CLEVELAND — The American Steam Railroad Preservation Association plans to honor Cleveland’s railroad history and American Freedom Train steam locomotive No. 250’s 80th birthday with an open house on Saturday, Oct. 11. The event will take place at the Midwest Railway Preservation Society’s roundhouse — 2800 W. 3rd St., Cleveland. Proceeds will benefit the ongoing restoration of No. 250, which the ASR plans to have operating by 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,” says Nick Martin, ASR’s social media chairman. “Guests … will have a … hands-on experience with the sights, sounds and smells of their colorful railroad heritage at this first-of-its-kind event … ”
The birthday celebration will feature:
- Locomotive No. 250 (former Reading Co. 4-8-4 No. 2100) 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
- 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 … ,” says Rob Gardner, ASR president.
Admission for the event starts at $15.00 per person. Children under 3 are free. Guests 16 and under must be accompanied by a ticketed adult. Advance tickets are available.
In 2015, ASR signed a multi-year lease for Reading Co. steam locomotive No. 2100 and moved the locomotive to Cleveland for restoration. More than 23,000 volunteer hours have been committed to the project. In April 2025, No. 2100 successfully completed a steam test. When completed, the ASR plans to paint the locomotive in the red, white and blue colors of the American Freedom Train and renumber it as No. 250.
