New Haven Railroad presents the red, white & blue ALCO PA-1 led 7 car Special Exhibit Freedom Train on a siding next to Union Station at Hartford, Connectucut, 10-4-1947

            New Haven Railroad presents the red, white & blue ALCO PA-1 led 7 car Special Exhibit Freedom Train on a siding next to Union Station at Hartford, Connectucut, 10-4-1947.  A good sized crowd was on hand to view the Special Exhibit Freedon Train that presented actual early day American documents.   Notice the large police force contingent on the scene.

The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway loaned a baggage car for the train's equipment car. The Pennsylvania Railroad loaned the cars that would become the Freedom Train's three display cars, and the Pullman Company lent the three cars that would accommodate the staff for the journey.

The individual railroads and the Association of American Railroads cooperated fully in meeting the train's need for frequent interchange and priority over the regular traffic of each railroad to meet its display schedule. The train ran on 52 different railroads and had Presidential priority. 

A new ALCO-GE PA diesel-electric locomotive pulled the train, which carried the original versions of the United States Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Truman Doctrine, and the Bill of Rights on its tour of more than 300 cities in all 48 states.  As Alaska and Hawaii did not gain statehood until 1959, this train toured all of the U.S. states that existed at the time. It was the first train to visit all 48 contiguous states (the 1936 Rexall Train had come close, but missed Nevada).  The structure to the right is a portion of the elevated Hartford Union Station platform track area, and to the left is the old Central New Englad Station now used by REA operations and the Railroad Police.  Check out the old sedan with the group of loudspeakers on top.

Top Marines were selected to attend to the train and its famous documents. The Marine contingent was led by Col. Robert F. Scott.

This photo came from the Internet and the photographers name was not provided.  Any credit for this photo must be provided to the original photographer.

Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for the purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.  Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.  Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

Taken on: January 24, 2024

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