Steam & Excursion > AFT 40th. Reunion

If you're one of the thousands of volunteers who helped the AFT display at one of its 138 display cities&towns I want to extend an invitation to you to attend this years bi-annual reunion which is being held in Portland, Oregon Sept.16-19.

   As it will be the 40th. anniversary of the AFT's journey it is attracting an unusually large crowd. Included in the weekends festivities are a private charter behind SP 4449, a trip aboard a very rare steam powered stern wheeler tugboat, unveiling of a new AFT exhibit at the magnificent new Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation roundhouse which houses the Daylight, the SP&S 700 and other treasures, a banquet and other fun stuff.

   If you're interested in attending please write to Laurie McCormack this years Chair at ( meanljm@comcast.net) and request a registration form. The AFT owes the thousands of community volunteers across the nation a huge debt of gratitude as without their participation its mission could not have succeeded.

   I hope to see many of you in Portland so that I can extend my personal thanks.

   Ross Rowland

co614 Wrote:
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> If you're one of the thousands of volunteers who
> helped the AFT display at one of its 138 display
> cities&towns I want to extend an invitation to you
> to attend this years bi-annual reunion which is
> being held in Portland, Oregon Sept.16-19.
>
>    As it will be the 40th. anniversary of the
> AFT's journey it is attracting an unusually large
> crowd. Included in the weekends festivities are a
> private charter behind SP 4449, a trip aboard a
> very rare steam powered stern wheeler tugboat,
> unveiling of a new AFT exhibit at the magnificent
> new Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation roundhouse
> which houses the Daylight, the SP&S 700 and other
> treasures, a banquet and other fun stuff.
>
>    If you're interested in attending please
> write to Laurie McCormack this years Chair at (
> meanljm@comcast.net) and request a registration
> form. The AFT owes the thousands of community
> volunteers across the nation a huge debt of
> gratitude as without their participation its
> mission could not have succeeded.
>
>    I hope to see many of you in Portland so that
> I can extend my personal thanks.
>
>    Ross Rowland
​Hi Ross:  There are some folks here in the Baltimore area who are not able to attend.  Best wishes to all who can.  I only wish that we could have some kind of ceremony here with the AFT #1 (Reading 2101) but as you are well aware, that engine continues to be neglected by the B&O Railroad Museum Management.  I just wish that someone could change those people and either make them do things differently or remove them and get some real historians in there to run things.  That was an exciting time for all of us who rode behind the 2101, especially when it pulled the Chessie Steam Specials.
John

Thanks for your message Ross.  Also of note, the Oregon Rail Heritage Center in conjunction with the AFT Staff Reunion is installing a major exhibit highlighting Portland's contribution to this great American event.   Many of us Portland based rail history folk believe that the AFT is the reason that the Oregon Rail Heritage Center facility exists today.....without the AFT, the city of Portland's three steam locomotives would very probably be still rusting away in near SE Portland's Oaks Amuseument Park.  

​Tomorrow we professionally capture video interviews with four key Portland area AFTers......again, working to preserve this important piece of history.    Arlen

asheldrake Wrote:
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> f.....without the AFT, the
> city of Portland's three steam locomotives would
> very probably be still rusting away in near SE
> Portland's Oaks Amuseument Park.  
>


So true.

Martin

---

LoggerHogger Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> asheldrake Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > f.....without the AFT, the
> > city of Portland's three steam locomotives
> would
> > very probably be still rusting away in near SE
> > Portland's Oaks Amusement Park.  
> >
>
>
> So true.
>
> Martin
​This is what is happening here in Baltimore, Maryland at the B&O Railroad Museum.  AFT #1 (ex- Reading 2101) is rotting and collecting rust and the museum management does NOT care one bit, sorry to say.
John

ClubCar Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> LoggerHogger Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > asheldrake Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > f.....without the AFT, the
> > > city of Portland's three steam locomotives
> > would
> > > very probably be still rusting away in near
> SE
> > > Portland's Oaks Amusement Park.  
> > >
> >
> >
> > So true.
> >
> > Martin
> ​This is what is happening here in Baltimore,
> Maryland at the B&O Railroad Museum.  AFT #1 (ex-
> Reading 2101) is rotting and collecting rust and
> the museum management does NOT care one bit, sorry
> to say.
> John
Yes we are aware about AFT #1, you make sure to post about it every chance you get. Complaining on here isn't going to get it fixed

Spoony81 Wrote:
-
> Yes we are aware about AFT #1, you make sure to
> post about it every chance you get. Complaining on
> here isn't going to get it fixed.
​You are correct; however I am always hoping that someone on here will have a valid idea as to what can be done.  I've asked for people on here to contact the museum by mail and to complain; but I'm sure that many people, even some who are interested, will not bother to take the time and send them a constructive letter stating that this engine should be restored.  At this point I do not know what else to do?
John

ClubCar Wrote:
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  At this point I do
> not know what else to do?
> John

Just my opinion; you might stop beating the dead horse here on TO.  Apparently it has become obvious that nobody here cares enough.

ClubCar Wrote:
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> At this point I do
> not know what else to do?
> John

My suggestion:

Write a letter, have Ross, Doyle, Jack, and any other former AFT leadership sign the letter. Send this certified mail to the Museum and to the local papers.

-Dave

HotWater Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ClubCar Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>   At this point I do
> > not know what else to do?
> > John
>
> Just my opinion; you might stop beating the dead
> horse here on TO.  Apparently it has become
> obvious that nobody here cares enough.

Normally I'm not one to chime in on here with an "Amen" - but - Amen!!

Jim Lipnitz
Morrisville, PA
Big Jim Video Productions

Hey Clubcar

   You go right on posting your thoughts and cares on the 2101,the museum,and whatever else is important to you as its relates to this forum,even if they are redundant. You obviously care deeply about the subject,as do the former UP steam team members who constantly post their thoughts and opinions on a subject that means a lot to them,and as many others on this forum do as well about what's important to THEM! Maybe if you keep posting,someone WILL be able to start an effort toward a meaningful end. I remember the story of a man who took it upon himself to give the 4449 much needed care while it was rusting away in a certain park in Portland,and that care is what made it a viable candidate for restoration for the AFT. So keep up the good fight,and to those who who find his posts objectionable...DONT READ THEM...see how easy that is!

    TOM

Day one...

 

---

Very cool!
SR

I've been informed by the AFT reunion chairwoman that all the weekends events are sold out. Should be a fun packed weekend with lots of great memories. Best regards, Ross Rowland

In the "Day One" photo, is that Doyle crouched down at the pilot, checking the tracking of the leading truck?

Yes, on the engineer's side, ----- sure looks like Doyle.

W.