WW&F Locomotive Headlight For Sale in Uncle Henry's

[Glenn Byron]

Just a blurp about this.  I don't have the issue in front of me, but I saw an ad in last week's U/H that read something like this:  Narrow Gauge Locomotive Headlight from WW&F #6------.  The seller was from Coopers Mills.  Does anyone know about this item and the history of #6?

[James Patten]

This seller in Coopers Mills is likely someone we've encountered before.  We've looked at this before, and determined his claims were unverifiable.  Purchase at your own risk!

[Glenn Byron]

OK, now I have the ad in front of me.  Had to buy the print edition as it does not show up on line.  As I read it, he has headlight(s) whistle, etc, All kinds of stuff.  The issue is Volume 42 Issue 25 purple cover dated June 23rd thru June 29th, 2011.  Section is "Antiques" P. 46, 2nd column, lower.  I'll not publish the phone number, especially after reading the comment above.

[Allan Fisher]

The fellow who used to own  "No 6's headlight" was one of our early members by the name of Brann. He had a car dealership on Route 17 in Washington. He may have died ; the guy who sold him this item lived in the old Post Office building in Coopers Mills. He may be trying to sell it for the family. The headlight is mounted on a block of wood and is in beautiful condition. It is an oil headlight and may have been a rear headlight for a standard Gauge locomotive. Ten years ago, I was offered this item by a Grange Member friend, a Ken Brann for $1500, and he showed me other items he owned from the two footers - non of which was very interesting or unique.

I checked the headlight out on every picture that was every taken of a Maine two foot engine, and the only resemblance was to Monson #1 or # 2 headlight.

The "dubber" who lived in Coopers Mills claimed that the big house up the river from his house had original lights from a WW&F Coach. He also claimed to have oil lights from WW&F cars. I was never able to verify any of this. He claimed to have owned the two boxcars that were left on a siding above the Coppers Mills station, but they had been burned and the Sandy River boys got all the hardware.

I would definitely follow up on the fellow from Coopers Mills to show you what he has. But don't buy unless you can verify their origin. His name was Clinton (Clayton) Whitehorse or a similar name.He made his living gathering antique items by somewhat questionable methods and selling them on the cheap. to the wealthier people he know, like Mr. Brann.

[Mike Fox]

Is this the guy on Route 17 Allan? I think he has a yard full of "stuff".

[Allan Fisher]

No - that is Elmer's Barn. Anyone who has not visited Elmer's Barn will never fully understand Maine.

The guy who has the junk yard across the street from Elmer's is also not the guy I am talking about.

The guy I'm talking about swears to this day that you can see No 6's tender poke up from the swamp in Whitefield occasionally and the  whole engine is there in the swamp.

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

Hi Allan,

     You're spot on about Elmer's.  It's an amazing place, you need a couple hours just to go through all the rooms and stuff.  I think he has a little bit of everything made before WW II.  BTW - I was in there back in the Spring and a film crew was on location shooting a piece for the Discovery Channel.  Elmer's daughter said that the show would air towards the end of October.  Anyone who watches the DC can advise on an air date.  The program will feature locations in Maine.

Stewart

[Matthew Gustafson]

Wait is that true that #6's remains are still in the swamp it wreaked in? 

[Ed Lecuyer]

No.

#6 was scrapped in Wiscasset. It was damaged in the roundhouse fire that claimed #7 as well. Both were scrapped (along with #2, #3, and #4) as the yard was junked. #5 was dismantled in 1912 (following a burnt crown sheet accident) but the boiler was reused as a low-pressure boiler for the Wiscasset shop; the boiler scrapped when the yard was junked. #8 was scrapped at its wreck site, later. #9 went to CT, then back home to the WW&F.)

The boiler for WW&F #1 was re-used as a culvert just north of Whitefield. I imagine that it's still there.