In 1975, the locomotive was restored to operation from scrapyard condition in an emergency 30-day overhaul after being selected to pull the first eastern portion of the American Freedom Train.

On March 6, 1979, while being stored one winter in a Chessie System roundhouse in Silver Grove, KY, 2101 was severely damaged in a fire.

Also damaged in that fire was a NYC Mohawk tender, which is now located at the National New York Central Railroad Museum in Elkhart, Indiana.

2101 was cosmetically restored and placed in the B&O Railroad Museum on Labor Day, 1979, in exchange for Chesapeake and Ohio 614.

In 1945, while World War II was nearing its end, the Reading Company (RDG) was looking into ordering large steam locomotives for use in heavy freight trains, but due to restrictions from the War Production Board, the company was only allowed to rebuild and modify their existing locomotives.

2101 pulled many freight and coal trains, until 1954, when nearly all steam locomotives on the RDG were removed from service.

[3] Beginning in 1959, the RDG launched the "Iron Horse Rambles", where a few T-1 locomotives would be used to pull excursion fantrips across the railroad's system.

[4][5][6] Despite its popularity, rising operating costs and deteriorating trackage forced the end of the Rambles, and the final train took place on October 17, 1964.

2100 in September 1967 to Streigel Equipment and Supply, and they were both moved to their scrapyard in Baltimore, Maryland for storage.

In 1975, the United States was preparing for its Bicentennial celebrations, and plans were underway to operate the American Freedom Train, which would travel across the country and stop at major cities.

Southern Pacific 4449 had been selected as the primary locomotive for the train, but clearances prohibited it from travelling within the northeastern portion of the U.S.[8] Ross Rowland subsequently purchased Nos.

2101 was restored to operating condition in only thirty days by March 28, 1975, and it was repainted as American Freedom Train No.

2101 to the B&O Railroad Museum, in exchange for Chesapeake and Ohio 614, which would pull the 1981 Chessie Safety Express between Baltimore to Hagerstown.