B&SR 7

[Joe Fox]

Probably not. As much time and effort that has been put into this project by the dedicated crew of MNG and contracted help, I believe her first runs should be on MNG rails. This will be a huge attraction, and they are all excited to see her return to steam on home rails. However, who knows what the future may hold for joint events, visiting power, etc.

[Ted Miles]

Folks,
         I am glad to see the progress on the B&SR #7; it has been a long time since she was so together.

Withe the Monson #3 off in Phillips; it will be great to have another locomotive running on Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Company rails!

Hopefully, this progress will tell the people in Gray; that the museum is serious about preserving the two-foot gauge past.

Ted Miles, WW&F Member 

[James Patten]

Thursday October 5 on our way back from the Top of Mountain, we stopped at Sheepscot Mills crossing [with permission and an impromptu invitation from the (private) property owner] to peek inside his workshop.  #7's boiler is on the frame, the cab is being rebuilt.  It's a rather sizeable locomotive up close.  It could return to Portland at any time, nothing prevents it from doing so (beyond needing space in the engine house).

[Bill Piche]

So much accomplished so far this winter that I don't know where to begin.

Since my last update concerning the boiler being mounted volunteer and contract work has proceed at a fever pace. Various bits and such have been bolted, welded, and painted that there's almost too much to list, but I'll try anyways.

Cab re-mounted to deck
Tank supports drilled and mounted (the tank is now married to the frame)
Tank coal floor welded in
Water strainers mounted
Throttle assembly installed
Rear boiler braces installed
Reverser quadrant installed and centered
Headlight, Bell, and Generator studs and brackets installed. Bell installed this week
Turret installed
Injectors mounted and piped into steam and water connections
Lubricator mounted and new delivery lines installed
Tank insides sanded for waterproofing
Cab primed
Smokestack mocked up for final assembly (pending installation of gaskets)
Steam delivery pipes placed in and reinforced.
Blast pipe and petticoat installed.
and many more things that I can't remember off the top of my head.

A big thanks to all the volunteers that have and continue to work on the project. There's excitement at the work sessions as the punch list gets smaller and smaller each week. Knock on wood we'll keep pushing to be ready for our inspection date that's fast approaching.

[Mike Fox]

Sounds good Bill. I have been following the progress on FB, and it looks good.

[Pete "Cosmo" Barrington]

Great to see you guys are so far down on the punch list!
Even greater to have enough experience (these days) to recognize and appreciate just how much time/labor all those items entail! 

[Bill Piche]

As many of you who were in Sheepscott for the Easter trains today may have noticed, B&SR was in steam yesterday for the first time since 2003.

Reassembly reached the stage where a fire could be lit and the various accessories could be tested and tweaked. This, of course, included the whistle, but also meant testing things like the dyno, injectors, and the air compressor. We then removed the steam chest covers and blew out 10 years of pooled oil from the cylinders.

After the various bits an pieces were tested and cleaned out, 7 made her first moves under her own power on the little bit of track in and out of Brian's shop. After these were deemed a success the fire was dropped and 7 put away for the evening.

The FRA inspection will be in a few weeks time, which leading up to Brian can clean up the few weeping stays that were discovered and lap in a few not quite perfect valves.

Look for an announcement on 7's first runs and schedule in the coming weeks.

[Skyler Kimball]

Here is the video of the start up, including the whistle show off at the end!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nkv9qq8nM-U

[Jeff Schumaker]

Fantastic!!!

Jeff S.

[Kevin Madore]

This is just awesome!   It absolutely made my Monday morning!   Congrats to the entire MNGRR Team.   This is an incredible accomplishment.   You folks have pushed through a lot of adversity to get to this point.   Looking forward to seeing #7 polishing the rails in Portland once again!

/Kevin

[ALAIN DELASSUS]

Such a moment is always pretty moving.

[Bob Holmes]

Can't wait for #7 to spend some time on the WW&F....

[James Patten]

Can't wait for #7 to spend some time on the WW&F....

There are no current plans regarding this.

[Carl G. Soderstrom]

Well if the Museum gets the Peppersass it could lead the #7 right down to the ROW (and back up.)
If there were track. With rack. I suppose the decision of which rack will hold up progress  ad infinitum.

[Bill Piche]

GOOD NEWS!!!!

After what seemed to be an overly brief inspection of a few hours, the FRA has officially signed off on the boiler and will grant the form 4 as soon as the paperwork is filed.

Today marks the end of an over 10 year road to bring a giant of Maine Two Foot railroading back to live.

Another coat or two of imron, a few coats of clear, and some polishing up and she'll be ready for her official debut next month.

We'll have more information on future running dates as they get announced officially. For now here's a picture from after Brian applied the first layer if imron the other night.

A big thank you goes out to everybody that supported the project with money, expertise, and their time. Without all of them this wouldn't have been possible.