Author Topic: Maine Headlight  (Read 11256 times)

o anderson

  • Guest
Maine Headlight
« on: September 26, 2008, 10:09:59 PM »
Probably from a standard gauge steam locomotive, but thought I would mention it here anyway....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290263136654


Pete "Cosmo" Barrington

  • Museum Member
  • Engineer
  • ****
  • Posts: 645
    • View Profile
Re: Maine Headlight
« Reply #1 on: September 27, 2008, 01:45:33 AM »
 :o
Wait a minute!
That said "RR museum in ALNA Maine! is there ANNOTHER museum up there that I/we don't know about?
(And the bell next to the headlight looks pretty sweet also!)  ;)

Ken Fleming

  • Museum Member
  • Fireman
  • ****
  • Posts: 379
    • View Profile
Re: Maine Headlight
« Reply #2 on: September 27, 2008, 01:06:03 PM »
Same seller has the bell in that picture for sale. Also "Located at railroad museum in Alna, Maine".  Seller says he is in Nobleboro, ME.

Ed Lecuyer

  • Administrator
  • Superintendent
  • *****
  • Posts: 4,598
    • View Profile
    • wwfry.org
Re: Maine Headlight
« Reply #3 on: September 27, 2008, 01:50:37 PM »
While I do not know the specifics of this sale, I do know that it is museum policy to take donated items that are not specific to the 2' gauge lines and sell them (usually on ebay) to help fund the museum. This is also how the gift shop is stocked with misc. railroad books, etc. It's a great way to take care of the needs of the museum - especially since we have a specific, narrow focus.

The photos on ebay were certainly taken at Sheepscot. I think I saw the bell and headlight when I was up there last Saturday.

-Ed Lecuyer
Ed Lecuyer
Moderator, WW&F Forum

Pete "Cosmo" Barrington

  • Museum Member
  • Engineer
  • ****
  • Posts: 645
    • View Profile
Re: Maine Headlight
« Reply #4 on: September 27, 2008, 02:01:33 PM »
Aaahhh.... wondered if it was something like that.  ;) Wish I could afford to make a bid!

Stewart "Start" Rhine

  • Museum Member
  • Superintendent
  • ********
  • Posts: 3,032
    • View Profile
Re: Maine Headlight
« Reply #5 on: September 27, 2008, 02:18:31 PM »
From time to time, the Archives Committee and gift shop personnel review donated items for sales like this.  Sometimes the museum makes a purchace of a group of items to get one or two artifacts.  We then sell the rest of the items that are not related to Maine two-foot or New England railroads.    As Ed said, the funds help the museum restore the railroad.  They also put funds back into the Archive Committee so we can get more two-foot artifacts.

James Patten

  • Administrator
  • Superintendent
  • *****
  • Posts: 4,368
  • Loco for 6
    • View Profile
Re: Maine Headlight
« Reply #6 on: September 27, 2008, 04:41:27 PM »
That said "RR museum in ALNA Maine! is there ANNOTHER museum up there that I/we don't know about?

Yes, that would be the Alna Subway Museum, on the other end of town.  Their underground, you see, so even fewer people know about them  ;) ;D

o anderson

  • Guest
Re: Maine Headlight
« Reply #7 on: September 27, 2008, 08:24:48 PM »
Actually I noticed the "Alna" part after posting my message about it.  I have no objections to this, and I hear it is from a Maine Central standard gauge locomotive.  I know that the SR&RL had an overlap with Maine Central ownership... would this headlight been identical to those used in the Phillips shops for electrifying the locomotives?  Just a thought...
O. Anderson 

Pete "Cosmo" Barrington

  • Museum Member
  • Engineer
  • ****
  • Posts: 645
    • View Profile
Re: Maine Headlight
« Reply #8 on: September 28, 2008, 10:38:40 AM »
That said "RR museum in ALNA Maine! is there ANNOTHER museum up there that I/we don't know about?

Yes, that would be the Alna Subway Museum, on the other end of town.  Their underground, you see, so even fewer people know about them  ;) ;D

AHEM!

Roger that... Over!

Stewart "Start" Rhine

  • Museum Member
  • Superintendent
  • ********
  • Posts: 3,032
    • View Profile
Re: Maine Headlight
« Reply #9 on: September 28, 2008, 01:13:02 PM »
The SR&RL had many improvements under Maine Central control.  Newer style headlights were a part of that plan.  For some locomotives the MEC type headlight was installed when the engine got electric lighting.  Those were the kind that had the engines number in a lighted panel above the front lense.  The engines number was also displayed on side panels.   Our engine 9 has this type of headlight. 

The other MEC type used on the SR&RL was the more traditional "trashcan" stlye light with just side panels to display the locomotives number.  The headlight that's for sale is the type that switch engines used for reverse moves.  The light was located on the back edge of the cab roof or on the back of the tender. These lights often did not have side panels for the engines number.  Some snow plows had the type as well.
« Last Edit: September 28, 2008, 01:18:20 PM by Stewart Rhine »