April 1, 2024 - The WW&F Railway Museum, fresh off its announcement that it is importing two ballast hoppers from South Africa, disclosed today that a locomotive also will be making the journey to Alna, Maine. South African Class NG G13 2-6-2+2-6-2 “Garratt” locomotive NG79 has been purchased, and will be transported to the museum shops at Sheepscot for a full operational rebuild.
Railway Superintendent and CMO Jason Lamontagne exclaimed: “This is an opportunity to boldly showcase the worldwide pinnacle of two foot railway design here in the United States. A Garratt will easily climb our 4% mountain grade, allowing further expansion of our passenger and freight services.” Lamontagne added, “Plus, we really don’t have any stuff to do, so what’s yet another locomotive restoration project.”
The estate of the late actress Charlotte Rae, who frequently vacationed in Maine and was familiar with African railways due to her time in the Peace Corps, has agreed to finance the purchase, shipping, and restoration of the 61-ton locomotive. To celebrate Rae’s life and most beloved character from the series “The Facts of Life”, NG79 will be named “Mrs. Garrett”.
“1979 was the year
The Facts of Life premiered on NBC and launched Mrs. Rae to super-stardom; so it is appropriate that NG79 be restored in her honor”, explained four representatives from Rae’s estate: Blair Warner, Tootie Ramsey, Natalie Green, and Jo Polniaczek during a joint press conference. Three of the representatives then began complaining about school and boys, while Tootie roller-skated away.
Locomotive NG79 was presumed scrapped; however, the locomotive had been simply placed into storage. Years of neglect have taken its toll on Mrs. Garrett, and much restoration work will be required. “You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and then you have to improvise”, explained Lamontagne, in a non-rhythmic pattern not reflecting any sense of melodic content.
To supplement the restoration of
Mrs. Garrett, WW&F fundraising guru Ed Lecuyer has set up a social media fundraising effort. To learn more and to contribute to “The Tracks of Life”, visit
www.wwfry.org/africa
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