Maine Central 470
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Specifications are following a Class C-3 Modification. 1933 |
Maine Central 470 is a 4-6-2 "Pacific" type steam locomotive built by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) in May 1924 for the Maine Central Railroad (MEC). The locomotive is currently owned by the New England Steam Corporation. It is currently located at Washington Junction in Hancock, Maine where it is undergoing restoration to operating condition.
History[]
No. 470 was built in May 1924 by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) in Schenectady, New York, designated as builder's number 65555. Upon purchase, Maine Central Railroad (MEC) numbered the engine 470. Delivery was expected during the summer of 1924.[1]
The locomotive was purchased exclusively for a thriving passenger market serving stops between Boston, Massachusetts and Bangor, Maine. Ridership of the era was creating additional demand for capacity and speed, and Maine Central continued upsizing to larger and more powerful engines such as ALCO's 4-6-2s.[2]
ALCO vigorously promoted their popular 4-6-2s to the railroads, especially in the passenger-dense east coast.[3] It was purchased for $62,296.90 (the equivalent of ±$839,000 in present-day U.S. dollars).
During its 30 years of service, No. 470 pulled named passenger trains including The Gull, the Bar Harbor Express, and the Kennebec Limited.[4]
The engine was the last steam locomotive to be operated by Maine Central Railroad, and its final run on Sunday, June 13, 1954 was nationally publicized and attracted widespread spectators along its entire route of travel.[5] Passenger service had been in steady decline, and Maine Central discontinued all passenger service in Maine only six years later.[6]
After its final run, Engine No. 470 was transferred to the Railroad's Maintenance Shops in Waterville where it was drained, winterized and towed to a display plinth near the public railroad station. On October 28, 1962, in celebrating Maine Central Railroad's centennial anniversary, the locomotive was officially presented as a gift to the City of Waterville.[7]
Deterioration[]
Following the razing of MEC Train Station and reconfiguration of the nearby roadway, the locomotive was moved to a new display location [Map] on December 14, 1970. This new roadside location provided open recreational access to the locomotive, and it became subject to vandalism and pilferage.
During its years on display, the locomotive has received minor cosmetic restoration as well as rudimentary asbestos abatement.[8]
Sale and restoration[]
In 2012, recognizing the deteriorating condition and subsequent hazard to the public, the City of Waterville requested bids for the sale or restoration of the locomotive.[9] Of the six bids that were received, only one bidder planned to keep the locomotive in Maine.[7]
On December 3, 2013, the City Council of Waterville voted in favor of selling the locomotive to Maine-based non-profit New England Steam Corporation.[10]
New England Steam entered a delayed purchase and sale agreement with the city, vowing not to preemptively disturb the locomotive until it had successfully raised both the purchase price and the anticipated moving costs. The locomotive was purchased on November 5, 2015.
In 2016, New England Steam relocated the locomotive to Washington Junction in Hancock, Maine. In cooperation with Downeast Scenic Railroad, they plan to commence a complete restoration, returning MEC No. 470 to service as part of a Maine Heritage railway. The restoration is now underway, volunteers hope to have the locomotive finished for its 100th anniversary in 2024 or 2026.
References[]
- ^ Central Maine Magazine. 1 (4). Missing or empty
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(help)[full citation needed] - ^ ALCO (Bulletin No. 1016). November 1913. Missing or empty
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(help)[full citation needed] - ^ Leonard, Dr. Richard. "ALCO Pacifics 1913". Rail Archive.
- ^ "About Maine Central #470". New England Steam Corporation.
- ^ "Steam locomotive that made last run 60 years ago to run again". Bangor Daily News. June 17, 2014.
- ^ White, Jonathan N. (2001). "A History of the Maine Central Railroad".
- ^ a b Calder, Amy (November 10, 2012). "Six bids to restore Old 470 locomotive to be considered by Waterville City Council". CentralMaine.com.
- ^ Bangor Daily News (Somerset Edition). June 14, 1984. p. 17. Missing or empty
|title=
(help)[full citation needed] - ^ Calder, Amy (September 24, 2012). "Waterville officials hope someone can either buy or restore Old 470 steam locomotive". CentralMaine.com.
- ^ Gluckman, Nell (December 7, 2013). "Waterville council approves sale of 1924 locomotive for restoration, relocation to Ellsworth". Bangor Daily News.
External links[]
- Buildings and structures in Waterville, Maine
- Preserved steam locomotives of the United States
- Maine Central Railroad locomotives
- Standard gauge locomotives of the United States
- 4-6-2 locomotives
- Individual locomotives of the United States
- ALCO locomotives
- Railway locomotives introduced in 1924
- Transportation buildings and structures in Kennebec County, Maine
- Preserved steam locomotives of Maine