Railroad Forums 

  • Maine Central Steam Locomotive #470 Discussion

  • Discussion relating to the pre-1983 B&M and MEC railroads. For current operations, please see the Pan Am Railways Forum.
Discussion relating to the pre-1983 B&M and MEC railroads. For current operations, please see the Pan Am Railways Forum.

Moderator: MEC407

 #1373149  by RGlueck
 
Here's a request: Does anyone have a photograph of 470's cab interior from prior to the asbestos abatement in the 1980's? Even if the cab is vandalized in the picture, we would like to see the arrangement as it was after retirement. There is a narrow view in Ron Ziel's classic, "Twilight of Steam Locomotives", but other than that, we have very little to show the layout.
Please contact me at [email protected].
 #1374050  by RGlueck
 
All sizes and both "American Made" and "Keep Calm and Steam On" shirts are in stock, as well as "470" logo baseball caps! Shirt price is $10 for members and $20 for non-members, hats are $10 for members, $14 for non-members. Priority mail is now $6.40, first class ground rate is $5.95. Order by Paypal on the website (http://www.newenglandsteam.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;), or mail a check to New England Steam Corp., P.O. Box 302, Winterport, Maine 04496.

Be sure to specify which shirt design and size you want, and the shipping address.
 #1382397  by RGlueck
 
WCSH television's program, "Bill Green's Maine" will feature New England Steam Corporation and Maine Central 470, this coming Saturday, April 30th. The broadcast will also be available on line!
 #1382809  by RGlueck
 
If you didn't get to see the coverage, here is a link to "Bill Green's Maine" and the story of what we are doing to bring back Maine Central 470. Bill and his cameraman did a terrific job of telling the public about what we're doing and why it's being done. Enjoy!

As a member or donor, you are already a real part of the effort. If you're not a supporter yet, if you're company isn't a corporate supporter, please imagine what you can do to move the restoration forward.

Also, save the date June 11, 2016, "Touch A Train 2016" will be held at Washington Jct. yard, of the Downeast Scenic Railroad, near Ellsworth. It's a time for children, children at heart, parents and grandparents, to get in touch with your inner train! Plenty of exhibits, attractions, free Governor's dessert samples, a "caboose hop", and a discount afternoon train ride! If your business wants to participate, set up a display, drop us an email at this address [email protected]. Our postal address is:

New England Steam Corp.
P.O. Box 302
Winterport, Maine 04496

470 moves from Waterville in July!



http://www.wcsh6.com/entertainment/tele ... /162537890" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 #1390999  by RGlueck
 
The late spring issue of "The Booster" has been issued. If you haven't received a copy, it's because you are not on our emailing list, AND YOU SHOULD BE! Please make a donation or take a membership by using the Paypal option on our website (http://www.newenglandsteam.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) or by down-loading a membership form and mailing it to New England Steam Corp., P.O. Box 302, Winterport, Maine 04496 .


To give you a little heads up on the expected itinerary for July, it's as follows. Asbestos abatement crews arrive next week, beginning Tuesday, and completing the removal of the latent material all week. Continued work on freeing the trailing booster truck, if possible during that abatement. The following week, removal of 470's cross-compound pump and cab for trucking to Washington Junction. Last week of July, if everything goes according to plan, removal of 470 as boiler, frame and wheels, and tender. A lot of coffee, ice water, and Gatorade to be consumed over those days. In the background, delivery of the Tarp-Rite structure to the restoration sight.

That's the plan. Please remember that while we are working very hard to meet those goals, any hitch can possibly delay the move by a week or two. Be patient with our efforts, as we have been working very hard to meet these expectations. In the meantime, your financial support is most welcome, and keeps every smaller piece of this big program moving. Please check out our "Restoration Supporter" pin option in "The Booster", showing your belief in preservation of the irreplaceable, and economic revitalization. Former Maine Central 470 is your "Mascot of Maine".

Richard Glueck
President
 #1395413  by RGlueck
 
New England Steam Corporation (NESCO) will move former Maine Central Railroad steam locomotive #470 from its park location on College Avenue, Waterville, Maine, to the restoration site at Washington Junction, of the Downeast Scenic Railroad, over August 8th, 9th, and 10th.

The move will involve moving the boiler by truck. The frame, cylinders, and drivers will follow on a second, the tender and remaining trucks on a third. These vehicle will be loaded and unloaded by cranes.

This undertaking will be time consuming and managed by professional movers. Spectators will not be permitted into the loading areas, but will be able to view it without difficulty. New England Steam Corporation personnel will be onsite to answer questions.

Please be aware, private vehicles will not be permitted in the immediate vicinity of the cranes, and trucks. Please also be aware, the Pan American Railroad parking area is private property, and the railroad is not involved in this operation.

Moving 470 is the culmination of three years of intense planning, fund raising, and volunteer labor, to preserve and restore the largest surviving steam locomotive in New England. 470 is an icon of Maine transportation history, having made the final steam powered run, on June 13, 1954. The locomotive was purchased by New England Steam Corporation from the city of Waterville in December, 2014, when it was determined the city could no longer care for it. NESCO has been funded to date by railfans, historians, and private foundation grants. Donated labor and services have been a large part of this effort.

The restored locomotive will eventually operate on the Downeast Scenic Railroad, serve as a "living classroom" for students pre-K to post graduate, and become a unique economic draw for the state.

To learn how Maine companies and members of the public can join NESCO, or contribute to the restoration of the locomotive, please visit http://www.newenglandsteam.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, or visit "New England Steam Corporation" and "Maine Central 470 Restoration", on Facebook. Contributions may be mailed directly to New England Steam Corp, P.O. Box 302, Winterport, Maine 04496 .
 #1396523  by douellet
 
The 470 has indeed arrived at Washington Junction. The tender and the frame and drivers are now on the rails of the DESX. We all know this will be a long term project to rebuild the 470, but what an amazing start! As Dick said, "we move at the speed of money", so please consider donating to 470 restoration effort.
 #1398790  by gokeefe
 
douellet wrote:The 470 has indeed arrived at Washington Junction. The tender and the frame and drivers are now on the rails of the DESX. We all know this will be a long term project to rebuild the 470, but what an amazing start! As Dick said, "we move at the speed of money", so please consider donating to 470 restoration effort.
Worth quoting from Dick's email to this post:
The tender was rerailed by 8:30AM, so most of us missed seeing it, what we didn't miss was it being coupled ceremonially to DESR #1055, ex-Portland Terminal. Ron Jenkins, the brakeman's, father ran 470 during his engineer years, so it was especially important for Ron. Ron also did the majority of journal renewal on the tender. We ran it slowly up the track and back, wearing away rust from the tender wheels, then coupled it to a flatcar with the pony truck, ash pan, and booster truck, to move it into the yard.
A few days after reading this message I was reflecting on it again ...

For the first time in many decades part of a Maine Central locomotive is on live tracks and in the process of restoration. The thought of that tender being moved around the yard was fascinating. There are so few pieces of passenger equipment from the Maine Central railroad remaining and even fewer of pre-WWII vintage. I think it is very difficult to overstate the significance of this restoration. This engine will be extraordinary for the length of complete dormancy and the authenticity of the restoration. It literally hasn't turned a wheel since it was removed from active scheduled service by the very railroad it was built for. This engine was never in any kind of company steam fleet nor did it take any of the other "conventional" paths to restoration that so many other museum engines have, let alone steam engines that were designed for passenger service.

I'm looking forward to watching this restoration proceed. It's great to see this project continue to move forward under such able and professional leadership.
  • 1
  • 26
  • 27
  • 28
  • 29
  • 30
  • 33