Former BAR BL2 557

Richard Glueck · **Posted:** Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:25 pm

Visited the Cole's Land Transportation Museum, in Bangor, today. Besides a wealth of road vehicles, including plows, delivery trucks, sleds, hearses, luxury autos, motorcycles and bicycles, there is a fine section on Maine's railroads.

BL2 557 is missing only the traction motors, otherwise drained, but intact with prime mover.

My wife in front of anex-Canadian Pacific speeder, with cab fabricated by her father in the Brownville Junction shops.

Maine Central caboose, restored and relatively intact.

Also included is an outside frame Maine Central wooden boxcar, refinished as a theater and display room, as well as the Enfield, Maine, railroad station. All of these exhibits are indoors in a climate controlled environment, and well cared for.

wm303 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 26, 2011 9:34 pm

> Maine Central caboose, restored and relatively intact

... which was built as Western Maryland 1878 in shops in Union Bridge and Hagerstown.

John D · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 2:28 pm **Posts:** 484

Seems to be a relatively well-funded and tasteful display. Could Maine Central #470 get a decent home here?

MEC_557 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 26, 2011 10:25 pm

The BL-2's design isn't one I've ever really cared for but it's great to see a unique historic loco like that done up well for display. The all weather cab window does throw the lines of the rest of the loco off in my opinion.

Richard Glueck · **Posted:** Wed Jul 27, 2011 8:28 am

The Cole Museum is well funded by the Cole Family. The cobblestone display floor was once part of the Maine Central yard in downtown Bangor. Regarding the 470, I may send a letter to Galen Cole regarding making a pitch for the old locomotive, but it won't go inside the building, which is now stuffed to capacity. Outside, however, there are other displays, including a tank, a "Huey" copter, a covered bridge, and several bronze memorial sculptures.

Stephen Hussar · **Posted:** Wed Jul 27, 2011 8:33 am

How about this one? Saratoga & North Creek No 52...
Today
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33737479@N05/5863198459/
August of 2000
http://www.flickr.com/photos/crazybarry/2574871692/
January 1992
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51920978@N06/5362545099/
August 1985
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... ?id=312738

Where's No 56...anyone know?

Stephen Hussar · **Posted:** Wed Jul 27, 2011 8:37 am

Richard Glueck wrote:

Regarding the 470, I may send a letter to Galen Cole regarding making a pitch for the old locomotive...

Richard, that's a GREAT idea!!

Stephen

CPR4000 · **Joined:** Thu Jun 11, 2009 11:07 pm **Posts:** 150

Stephen Hussar wrote:

Where's No 56...anyone know?

It's at Metro East Industries, East St. Louis, Ill., which painted No. 52, waiting its turn for paint.

Walt L.