Volunteers from the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. and Museum and contractors with Maine Locomotive and Machine Works in Alna re-attached Bridgton & Saco River 2-4-4T No. 7’s boiler to its chassis.
The locomotive’s recently rebuilt boiler was reattached Tuesday morning with the help of two large cranes. Steam operations manager Jay Monty tells Trains News Wire that workers will now turn their attention to reassembling the locomotive. Among the major components that need to be put back on the locomotive is the cab, the tender tank, air pumps, a new ash pan, and the boiler jacket.
It is unclear when the locomotive will be fired up for the first time, although Monty says the crew is making progress every day. Crews made an initial hydrostatic test on the boiler in mid-August.
B&SR No. 7 was built by Baldwin in 1913 and operated in Maine until the 1940s when it was purchased by cranberry mogul Ellis Atwood who opened the Edaville Railroad in Massachusetts. The locomotive ran at Edaville until the 1990s when it and dozens of other locomotives and cars came home to Maine to form the core of the museum on the Portland waterfront. No. 7 last ran in the early 2000s.
The fine folks at Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum in Portland deserve all the kudos and credit in getting #7 this far. I’m sure they could use continued support/donations to finish the job.
As such, it really wouldn’t be fair to them and their dedicated volunteers to do the initial steamup of #7 at the WW&F. We’ve enjoyed watching their progress as we pass the work site of the restoration contractor, and welcome continued collaborative efforts (like the Steam in the Snow series of photo charters this past winter.) In short, #7 deserves a proper unveiling in Portland.
(Note, I speak as a regular volunteer at the WW&F; this is not an official statement on the matter from the WW&F museum.)
Please W Cook, I did not mean to disrespect the fine work done on the WW&F. The fact is that no. 7 & no. 8 are very heavy engines for two foot gauge. I wish time distance and health allowed me to help at the WW&F. I only mentioned the weight factor out of concern and did not want to hurt any ones feelings.
Hopefully, #7 will get to break in on the WW&F – it is literally 100 feet away from their main line right now!
G.W. If you don’t know anything about the newly built track of the WW&F you are sadly lacking in your knowledge of the 2′ gage and your statement is totally unwelcome and damaging.to the reputation of the fine work done by many volunteers. The track will hold that engine, same as the B&H track did.
No7 is a very heavy engine for 2 foot gauge. If she runs on the WW&F I hope the track is up to the weight. Am very glad to see the progress on no 7. Like that little engine.