 The Delavan - (R. WISCHER)

CMWX 48 The Janesville - (ex-AT&SF) HW dining car. (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

CMWX 48 The Janesville - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

CMWX 48 The Janesville - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

CMWX 48 The Janesville - (FRANK)

CMWX 48 The Janesville - (FRANK)

CWMX 48 - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

Exhibition Cars

In early railroading days special cars were sometimes purchased Minstrell groups and Play groups, as well as being used by cities, companies and political groups, in an effort to get their message out to the populas.  The cars below are but a small example of such cars.

International Correspondence Schools - wood open-platform private car. (JACKSON & SHARP — DELAWARE HERITAGE COLLECTION)

Florida's Rolling Exhibition - (JACKSON & SHARP — DELAWARE HERITAGE COLLECTION)

Florida's Rolling Exhibition - (JACKSON & SHARP — DELAWARE HERITAGE COLLECTION)

North Carolina Rolling Exhibition wood open-platform exhibit car - (HAGLEY DIGITAL ARCHIVES)

Al W. Martin's Uncle Tom's Cabin Co. 1 - wood open-platform private car. (JACKSON & SHARP — DELAWARE HERITAGE COLLECTION)

Al W. Martin's Uncle Tom's Cabin Co. 3 - wood open-platform ??? (JACKSON & SHARP — DELAWARE HERITAGE COLLECTION)

Al W. Martin's Uncle Tom's Cabin Co. 3 - (JACKSON & SHARP — DELAWARE HERITAGE COLLECTION)

John Philip Quinn's Anti-Gambling Crusade Roanoke - wood open-platform private car. (JACKSON & SHARP — DELAWARE HERITAGE COLLECTION)

Dr. Gentry's Humanly Educated Dogs and Ponies Show

Dr. Gentry's 1 - wood open-platform animal car. (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

Dr. Gentry's 2 - wood open-platform private car. (RR PICTURE ARCHIVES)

ICAP - Ice Capades

CAP 107 - (ex-PRR) HW baggage - express. (LOS ANGELES RIVER RAILROADS)

ICAP 109 - (ex-ATSF) corrugated baggage - express. (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

ICAP 110 - (ex-ATSF) corrugated baggage - express. (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

ICAP 110 - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

ICAP 111 - (ex-ATSF) corrugated baggage - express. (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

ICAP 111 - (RR - FALLEN FLAGS)

Welsh Brothers RR Shows

Welsh Brothers Railroad Shows 3 - wood open-platform theatrical car. (JACKSON & SHARP — DELAWARE HERITAGE COLLECTION)

The graphics on this page are original artwork, © 2007 - 2010, by J.M. LaBoda.