Looks like it's a closed group on Facebook, I haven't been able to see the photos even when going there from my FB account.

Join up, I'm pretty quick about approving people after they ask to join.

Another message from Matt Skehan, this was sent out to anyone that sent a proposals,

"If you're receiving this message - we're reviewing your proposal for the 470 Steam Engine. The City of Waterville takes this matter very seriously. Over the last few weeks we've met and decided to form a committe that will include local leaders and train "experts". We will probably be looking into each of your organizations. Please be patient with us. This process could take some time.."

Does anyone have any exact dates for when she was taken from her original display in front of the station, when she was put on her current display, or when her boiler jacket was removed?

Hi 470 man

Maybe the 470 railroad club , mite have information , that you are looking for ? Pat.

http://www.onlinesentinel.com/news/old- ... 11-10.html
Just to quote the article;

I have some thoughts on the Ohio and Pennsylvania proposal, but New Hampshire? That was a suprise considering I only know of a stark few groups in the Granite State.

Don't put a lot of stock in that article. There are quite a few inaccuracies in it.

Agree with Brettcog. It's an update seen through the eyes of the reporter assigned to the City Council beat.
The first time the locomotive was handed over to a group, ...well you know that story. If anything, I'd say the City Council wants to make a prudent and well researched decision. The over riding consideration is they do not want the 470 destroyed. In that respect, I'd say this is good news.

I'd like to know who in PA is bidding on it. Be pretty cool to see it down here, save me the 9 hr drive to visit!

Wouldn't we all, Preston ;-)

I just really hope the city doesn't decide to pull the "We won't donate it to a group that's not in central Maine" line. Nothing will send that engine to the scrappers faster.

The locomotive is going to go to a new custodian, but where that custodian is located is yet to be determined. My thinking tells me a primary choice will be made and others will stand at the ready to take over if needed. It's actually a shame that two of the groups can't merge successfully into a single unit with will and monetary power.
There is rail in Maine on which to run the Pacific at a speed that does her justice.
My concern is that interested parties are not prepared to hear the worst, once she's opened. It may be that 470 is a badly damaged static exhibit at best, and if she is in another state, there's no reason to warrant further investment. In Maine, she can still be the focal point of a railroad museum.

I woudn't assume a geographic necessity for value, Richard. Mainers had decades to do something good with her and didn't.....so someplace else might well be a Very Good Thing and give her better chances. We might see her painted red with a smiley face, for example (dodging bullets).

She's a good size for lightweight but decently long trains, much as 750 and 290 were in the southeast. I can think of many poteltial places that would be technically good, if generic operating steam is not as important as specific operating steam, which opens up the entire standard gage tourist railroad industry as potential purchasers. many museums also want something generic to use while preserving the display artifacts in their collections.

Static display uses are pretty broad as well. I'd not really want to see her turned into a sign for a restaurant, however.......

It will be interesting to see what develops.

dave

Technically, that is true. But this is the first time in 58 years that the city is willing to part with the locomotive and let a separate entity take custody in order to do what is required. I doubt very much the Maine Central RR would have donated her to the city if they thought there was ANY chance the city would sell or give her away to someone out of state.

In my mind the City Council's first and only inclination should be to keep her in Maine. If they don't like the proposal they received from the group in Maine, they should approach Boothbay, Cole's, Owl's Head, The Maine Eastern, The Maine State Museum in Augusta, etc. Keeping the engine local should be job #1.

I mean, it's not as though Maine is so completely overrun with pieces of steam-powered history, that they can summarily discard them any way they see fit. That would not be right, or fair to the people of Maine.

Stephen

OK, Stephen, I'll bite: where's the evidence any of the organizations you mention actually responded to the city's offer for proposals, or actively pursued it before the city even asked?

It took almost 2 years from the idea being internally discussed to a decision being made for New Hope Valley to gain ownership of Cliffside 110 to bring her back home for a responsible restoration and interpretation plan - I'll share the rationale documented with you done the line. Stone Mountain didn't offer - we asked for it and backed up our request. Show me a similar effort from any group with adequate resources and organizational will to back up their proposal in Maine, and I'll jump on the home state bandwagon.....otherwise, let the most capable condidate from wherever prevail and good luck to them.

I'm convinced we get trapped in provincial dogma to the detriment of the larger picture sometimes. We need to learn to take a realistic perspective and support whatever action is best in the long run for the good of the mission of preservation, if it's a preservation issue under consideration, be it in our own back yard or elsewhere.

dave