Thanks Brian! I better undersatdn the issue now. Is there a bumper crop of younger people coming up in the 470 Club that might consider your suggestion a real possibility? I would be happy to put my money where my mouth is on this one: if someone can come up with a good cosmetic restoration plan, I would be more than happy to chip in some cash on it. However, if the town of Waterville isn't interested, how successful that may be I do not know. Would a letter writing campaign to the community be a better route?
TJ
> Good questions TJ.I'll try and answer
> them,but remember that even though I'm a 470
> Railroad Club member, my opinions are not
> necessarily those of the 470 Railroad Club.
> First,the MEC 501 has been undergoing its
> rebuild over a number of years now. A little
> here,a little there.It is also the only
> steam locomotive owned by the 470 Club.
> MEC 470 is owned by the town of Waterville
> Maine, and is on display there next to the
> tracks and yard that it once ran on.The
> locomotive had been maintained well in past
> years, but those folks don't visit the 470
> much anymore I guess. 470 is quickly
> deteriorating due to the elements, and local
> miscreants who try their best to physically
> rip parts off and cast them about. When I
> visited the display last summer, I found
> people climbing all over the engine. Kids
> were having fun squeezing under the drivers
> and brake rigging and making their way up
> into a secret fort they've built within the
> frame/crosshead area. Later I saw these kids
> again and this time they crawled down into
> the tender and began kicking out loose rust
> through holes in the side sheets.
> I approached these two kids, and explaned
> that they were not helping old 470 by
> trashing it.I also explaned to them the
> reason why 470 is in that park and what it
> represents as far as railroad heritage. They
> seemed to get it...at least for the moment.
> I recall looking over my shoulder as I was
> leaving, and saw the boys trying to make the
> bell ring by throwing ballast stones at
> it.Ironically, one of the kids said that his
> grandfather used to run 470.
> The town of Waterville hasn't done much to
> help. As far as I can see,all they do is cut
> the grass.
> The 470 Club is sypathetic to 470s needs and
> would be happy to see at least a clean up
> and fresh paint.
> I think it comes down to resposibility.Who's
> responsible for the engine? The town of
> Waterville is, but they don't seem to want
> much to do with 470.
> The 470 Railroad Club should take this
> opportunity to approach the town of
> Waterville,and request help for #470. I
> doubt if the town would spend a penny to
> help the locomotive,but would most certainly
> approve of a fundraiser to benefit the
> display site.A cosmetic make-over is badly
> needed, but can be done after the engine is
> under cover and out of reach.That's what she
> really needs.Stabalize what's left and then
> make her look better.
> Why hasn't the 470 Club done this yet? I
> don't know. My feeling is that the club
> members are aging and don't feel up to the
> long drive to visit the locomotive. Besides
> what can they do when they get there besides
> take pictures?
> Even though the 470 Railroad Club hasn't
> done anything with 470, that may change
> after 501 is up and running.With 501
> running, it will make the 470 Club look
> experienced and capable of tending to 470s
> needs.
> I just hope she doesn't have to wait long.
> Hope this helps.
> Brian Hebert
Port Huron Museum
peremarquette@hotmail.com
|
