Town of Bridgton site for Maine Narrow Gauge Museum

o anderson · **Posted:** Fri Jul 16, 2010 10:41 am

News article about an effort to relocate some or all of the MNGRM collection from Portland to Bridgton:
http://www.bridgton.com/rrmuseum.php

Return of the Rails, the organization created for the relocation:
http://www.returnoftherails.com/

The following was posted on the MNG discussion group, April 25th of this year:

Quote:

To Members and Friends of the Maine Narrow Gauge:

Responding to inside and outside forces, from paying market rent to a poor economy, the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum is facing realities head on. The impact of these forces on MNGRR has been substantial. The MNGRR Board is meeting the challenge with equally substantial actions.

Here are the steps we are taking:

• Launching a capital campaign to raise $150,000 this Spring;
• Increasing grant-writing, including hiring a grant-writing consultant;
• Improving Polar Express for higher returns;
• Soliciting donations of antiques and railroadiana items for a fund-raising auction to be held this summer;
• Increasing railroad ticket sales by partnering with Portland Discovery Tours;
• Researching alternate locations for a possible future home for the collection and/or the museum;
• Reducing expenses by using volunteers to assist paid staff with retail and administrative duties.;
• Analyzing our collection to determine what, if any, items could be sold.

The possible sale of collection items is being carefully considered. What is the “core” collection? What can be sold in order to preserve the most significant part of the collection? We have more than we can care for adequately at this time and in this economy.

No decision has been made about selling any part of our collection. We are simply exploring alternatives. Our first approach would be to the museums that currently hold pieces of our collection, to see if they would be interested in purchasing those items now on loan from us. We are also asking the public, donors, and our members to buy individual items with the purpose of donating them back to the museum to assure that the collection stay together as a whole and to reduce our debt on the collection loan. Each item considered would be individually examined.

A strong collections policy and committee advise the Board in this process.

Erv.
Erv. Bickford
President of the Board

April 20, 2010

trolleyira · **Joined:** Fri Jul 22, 2005 11:22 pm **Posts:** 219

The Wiscasset Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum, of Alna, ME has recently purchased from the Maine Narrow Gauge Museum, former Wiscasset & Quebec coach #3.
This coach had been leased from the MNGRM for a number of years and the chance came up recently to purchase it outright.
This was made possible by a loan from a generous member and allows the WW&F to rebuilt #3 in the future.
This as a good example of inter-museum cooperation and both parties are to be congratulated. It is the typical win-win suituation.

Ira Schreiber
Member:WW&F and
Maine Narrow Guage Railway Museums

jrevans · **Posted:** Sun Jul 18, 2010 1:14 am

I find this interesting to me because I just returned from my first ever trip to Maine, where I managed to drag my wife and two kids to the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad.

After finally finding the railroad hidden away down in Portland, I admit that I was disappointed by there being no steam, but the train ride was a pleasant (but short) trip. I asked the conductor about the steam locomotive, and he said that the last active locomotive failed an inspection during the "santa train" trips last year, due to the failure of "some bolts" in the boiler, but he didn't seem to know a lot about locomotives. (I'm guessing staybolts.) The storage shed that the locomotive was in, was apparently torched by vandals too... The view of the harbor on the trip was good, and the little center cab diesel had a nice sounding horn on it. It was touristy and my wife and kids (e.g. the general public) enjoyed it. I found it interesting that the old car that we were riding in, was made in York, PA which is where I have just taken a new job. I liked seeing the swing bridge where the trip ended and it would be nice if they could travel across it, but I understand that's not very likely.

I grew up reading about Maine narrow gauge railroads (like the SR&RL) in Trains magazines, and it was interesting to see some of the equipment in person. Amazing to see the rails so close together, and interesting to see the heavy rail that they are using.

Stephen Hussar · **Posted:** Sun Jul 18, 2010 7:00 pm

I think the title of this thread is quite misleading. Not only is Maine Narrow Gauge Museum NOT moving, but it would come as a HUGE surprise to the town of Bridgton if they knew they were the new site for it.

While it is true MNG has recently deaccessioned a couple of pieces of rolling stock, Portland will continue to be their home, perhaps with Bridgton as a satellite location. As far as Bridgton goes, they are obviously interested in re-discovering their narrow gauge roots, but they are proceeding with caution.

Jim, some very talented people are working daily to get steam up and running again in Portland. And steam was running a little further north the day you were there, another 40 minutes drive to Alna.

Heading south with "Bullet Bob" at the throttle...(taken last weekend)

jrevans · **Posted:** Sun Jul 18, 2010 8:12 pm

Stephen Hussar wrote:

I think the title of this thread is quite misleading. Not only is Maine Narrow Gauge Museum NOT moving, but it would come as a HUGE surprise to the town of Bridgton if they knew they were the new site for it.

While it is true MNG has recently deaccessioned a couple of pieces of rolling stock, Portland is their home. And as far as Bridgton goes, they have definitely shown interest in re-discovering their narrow gauge roots, but they are proceeding with caution.

Jim, some very talented people are working daily to get steam up and running again in Portland. And steam was running a little further north the day you were there, another 40 minutes drive to Alna.

Stephen,

Thank you for the clarifications above. After posting my message, I did a web search and browsed the web board for the MNGM and saw the status updates on their locomotive restorations as well as other stuff. Looks like all is heading in the correct direction and it's good to see that the deaccession of some equipment can be used to help other local railroads start and expand their own organizations. I forgot to say that I enjoyed the museum and it was good to see the passenger cars inside of the building, featuring nice woodwork and paneling.

I did not know about the WW&F up in Alna, as they didn't show on any of the touristy info that we picked up at the rest areas / hotels. The WW&F website seems to show that it was just a work session on Friday when I was in the area, but steam on Saturday. This was a spur of the moment vacation (planned the day before leaving, since I just got a job after nine months of unemployment....) so there was very poor advance planning on my part.

Don't worry, I got my steam fix on Saturday when I dragged my family to the Valley Railroad in CT on the way back to Pennsylvania. Post soon to follow.

o anderson · **Posted:** Sun Jul 18, 2010 8:54 pm

I think it is fair game to say that Bridgton is a possible site for the MNGRM. Perhaps the title should have been worded like that, however I rewrote it a few times and kept running out of space.

Again, quoting from the MNGRM itself, as part of its goals for 2010:

Quote:

• Researching alternate locations for a possible future home for the collection and/or the museum;

I interpret that as saying whether or not they stay or they move is apparently not known at this time, and they are considering their options.

Sloan · **Posted:** Wed Jul 28, 2010 8:43 am

Subscription required in order to get whole story.

http://www.theirregular.com/news/2010-0 ... um_an.html

P2c3689 · **Posted:** Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:30 pm

I think these action steps Erv cites in his letter need to be taken. I believe that MNGRRC&M is committed to continuing to run steam, former B&SR #7 and former MRR #3 are both undergoing heavy boiler work at Boothbay Railway Village. B&SR 7's work is being funded by MNG, while the work on SR&RL #3 is being funded by the SR&RL museum in Phillips. As someone else mentioned, this is a great example of inter-organization cooperation between SR&RL, MNG, and BRV.

Jim, if you are ever headed to MNGRRC&M again, shoot me an email, thartfor@gmail.com. I will put you in touch with someone who can give you a tour of the enginehouse. If I was ever volunteering when someone who seemed legitimately interested in the history of the Maine Two Footers was around I always tried to give them an escorted tour of the enginehouse to stimulate their interest and support. MNG did run steam about 40 days a year for more than 15 years, but it was decided that the locomotive you are talking about had to be sidelined for safety reasons. Work is progressing on B&SR #7 at BRV however.

I think the move to Bridgton would be a great move in the right direction, the site at Portland, while it definately has its advantages, also has a plethora of problems.

Regards,

Trevor Hartford

Ted Miles · **Posted:** Tue Aug 17, 2010 12:31 pm

Folks,
I am a fan of those Two footers down in Maine.
i have visited them a number of times over the years. but my membership money goes to the WW&F because they are re-building their railroad on the original right of way.

Maine Narow Gauge has no long term prospects in their present location; just a lease on the property. They are required to maintain the way too large rails on standard gauge ties that exist on the site. This is not historic preservation.

I have to give them credit for indoor storage of some very special equipment like the Rangeley parlor car.

And for sharing their equipment; I have lost track of how many places that the Monson #3 locomotive has traveled to and from. That includes Monson itself.

While considerable right of way exists in and around Bridgton it too is not without the nay sayers.

i wish them luck in the future and Thank them for selling the W&Q #3 back to the WW&F. It was the right thing to do!

Ted Miles

o anderson · **Posted:** Mon Aug 23, 2010 11:41 am

From the Bridgton Board of Selectmen's Meeting Minutes of July 27th:

Quote:

3. Public Comments; Non-Agenda Items
Presentation by Alan S. Manoian, Economic & Community Development Director
Mr. Manoian displayed a slideshow presentation of Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum and part of the potential impact to Bridgton. He noted heritage tourism; active expression of Bridgton heritage; regional heritage transportation corridor; the streaming and/or riding experience is the product.

Ned Allen, representing the Bridgton Historical Society, supports the Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum Proposal.

4. Presentations and Discussions
a. Finalize Town’s Position Regarding the Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum Proposal
Motion was made by Selectman Woodward to direct the Town Manager to submit a letter of interest to the Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum; 2nd from Selectman Taft.
5 approve/0 oppose

The Board suggested that the Economic & Community Development Committee create a preliminary sub plan for the Depot Street and Route 302 area.

http://www.bridgtonmaine.org/minutes/minselect/mins0910/20100727bosmin.pdf

o anderson · **Posted:** Fri Jun 03, 2011 12:20 am

Recently reported in the Bridgton town hall meeting minutes - Maine Narrow Gauge is deliberating over their options. A decision may occur within a month or so.

Quote:

Board of Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
May 10, 2011; 6:00 P.M.
Page 5 of 9
6. Correspondence and Other Pertinent Information
A. The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum - Alan S. Manoian
Economic and Community Development Director, Alan Manoian briefly gave an overview of the
site walk results with the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad as a result of the RFP response. The Maine
Narrow Gauge Railroad is now going through their deliberations, and they will be making their decisions
in late June/early July. Selectman Woodward also stated that it was made clear to the Narrow Gauge
Railroad members that even though we gave them a proposal that we think will do great things, they have
to show us how what they have will do great things for Bridgton.

http://www.bridgtonmaine.org/minutes/minselect/mins0910/20110510bosmin.pdf

daylight4449 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 03, 2011 7:17 am

I wish the MNGR crew the best of luck. I'll try and visit them while I'm in Maine this summer. I was there last summer, and I liked what I saw. What can you expect, for MNGR to build a nuclear reactor in their garage? Yes, I know that they were built at the portland site. I discovered that and became the cause of a very funny joke. At least I thought it was funny.