W.W.&F. Discussion Forum
The Maine Narrow Gauges (Historic & Preserved) => Maine Narrow Gauge RR Co. & Museum => Topic started by: Kevin Madore on July 07, 2010, 07:04:22 AM
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Folks,
Is the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum still running steam? I haven't seen any photos of #4 out in quite a while and the museum's website makes no mention of any steam operations. What's the latest up there....anyone know?
Thanks,
/Kevin
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There have been some dispiriting developments in the long house at MNG.
A fire burnt the chassis of #7 and the stay bolts of #4 need some attention. you can look at the MNG Forum for all the gruesome details.
So in light of these happenings, MNG will not run steam this summer. There is a minuscule chance of #7 being operable for this years Polar Express, but that is very unlikely. There is a much better chance that it will run for next years season.
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The fire damage to #7 was mostly limited to the fireman's side of the cab and the water tank.
The tank is a complete loss, as the already thinned sheet metal was burned clean through in several areas. The insurance on the locomotive will cover the price of a completely new tank, and the last that I heard was that MNG was bidding out the construction of said tank.
The upper framework of the cab will probably need to be replaced, but the flooring looks like it is salvageable.
The locomotive frame, trucks, running gear, castings, and anything else I forgot to mention that was at cab floor level or below appeared to have escaped even minor damage.
Luckily, the vast majority of #7's critical parts (boiler, accessories, piping, cab roof, etc) were either off site or stored in a different location when the fire occured. In fact, having swapped #7 into the location where we would normally have #4 stored saved that locomotive from any possibly disasterous damage. As it is, #7 was already taken apart, and will need far less work to get back on schedule than would have been needed otherwise.
Speaking of #4, she has been laid up since late November 2009 with staybolt issues. What can be done to make her operational again is currently being investigated, so stay tuned for updates on that.
What can be said is that there is probably not going to be steam on the MNG this year. However, that doesn't mean that things can change in the near future.
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:o ::) ;)Well at least #7 is still safe and can still be restored instead of heading for the scrap yards.
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Thank god the fire didn't do too much damage to #7. I think if the MNG aren't going to run #8, they should at least put her on display in the museum til' they're ready to put her in service.
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I think if the MNG aren't going to run #8, they should at least put her on display in the museum til' they're ready to put her in service.
This has been discussed in the past, #8 is simply too big to fit in the current museum building.
#4 spent many years in the museum until she was brought back to steam early this decade, but that was the only locomotive that was ever actually inside the museum.
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Aww man.. >:( B&SR #8 is one of my favorites! Couldn't they find somewhere to put her?
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Zak, he means inside the museum building, on display. Tight quarters.
It is still on the property, only out in the enginehouse, or what was left of it before this past weekend.
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Zak, he means inside the museum building, on display. Tight quarters.
It is still on the property, only out in the enginehouse, or what was left of it before this past weekend.
Thats what I meant.... I just wanted to be able to see it when I go there...
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#8 is safely tucked away in the east end of the engine house. Our current focus is the rebuilding of the west end that was damaged by fire. We are well along and should have the roof on by this Saturday. The rebuild is better than what existed but will never be as nice as what is at WW&F. Remember, we are a tenant, not an owner, big difference here. Regardless, our mission, like everyone else is to protect and restore the equipment.
In the mean time, #7's boiler is at Alna getting a major rebuild. Cross our fingers that we can have it all back together a year from now.
So if you are in Portland, especially on a Saturday, stop by and you can see #8 in the engine house.
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Is #8 dismantled right now?
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No!
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Thats great! Now I can see her when I go to MNGRR this year!
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Does the museum plan on puting #8 for display only now or is she still keep in operating condition? ???
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Number 8 has not been in operating condition for several years. it is likely she will be displayed where people can see her rather than being holed up in the back of the engine house. This will also allow our main diesel to be stored inside.
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Oh okay, but will she be displayed in operating condition or is no longer keep in operating condition? Plus which area in the museum will she be displayed at when she is moved out of the engine house. I love #7 & #8 and I would love to see them both run together one day.
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#4 looked and sounded great while hauling the Polar Express this year:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhEdH_kIEOU
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Is MNG going to be running steam for memorial day weekend? I called and they said they were but I'm not quite sure if the woman knew exactly what I meant... ???
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Hi Ricky,
Right now, steam is a no-go at the MNG for Memorial Day.
Maine Boiler will be coming in sometime in the next 2 weeks to weld the 26 staybolts that we removed from the firebox wrapper and backhead. After that, it is a matter of working on some small items in preparation for our hydro day (currently scheduled for mid-June).
If all goes well, we expect to have #4 ready to come out by the 4th of July holiday period.
Stay tuned for future updates.
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If all goes well, we expect to have #4 ready to come out by the 4th of July holiday period.
I rode in her back in October and look forward to seeing her in steam again!
-John
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*UPDATE*
Maine Boiler has completed installing all 26 replacement staybolts on #4.
Work can now move forward on getting her ready for her FRA hydro mid-June.
The next work session for this will be Saturday, June 2. Come on down and lend a hand as there is plenty left to do before we can do the hydro.
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That's good news. Keep us updated.