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Trains News Wire EXCLUSIVE: Nonprofit outlines plan to restore Maine Central No. 470
@ JEFF QUADLAND,
Please post your photos if you can. (if you already have, please provide the link)
I spent a couple of snowy winter days in Waterville around 1984 and took a lot of B&W shots of the railroad bridges, yards, those beautiful paper mills, (barely running at the time) the station, and of course thereby by extension #470.
I remember there were some older EMD GPs at work among the snowflakes bearing the Guilford mark. If anyone knows what equipment I may have been watching I’d really like to know.
I lost most of those pictures a number of years back in a fire, I have just a couple shots of one of the riverside factories and the railroad bridges that served it, saved by my feeble attempt at properly cataloging all the 35mm film I exposed back in the day.
But back to the point; good luck and much thanks to the restoration team. I hope it all works out for the best. 
Wasn’t there in New England the 470 Railroad Club years ago based around this locomotive?
Wasn’t there in New England the 470 Railroad Club years ago based around this locomotive?
Wasn’t there in New England the 470 Railroad Club years ago based around this locomotive?
Wasn’t there in New England the 470 Railroad Club years ago based around this locomotive?
I was there in 1962 when MEC President E. Spencer Miller (with Miss Maine) presented the locomotive to the City of Waterville. #470 was in a huge gift box (the box had sides but no top, but that couldn’t be seen until the front of the box was lowered, showing the locomotive). I have color pictures. It would be absolutely fantastic to see #470 running again!
Somewhere along it’s displayed timeline, the engine was located in front of the passenger station for many years; I remember climbing on it in the early 1960’s! Best of success to the New England Steam group!!!
Henry, there is a group called the 470 Railroad Club that was formed by people who road the final run in 1954. They are still around today. You can find more about them at http://www.470rrclub.org/. Thanks for reading!
I made many trips on the “Gull” , going from NYG to Sydney, NS, and return, via BOS and BON. The “Gull” portion of the thru-ticket (+/- six feet long, for Pullman accomodations!) was at night: B&M, MEC, CPR, with breakfast at the magnificent CPR station, off-train, in McAdam, NB. The McAdam station still exists and should be preserved! The customs officers did not awaken us mid-journey. DHS, take note! The CNR portion, Saint John, NB to Truro, NS was daylight, and CNR, overnight, to Sydney. Dunno if I was hauled by the 470, but I will send them a modest donation, within my means.
Clifford, I tried a test message to myself at gquadland@facebook.com and it didn’t work. So, send me a message at gquadland@execulink.com I know that will work.
Clifford, send me an email at gquadland@facebook.com and I’ll send you the pics.
I have no idea if this was the Maine Central locomotive that passed near the East Poland post office about a mile from our house. I was pre-school and remember my mom taking me to the crossing in time to watch the Post Master put the mail bag on the arm and wait for the train to arrive. It was exciting and scary to see the locomotive approach with steam and smoke bellowing out and the whistle sometimes seemed friendly and other times seemed to shout danger; there is a living breathing monster approaching. The smile and wave from the engineer had a calming effect and allowed me to watch for the mail car to see if the arm would snag the mail bag and then watch a man throw the arriving mail to the ground to be picked up by the post master. The climax was always the caboose with the Maine Central Logo on the side. Today, locomotive steam whistles bring nothing but smiles and a remembrance of a happy childhood…plus urgency in trying to determine where it is coming from to once again race to a crossing, bridge, or field to watch in awe.
Best wishes for success to the New England Steam Corp. Both railroads in Maine would be an excellent venue for the Pacific to run on. Let us all hope that you have more success in the timely restoration of the locomotive than Steamtown has with the B&M 3713. Wouldn’t it be amazing to have them both running?
Why does Waterville want $25000 for this old loco. I doubt they paid anything to speak of in the first place and little since. Here you have a volunteer group willing to take on the massive task of restoring it and finding the cash. Eventually it will be a great attraction for the state of Maine and New England. Come on Waterville, at least give these guys a head start and sell it to them for the proverbial one Dollar.