Photo taken last year of Maine Central 4-6-2 470, rusting away at Waterville, Maine. This engine pulled the last official MEC passenger trip in 1954, well documented in Trains magazine at the time. It has seen at least a couple attempts at cosmetic restoration, which don't last long as an unsheltered display.

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=2003042512440324749.jpg&bydate%3A7
ryarger@rypn.org

The loco is in dreadful shape. The last time someone painted it, black spray graffiti marred the beautiful effort within two weeks. She has been stripped of anything beautifully reminiscent of steam operations, including gauges. What hasn't been welded in place has been vigorously bent out of shape. Her journals are stuffed with ballast stone, the tender has numerous hold rusted through the sides. The tank is open, and children or vagrants climb inside. Could it be restored to operation? I guess with enough money, you can rebuild anything. I am told OC's GTW 4-8-4 was in similar shape before rebuilding, but I don't know that as a fact.
The city of Waterville could sponsor a railroad museum built around the loco, a closed building with regular hours and a locked front door. It would be a great home to all manner of garaged railroadiana, and any money spent in further cosmetic restoration would not be in vain. For what it's worth, not only the loco is neglected. The park it resides in is a mess. Even the flag poles have been bent out of shape by vandals.


glueck@maine.edu

Aren't they working on something concerning this locomotive?

irondave@bellsouth.net

Now that is one pretty engine. I would love to see her cleaned up, perhaps in the hands of Steamtown or someone else who could care for her properly.

Just keep her away from Strasburg, Linn would want to put a high headlight and a belpaire on her. (Just kidding Linn, everyone knows I love the Strasburg and their crew to death).


Wowak.Railfan.Net
mrwowak@yahoo.com

> Aren't they working on something concerning
> this locomotive?

The 470 Club generally meets in the southern part of the state. Maine is one big state!
The 470 Club has been very gracious in painting the loco, but the engine is the property of the City of Waterville. For the record, Waterville is about 3 hours drive from Portland, and 4 hours from Kittery.
The 470 Club does own a MEC Consolidation, ex-Steamtown, at the Conway Scenic Railway, in North Conway, New Hampshire. This is the locomotive that will run next. Nobody can say the 470 Club hasn't done their part in protecting the big Pacific. It's just that vandals can travel so much more easily and gain access when decent people are online, contributing to RyPN!.

glueck@maine.edu