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 .