SP 4449 Ownership and Management

wesp · **Posted:** Thu Dec 23, 2004 10:03 pm

Just curious as to who owns SP 4449? Does the city of Portland provide any management or financial support? Is SP&S 700 covered in the same manner?

Thanks!

Wesley

Erik Ledbetter · **Posted:** Fri Dec 24, 2004 12:40 am

My understanding is that the City of Portland still owns 4449, S&PS 700 and OR&N 197-- the "Brooklyn 3." Each locomotive has its own caretaker organization. I've never been clear on exactly how the relationship between the caretaker groups and the city is legally structured--whether the locomotives are on loan, are rented, or some other arrangement. I believe the city rents the Brooklyn Roundhouse from UP to house the engines, but otherwise provides little direct assistance and no management or oversight.

I'm just piecing this together from things I've read over the years though, and I might very well be wrong on the details. I'd like to hear the nitty gritty myself--its an interesting question.

David Forsyth · **Posted:** Fri Dec 24, 2004 2:48 pm

I consider this railway preservation at its finest. How often are two (soon to be three) locos unstuffed and restored to operating status from the same park? Whatever the politics, it obviously works to everyones benefit.

Stephen Hussar · **Posted:** Fri Dec 24, 2004 5:02 pm

Their arrangement could be a good model to emulate for the folks in Waterville, ME.

wesp · **Posted:** Mon Dec 27, 2004 9:05 am

I am giving this a bump to move it up. Hopefully someone has an anser to the original question of who owns the engines in Portland and what arrangements are in place to provide financial support to their on-going operations and maintenance.

Wesley

BNsd40-2 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 27, 2004 6:12 pm

See Erik's post above, he gave a pretty good answer for your question.

Jim V. · **Posted:** Mon Dec 27, 2004 10:45 pm

The locomotive groups(Friends of 4449, Friends of 197 and Pacific Railroad Presrevation Association-SP&S 700) are the custodians of the City of Portland's Locomotives. The city does have a lease agreement with the UP for the Brooklyn Roundhouse.
The locomotive groups receive no financial help from the City of Portland. Each group funds it's own work and activities. All are non-profit corporations and the work on the locomotives is done by volunteers. Donations of materials is a major part of getting the work done.
Funds are raised by donations, memberships, concession sales and the operation of the locomotives.
The friends of the 4449 and the PRPA sign a lease with the City for the days of operations.

Jim Vanderbeck
President
Pacific Railroad Preservation Association