May 19, 2018 The Return of Steamfest and B&SR 7

[Bill Piche]

Join us for Steam Fest as we welcome Bridgton and Saco River Steam Locomotive #7 back into service!  The locomotive has been undergoing restoration since 2007 and the museum will welcome her return with Steam Fest. Both Bridgton and Saco River #7 and Monson #3 will be operating for the event. Trains will operate approximately every thirty minutes throughout the day. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to see two historic locomotives in action!

The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum will hold a Steam Fest event on Saturday, May 19th, 2018 to welcome back into service Bridgton and Saco River Steam Locomotive #7. Built in 1913 by Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the locomotive has been undergoing restoration since 2007. “We are truly excited to have #7 back in service. The full restoration of this heritage steam locomotive speaks volumes to the dedication and commitment of the volunteers, staff, and contractors who worked tirelessly over a decade for this moment,” said Executive Director, Donnell Carroll. The restoration was made possible thanks to the efforts of many volunteers, contractors, individual donors, and several grantors including the Amherst Railway Society, the Davis Family Foundation, the Maine New Century Community Fund, the Mass Bay Railway Enthusiast’s H. Albert Webb Award, the Maine New Century Community Fund and the Tom E. Dailey Foundation.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1168272833315604/?notif_t=plan_user_invited&notif_id=1524695286198664

[Roger Cole]

This is great news.  I assume that this will be taking place along Casco Bay.  The last I heard was that the MNGR&Museum had to vacate their trackage in Portland by the end of 2017.  Were they able to negotiate an extension?  Is the move to Gray still the plan?

[Mike Fox]

The trackage is a seperate deal with the state, which I think is good until about 2025.

What they have to vacate is the former Portland Company Complex, part of which houses their museum. The property has been sold, but the new owners/developers have allowed them to stay so far, extending their lease. It is great for both the MNGRR and the City of Portland for them to continue, because they have been a fixture on the waterfront for 25 years this year.

[Kevin Madore]

Drat!  I am bummed that I'm going to miss the first Steamfest in 15 years!!   Unfortunately there are no fewer than 4 steam charters scheduled all around the US that weekend and I am committed to one of them.   Hopefully #7 will be running some additional times this summer.   I am really looking forward to seeing her in steam once again!

/Kevin Madore

[Mike Fox]

https://www.newscentermaine.com/mobile/video/news/local/restored-steam-train-back-on-one-of-maines-smaller-railways/97-8134260

[Bill Piche]

https://www.newscentermaine.com/mobile/video/news/local/restored-steam-train-back-on-one-of-maines-smaller-railways/97-8134260

That's my nephew Ben. If you want a window into what I was like at that age, check in with him the next time you see him with my mom or my brother.

[Bill Piche]

A few videos have started to surface on the youtubes from Saturday.

Here's one from Hansel Gordon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUZ0QAOk5Rk

One from an account called "NorfKhazad":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJyIADihTtg

A video of clips from Mark Spremulli:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1L0xPmzgoc

A "musical" video with pics and clips from an account "726Berkshire"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5ZXcOSUim4

[Roger Cole]

While browsing through some family slides, I came across a photo of #3 at Edaville in 1977 (it looked different back then).