SKU: ROW

Here is the fascinating story of Ross E. Rowland, Jr. Considered by many to be ?America?s Greatest Railfan?, Rowland was largely responsible for creating the steam locomotive excursion industry.

Beginning with a modest series of High Iron Company trips in the mid-1960s featuring several ex-Canadian Pacific 4-6-2s and ex-Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 759, Ross next created the famous Golden Spike Centennial Limited in 1969 to celebrate the completion of the first transcontinental railroad, again featuring the 759. The magnificent American Freedom Train followed in 1975 and ?76. Pulled by several steam locomotives on a 21-month transcontinental tour visiting 138 cities and attracting more than seven million paid visitors, the Freedom Train was the only nationwide celebration of America?s Bicentennial.

In 1977 and ?78, Ross developed the Chessie Steam Special to honor the 150th Anniversary of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, America?s first railroad. More than 100 steam-powered excursions pulled by ex-Reading 4-8-4 2101 were run over the vast Chessie System in the eastern United States.

Two years later, another series of trips, dubbed the Chessie Safety Express, featured ex-C&O 4-8-4 614 on a system-wide tour. This classic steam locomotive rode the rails again in 1985 to help Rowland?s American Coal Enterprises Corporation conduct tests to develop a new generation of coal-powered locomotive designed to lessen our country?s dependence on foreign oil.

Ross? most recent project was the Erie Limited, a series of passenger excursions on New Jersey Transit?s high-speed main line between Hoboken, NJ and Port Jervis, NY, from 1996 through 1998.

This fine program premiered before a live audience at the 2003 Convention of the National Railway Historical Society in Baltimore, MD, and has been awarded a prestigious 25th Anniversary Telly Award as well as a 2003 Communicator Award for Excellence in Video Production. It was also shown to a live audience of 1100 railroad enthusiasts at WinterRail 2005 in Stockton, California, receiving the honor of being the very first video program to be presented at this prestigious event.

A promotional video on C&O 614, produced by Mark I Video for Iron Horse Enterprises, is also included.