W.W.&F. Discussion Forum

The Maine Narrow Gauges (Historic & Preserved) => Bridgton & Saco River Railway => Topic started by: Ted Miles on September 07, 2018, 01:29:16 PM

Title: Bridgton & Saco River Box Cars
Post by: Ted Miles on September 07, 2018, 01:29:16 PM
I see in the Annual Fund Drive that a couple of more box cars are going to come to the WW&F Railway Museum. With the #67 mostly restored and the #40 flanger on the property; it seems that the WW&F Railway is going to have quite a bit of B&SR equipment. And don't forget that one of the B&SR tanks is also in Alna.

I would like to hear the numbers of the box cars and what they are going to be used for.

Ted Miles, WW&F Member
Title: Re: Bridgton & Saco River Box Cars
Post by: James Patten on September 07, 2018, 01:40:58 PM
I believe the numbers are 50 and 51, but someone more knowledgeable than me will need to verify.

One boxcar is toast.  It will become donor parts for 67 grab irons, and the trucks (and any good sills) will become the basis for a flatcar to haul a restored tank on.

The other boxcar will probably be restored to like-new condition.

There's no time frame on any of this.  It could happen next year or in 5 years.  We have a lot of things on our plate to take care of first.
Title: Re: Bridgton & Saco River Box Cars
Post by: Mike Fox on September 07, 2018, 02:03:25 PM
One is 50, the other is not 51, but I believe 56, according to my photos I took this spring. Those were the two in the yard that looked like they needed the most help.
Title: Re: Bridgton & Saco River Box Cars
Post by: John Kokas on September 29, 2018, 09:12:24 AM
Personally, I'd like to see more restored boxcars for the following reasons: (1) Freight train makeup for photo charters and other special events; (2) Extra storage space for parts and materials that need a home rather than shop floors or other clutter areas; (3) Eventually eliminates need for storage containers on site.

As far as the B&SR tank, I would rather see a new flatcar body constructed and put under the tank.  Realize that the one boxcar is really in bad shape, but I'd rather save a bonafide historical piece than have a replica.  Not to mention, I believe restoration and preservation is part of our Museum's Charter.
Title: Re: Bridgton & Saco River Box Cars
Post by: Joe Fox on September 30, 2018, 10:38:57 AM
All of the wood is bad on of the cars. So regardless of how you look at it, rather it is built now or later it will have original hardware, but all new wood. Currently we do not need a fourth box car, so the parts not used for the flat/tank car will be saved for future use should we need a fourth box car in the longer term.
Title: Re: Bridgton & Saco River Box Cars
Post by: Thomas Evans on June 26, 2019, 10:15:23 AM
I found this photo on a Drop Box site of Laconia freight cars.
It appears to be the only 2' car there.
It's light-colored.
It's #64.
I'm guessing it's B&SR, but I don't know & don't have any references.
Can anyone identify it positively?
Has anyone seen this photo before?
Could it be an identical sister to our #67?
Here's a link to the site:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/evgwchtr9495b37/AADFM2TnOtSxVZS9njXK60n2a?dl=0&preview=103.jpg

Tom Evans
Title: Re: Bridgton & Saco River Box Cars
Post by: Philip Marshall on June 26, 2019, 10:29:22 AM
That sure looks like B&SR 64. It was built by Laconia in 1905 in the same batch as our 67. The color would have been gray with red lettering.
Title: Re: Bridgton & Saco River Box Cars
Post by: Jeff Schumaker on June 26, 2019, 08:24:30 PM
In the same Dropbox album(?), I found a photo of the 2 ft gauge flatcars for the Boyd & Harvey Co.

Jeff S.
Title: Re: Bridgton & Saco River Box Cars
Post by: Allan Fisher on June 26, 2019, 09:57:52 PM
I just came upon eight B&SR (B&H) equipment copied negatives taken in Bridgton yard in 1940. Included is Boxcar B&SR 67 -note not painted for B&H. I will be sending these to our archives.

other equipment in these images #14, 15, 22, 37 & 67

Also have WW&F 10 as Westfield Plantation #4 taken in 10/48

Allan Fisher
Curator
BAERA Archives
Western Railway Museum


 
Title: Re: Bridgton & Saco River Box Cars
Post by: Steve Smith on July 19, 2019, 09:55:13 PM
Allan, a very belated thank you for these additions to the archives.