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The "Preamble Express": A Bicentennial Prelude

Published: July 6, 2024

By: Adam Burns

In anticipation of America's Bicentennial in 1976, the nation found numerous ways to celebrate 200 years of independence. Among these commemorative undertakings was the iconic "Preamble Express" train excursions of 1974.

This unique train not only honored America's historical journey but also reunited citizens with the cherished ideals encapsulated in the Constitution.

The Preamble Express, though, also had a very important task:  In anticipation of the American Freedom Train, the Preamble Express, a four-car convoy, was dispatched to meticulously scout the route and liaise with host city officials.

During an extensive five-month expedition in the summer and fall of 1974, the Preamble Express journeyed through all 48 contiguous states.

This thorough venture involved evaluating dozens of potential display sites and coordinating with hundreds of local officials and law enforcement agencies to ensure the seamless hosting of America’s largest Bicentennial celebration.

Delaware & Hudson U23B #2312 (formerly #312), painted for the "Preamble Express," lays over at the Boston & Maine's terminal in Portland, Maine on July 10, 1974. American-Rails.com collection.

The four-car Preamble Express embarked on a mission to scout the route of the American Freedom Train (AFT) and engage with local community leaders to prepare for the AFT's upcoming visit.

A series of informative meetings were held in Car 4, which was specially designed as a classroom and equipped with state-of-the-art audio and video systems.

Here, Preamble staff presented detailed exhibit and display plans for the AFT and showcased the 16mm film "All Aboard America."

This film, featuring the song "All Aboard America, Here Comes The Freedom Train" by Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton, was projected on a screen at the rear of the car, delivering a captivating preview of the AFT journey.

Each guest received an AFT press kit, complete with promotional materials about the AFT and a 45 RPM record of the Wagoner/Parton recording.

After the presentations wrapped up, guests were invited to Car 2, the dining car, where they enjoyed a full-course hot dinner prepared by a former New York City chef in the Power Car kitchen.

Initially, these dinner meetings with local Bicentennial committees were held at each stop along the journey. However, starting in Denver, the format shifted, and the meetings were conducted over breakfast for the remainder of the trip.

This change ensured a comprehensive and enriching experience for every participant, fostering excitement and preparation for the AFT's historic journey.

Locomotives

The Preamble Express primarily operated with just two locomotives; its first was Delaware & Hudson U23B #2312 (ex-#312). Following General Motors' sponsorship of the American Freedom Train organizers felt an EMD locomotive was necessary.

As a result, Union Pacific E9A #951 was tabbed.  The streamlined unit was taken to EMD's La Grange plant, given a patriotic red, white, and blue livery and took over leading the Preamble Express at Omaha, Nebraska on August 11, 1974.

Passenger Cars

Among all the cars on the American Freedom Train, a select four boasted the most colorful past. These cars included Reading Class CVM all-steel combination passenger-baggage #592 (built in 1927) as well as all-steel Class PBm coaches #1327, #1329, and #1332, built in 1922.  The latter had long been used in commuter service.

In 1935-36, during routine maintenance, the cars underwent a transformation to add air conditioning, trading their old "clerestory" roofs for the streamlined rounded roofs associated with the streamlined era. At the time, they were part of a common fleet, indistinguishable from several other similar cars.

Their fate took a unique turn in June, 1966 when the Reading sold cars #592, #1327, and #1329 to Permacel, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson.

These cars were repurposed for the Permacel Express, an exhibit train intended to promote the company's industrial tape products. In this new role, #592 became P1, named "Innovator"; #1327 became P2, "Motivator"; and #1329 became P3, "Educator".

Car #1329 also received an open platform on one end, effectively transforming it into an observation car. By this time, all three cars had been modified to include a prominent, almost chimney-like roof vent, distinguishing them from other Reading cars which typically featured small, low-profile vents.

The maiden voyage of the Permacel Express in September 1966 saw these cars pulled by the New York Central's famous 20th Century Limited from New York to Chicago.

The Permacel Express operated until December 1967, marking an eventful chapter in the life of these once-ordinary commuter cars, which would later become iconic components of the American Freedom Train.

On November 21, 1968, three of the cars were sold at auction at the Parke-Burnet Galleries in New York to the Lancaster & Chester Railway of South Carolina.

A fourth car, former Reading #1332, was then added to provide additional space for corporate exhibits and product displays.

This new addition retained its original small, low-profile roof vents from its Reading days, making it easily distinguishable from its near-clone, #1327.

The car was aptly named "Stimulator." Together, the quartet—now renumbered as 11, 12, 13, and 14—became the "Springmaid Special," a traveling classroom and meeting space for company employees that was later utilized for public promotions.

In mid-1974, the ensemble was transferred to the American Freedom Train Foundation, where they became the Preamble Express.

This four-car diesel-powered train played a crucial role in scouting the route for the forthcoming American Freedom Train. In this new capacity, the cars were renumbered 1, 2, 3, and 4, marking another significant chapter in their storied history.

The Nationwide Excursion

During its time in service, the Preamble Express is known to have visited 77 different cities along with a number of other station stops.  In total, the trips last four months, departing from Boston's North Station on July 8, 1974 and concluding at Baltimore's Camden Station (B&O) on November 14, 1974.