HUGE NEWS: Monson steam engine #4 AND Bridgton & Saco River steam engine #8 will be FULLY RESTORED to active service!

Maine Narrow Gauge is partnering with Maine Locomotive & Machine Works to completely and accurately restore former Monson Railroad #4 and Bridgton & Saco River Railroad #8 to steam again. Both of these steam engines will be placed into active service upon completion of their restoration work.

These two survivors of Maine's two-footer railways are especially relevant in Maine history, and both played vital roles in helping develop Maine's remote interior.
Monson #4 was built in 1918 by Vulcan Iron Works for the Monson Railroad. It spent its working life hauling slate, passengers, and freight on the six-mile Monson Railroad. After that railroad's closure in 1943, Monson #4 went to the original version of the Edaville Family Theme Park. It stayed there for nearly 50 years before coming to Portland when Maine Narrow Gauge was formed. #4 worked our waterfront line in the early 2000s, but was withdrawn from service in 2014 because it required a new boiler. Since 2019, #4 has been located offsite, waiting for the day it can steam again.

Bridgton & Saco River Railroad #8 was built in 1924 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works. It was the last, largest, and heaviest of the steam engines built for the Bridgton & Saco River. It spent its working days carrying passengers and freight between Bridgton and Hiram, Maine, where the narrow gauge railroad had a connection with the standard gauge Maine Central Railroad. The Bridgton & Saco River Railroad (later renamed the Bridgton & Harrison Railway) closed in 1941. #8 enjoyed a second life at the Edaville Railroad, until the original version of the Edaville Railroad closed in 1991. #8 was returned to Maine as part of the inaugural Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Company & Museum Collection. Since the expiration of its boiler certificate, the locomotive has been stored offsite, awaiting a new boiler and additional restoration work.

Monson #4 and Bridgton & Saco River #8 are expected to be fully restored and placed into operation by the early 2030s. It is our mission and our privilege to bring not just one, but two steam engines back to life, so that they can continue to inspire and educate for many generations to come.

Upon completion of the restoration work, Maine Narrow Gauge will be one of the few railroads in the country to have our entire roster of steam engines in active service. We are grateful and incredibly excited for the future of steam-powered two-foot gauge railroading!

YOU can help return these engines to steam! Visit MaineNarrowGauge.org to make a donation in support of our steam operations. As a non-profit org, Maine Narrow Gauge relies on financial support in order to restore equipment and offer year-round programming. Opportunities to participate in the restoration work will be available to qualified Maine Narrow Gauge members.

Visit MaineNarrowGauge.org and follow our social media, as well as Maine Locomotive & Machine Works for the latest news and info.