W.W.&F. Discussion Forum

The Maine Narrow Gauges (Historic & Preserved) => Maine Narrow Gauge RR Co. & Museum => Topic started by: Brendan Barry on November 05, 2015, 12:17:26 AM

Title: Monson 3 and 4 in Portland
Post by: Brendan Barry on November 05, 2015, 12:17:26 AM
Tuesday Monson number 3 was delivered to Portland to be used for Polar Express this Christmas and Monson number 4 was placed back in the museum for display. I understand number 3 will head back to the Sandy River in Phillips this summer.

Three arriving and being unloaded.
 
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/IMG_2411.jpg)

(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/IMG_2416.jpg)

(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/IMG_2417.jpg)

(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/IMG_2422.jpg)

(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/IMG_2428.jpg)

(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/IMG_2430.jpg)

Four outside the engine house.

(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/IMG_2433.jpg)

Three and four posed for pictures.

(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/IMG_2449.jpg)

(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/IMG_2452.jpg)

(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/IMG_2455.jpg)

(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/IMG_2462.jpg)

(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/IMG_2466.jpg)

(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/IMG_2472.jpg)

The engines were then switched out and four was trucked across the parking lot to the museum building.

(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/IMG_2480.jpg)

(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/IMG_2484.jpg)

(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/IMG_2488.jpg)

(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/IMG_2490.jpg)

Four just unloaded from the truck at the museum door.

(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s5/bbarry74/IMG_2492.jpg)
Title: Re: Monson 3 and 4 in Portland
Post by: Ira Schreiber on November 05, 2015, 02:27:06 PM
A great photo essay. Thanks.
Title: Re: Monson 3 and 4 in Portland
Post by: Philip Marshall on November 05, 2015, 03:00:43 PM
Great photos, Brendan! It's so nice to see Monson 3 and 4 together again.

It's apparent that Number 4 really is slightly bigger than Number 3, not withstanding Moody's claim that he could never tell them apart except by counting the number of steps on the cab. :)

Title: Re: Monson 3 and 4 in Portland
Post by: Stewart "Start" Rhine on November 05, 2015, 04:24:22 PM
Nice pics B.

#3 looks good with the aluminum lettering and no markers, like it looked when in service on the Monson.
Title: Re: Monson 3 and 4 in Portland
Post by: James Patten on November 05, 2015, 05:37:44 PM
And NO brass bands!
Title: Re: Monson 3 and 4 in Portland
Post by: Philip Marshall on November 05, 2015, 05:42:45 PM
And NO brass bands!

Yes!
Title: Re: Monson 3 and 4 in Portland
Post by: Wayne Laepple on November 05, 2015, 05:46:03 PM
I prefer an orchestra to a brass band anytime......
Title: Re: Monson 3 and 4 in Portland
Post by: Mike Arnold on November 06, 2015, 10:41:25 PM
Is it me but she had brass bands longer then without? I know it's not original but it does take away from the Atwood/Blount Edaville look that saved the locomotives. Something has to be saved from the edaville days of what it was not what it has become. That railroad gave me my love for the two footers. When I worked for F Nelson's brother and niece I use to hear so many stories and they revoled around Edaville. The 3 looks amazing but missing thoes brass bands she just looks odd.
Mike
Title: Re: Monson 3 and 4 in Portland
Post by: Philip Marshall on November 06, 2015, 11:29:00 PM
Is it me but she had brass bands longer then without?

In numerical terms I think you are correct. I wasn't alive then, but from photos I've seen the brass bands show up sometime in the mid-1950s under Nelson Blount. In fact, photos of the move of B&M 2-6-0 No. 1455 to Edaville in 1956 show No. 3 in brass bands in front of the enginehouse, which is pretty definitive.

That makes at least 60 years in brass bands, which is as long as the Monson RR itself was in operation.
Title: Re: Monson 3 and 4 in Portland
Post by: Bernie Perch on November 07, 2015, 07:59:06 AM
I notice that the top of #3's steam dome is missing its top.  Is there any reason for that.  It looks unfinished.

Bernie
Title: Re: Monson 3 and 4 in Portland
Post by: Ed Lecuyer on November 07, 2015, 12:45:09 PM
As far as brass bands go, I prefer the more inclusive term "wind ensemble."

I'm not a member of Maine Narrow Gauge so my opinion doesn't really matter - but I think they made the right call to restore #3 to its Monson appearance. They are, after all, the Maine Narrow Gauge Museum, and not the Edaville Railroad museum (or a Atwood-Blount tribute band.)

I notice that the top of #3's steam dome is missing its top.  Is there any reason for that.  It looks unfinished.

I think I read elsewhere that it is off pending the FRA inspection, then it will be reinstalled.
Title: Re: Monson 3 and 4 in Portland
Post by: Bernie Perch on November 07, 2015, 03:47:09 PM
Ed,

Thanx.  That makes sense and I should have realized that because I have been around for FRA inspections.

Bern
Title: Re: Monson 3 and 4 in Portland
Post by: Tom Casper on November 07, 2015, 07:44:09 PM
Three passed her FRA inspection and is ready to go for their Polar Express days.

Tom C.
Title: Re: Monson 3 and 4 in Portland
Post by: Cliff Olson on November 08, 2015, 09:41:21 AM
I'm with James and Ed on the lack of brass bands on #3.  Also pleased that #4, as well as #3, now has no fake pilot.  The Monson lives!
Cliff Olson
(co-owner, Monson depot)
Title: Re: Monson 3 and 4 in Portland
Post by: Bill Sample on November 09, 2015, 01:03:35 PM
No brass bands and no GIANT NUMBER.  The nice almost head-on shot diminshed those effects on #4.