Museum Gift Shop

[Stewart Rhine]

This just in ...

Radio Free Sheepscot reports that there is a new video for sale in the gift shop.  The production is called "Maine Central, 1974 - 1984" and features 4 chapters shot in many parts of New England.  There is little narration and each scene is described in a guide that comes with the DVD.  The transfer to DVD is adequate but some scenes are a bit muddy.   Most of the video is clear and the audio is good.  The footage was shot in all types of weather.  My favorite scene shows a MEC local rounding the long fill and pulling into the station area at Farmington.  The SR&RL was long gone and the branch was in it's last year of operation.  There are some interesting sequences on the Mountain Division including Crawford Notch.  One set shows the train that delivered Maine Central 2-8-0 501 to North Conway in 1983.  The consolidation was posed for photos at Crawford's and filmed as the train moved through the Gateway and Willey Brook Trestle.   I can't get excited about the 1970s and '80s (doesn't seem that long ago) but I enjoyed the production and learned more about how the MEC operated in it's last few years before Guilford took over.  The DVD sells for $24.95

[Stewart Rhine]

This just in ...

Radio Free Sheepscot reports that the gift shop has a few new items for sale.  One is a Bachmann HO scale 2-8-0 in Western Maryland paint.  The locomotive is nearly new and sells for $85.  Another item is a set of Lionel freight cars, including a box car, gondola, coal hopper and caboose.  The cars are $10 each or $38 for all 4 cars.  Another item is a brakeman's lantern from the Bangor & Aroostook Railroad.  It is a short globe lantern made by Adams and Westlake, marked B.A.R. on the top.  The lantern was made in 1923.  It's in good condition has a clear globe and the longer, insulated bale that is typical of Northern New England railroads.  The lantern lists for $90. 

[Stewart Rhine]

This just in ...

Radio Free Sheepscot reports that the gift shop has two new pocket T shirts.  The T's come in gray and medium blue and feature the classic WW&F RAILWAY logo over the pocket.  They are available in short and long sleeve and come in 4 sizes.  The 90% cotton shirts sell for $16 for short sleeve and $18 for the long sleeve.

[Stewart Rhine]

This just in ...

The museum gift shop now has special B&SR RR prints for sale.  The beautiful prints were created as a fund raising tool for the Return of the Rails project in Bridgton.  The sales are the result of an agreement between the RTR group and the WW&F museum and will benefit both organizations.  The prints, which depict B&SR operations in Spring, Summer and Fall sell for $50 plus tax. 

[Mike Fox]

These are excellent prints. I have all three, with the next one (winter) due out sometime in the future.

[Stewart Rhine]

My favorite is the Fall print which shows a train along Hancock Pond.  Our coach 3 is in the consist, numbered 18 while on the B&SR.

Gift Shop update - The Bangor & Aroostook lantern mentioned in the June 16th post has been sold but there will be other historic lanterns for sale during the Annual Picnic.  Among the items are a D&H bell bottom lantern with a red cast D&H globe,  a B&M tall globe lantern with a clear cast globe and a RUTLAND RR tall globe lantern made by Adams & Westlake.  Stop in for details.

[Stewart Rhine]

The 2011 WW&F calendars are in.  The publication has 13 full page color photos featuring museum motive power, rolling stock and volunteers.  The photographs showcase operations at various times of the year.  Inside the last page are extra photos in 3X5 format.  All images are the work of Stephen Hussar, a professional cameraman whos beautiful photographs are well known to members and friends of the WW&F.  The calendar sells for $15 and the funds help support restoration efforts at the museum.