Well, those who could not attend todays seminar asked for a summary. I am no Walter Winchcar, but I will try.
The program started by Richard Glueck (sounds like Glick), president of the organization, giving the audience an introduction to the organization, history of the locomotive, rough outline of the work, and a timeline. 10 years to restore it. He had to apologize about the presentation, because it was more geared toward businesses, looking for their support. Still decent none the less.
The Brian Hebert spoke. He is the treasurer, and like any treasurer, talked about money. Showed a graph of how the donations have come in so far.
Next. Peter Violette. I forget his title but he spoke about more of the history.
Finally Leverett Fernald spoke. Nuts and bolts time. He talked of the time it will take to move and what they expect to find. They actually plan to haul this locomotive whole (minus tender) by truck from Waterville to Ellsworth. The initial goal is to have enough funds in the first fund drive to purchase and move the locomotive. He said the majority of the locomotive was in decent shape, inside the firebox being real solid, but most of the external part of the stays had corroded and failed.
Then came the question and answer question. And one of the questions that was asked went something like this. "If the locomotive was donated to the City of Waterville, why are they selling it to make a profit?", or something to that effect. The answers the gave struck me as ok, but Peter Violettes answer has me puzzled as to the thinking. He said that the city was charging them so that the City of Waterville knew they meant business, and this was a good faith effort and that it would just not wind up scrap metal or unfinished restoration some place. This is what puzzles me. If the city wanted it restored, why not save NESCo the money and just sell it to them for $1. Answer is because that is not what was in the proposal. And that would have been the proper answer in my book to the question. The answer should have been something like "We are paying $25,000 to keep this locomotive in Maine, to preserve and restore this historic part of Maine's steaming past."
Other questions were asked, and then the inevitable. "What will be done to keep the soot and smoke to a minimum", or something to that affect. I heard the word NIMBY whispered, then Richard answered. The smoke is EPA approved. Less toxins in that than some other things. Leverett piped in that a good fireman does not produce smoke. He related to his experience on the B&ML with the Swedish locomotive and the type of Pochohantis coal they burned in it, with little smoke. He said a smokey steam locomotive was not an efficient running locomotive.
Overall was a decent presentation, and with the cooperation of several organizations already, will be a site to see.
