Fellow preservationists: Today I posted the 16 page document I prepared regarding the current condition of Maine Central #470 (Pacific class), long deteriorating in public display in Waterville, Maine. The document was edited by two other friends of preservation, at my request; Erik Ledbetter and Stephan Hussar. My thanks to both gentlemen. A cover letter to Mayor Paul LePage follows. The proposal details three possible plans for renewing and saving the locomotive. Two involve shelters, one involves donation to a Museum capable of evaluating and restoring her to operation. The letter follows:

Dear Mayor LePage:

The enclosed document details the preservation history of former Maine Central steam locomotive 470, long a symbol of the City of Waterville. I have written and submitted it to you on behalf of an extended network of railroad historians, fans, and interested parties, many of whom have been commenting on the deterioration of the locomotive, both in print and internet forums. The locomotive is in a severe state of decay and there appears to be no plan in place to preserve, restore, or historically interpret the engine. To this end, my submission offers three positive plans for sheltering, restoring, and featuring the 470 as part of Waterville's attractions.

Since the 1970's, steam locomotives have ceased to be regarded as disposable junk, but rather as irreplaceable antiques. To this end, many communities have moved towards constructing outdoor shelters or have sought museums capable of rebuilding and operating their charges. Maine Central #470 still has potential as both an exhibit and as a living monument to steam power in its marriage to Maine's industrial growth. I feel certain that when opened for public discussion, support can be raised for any of the alternatives I've cited. I have included newspaper articles from communities in New Hampshire and North Dakota, as examples of what I am proposing Waterville undertake. There is also a professional document detailing how to care for the static display locomotives.

Mayor LePage, I am requesting that you give this issue serious attention, as many people who have visited Waterville to see the 470 have reflected unfavorably on its current situation. I can assure you that time does not favor preservation where locomotives are concerned.

I am a former Maine Teacher of the Year (regional finalist, 2001), a Presidential Awardee for Excellence in Education (1993), and one of USA Today's Top Twenty Teachers (2001). One of the editors who reviewed the paper is on the staff of the American Association of Museums. We are serious people with a serious concern. I would be pleased to discuss the future of the 470 with you or with the City Council, and will be contacting your office for an appointment in the near future.

Sincerely,

I will let the RYPN group know of anything that develops from this initiative. Positive or negative, the locomotive is fading fast and it was time for somebody to step up to the plate.



glueck@maine.edu

Good luck. Lets hope you get a favorable response. Hopefully a group will come forward to preserve it and get it out of its current location. Perhaps the 470 Railclub? Or maybe a new grew will form to preserve it.

I received absolutely no assistance, cooperation, or photographs from the 470 Club. Not that they denied me anything; they just didn't come forward when requests were made. I am thinking they are interested only as a namesake organization.


glueck@maine.edu

> Fellow preservationists: Today I posted the
> 16 page document I prepared regarding the
> current condition of Maine Central #470

Where did you post the 16 pages? We are in serious need of preserving CN 6167 in Guelph, Ontario too, and I would like to see what your full proposal looks like. No sense reinventing the wheel if you have already done the necessary homework.

Or did I mis-interpret "post"? Did you mean take to the post office and mail, or can I actually read it online?

It isn't online, but send me your email and I'll get you a copy. Mind you, it's not about how to save locomotives, but what Waterville can do to preserve 470, if they have the will. If they don't, they should find someone who will care for her. It involved a little digging, a little extrapolation, and some imagination. I am mostly interested in prodding the city out of sitting dumbly, doing nothing.
6167 should be an easy project to work on. You have a wonderful library of photos while in active service, and numerous sisters to draw parts from.
Is this to run her, or to get her under cover?



glueck@maine.edu

> I received absolutely no assistance,
> cooperation, or photographs from the 470
> Club. Not that they denied me anything; they
> just didn't come forward when requests were
> made. I am thinking they are interested only
> as a namesake organization.

Can you say "travesty"?

Methinks that somehow Waterville or Guilford (or whoever) might want to sue them to change the name of the organization, if they can't be bothered to even make a *token* gesture towards their namesake loco.

LNER4472-NOSPAM-@bcpl.net

I appreciate how you feel, but in fairness, the 470 Club has Painted the loco in thepast, only to see it remain open and nearly destroyed. Let's say that while I'm a little disappointed, this is another, altogether voice coming forward on the locomotive. Maybe another voice will be good for what ails the city. I certainly can't shelve any blame to the 470 Club's shoulders. I think they should have taken notice and done something, but they didn't.

glueck@maine.edu

> 6167 should be an easy project to work on.
> You have a wonderful library of photos while
> in active service, and numerous sisters to
> draw parts from.
> Is this to run her, or to get her under
> cover?

I don't think she'll ever run again, anything I suppose is possible, but from what I can gather from those who ran her last, her boiler was pretty shot then, and moreso now. GTW 6325 is a pretty close relative, so if I squint, I can believe! She needs to be under cover, personally I would love for her to go to St. Thomas to be with cousin CN 5703, and be in the old Michigan Central Backshop, protected from the elements.