Our Historic Engines Need Help! Photos by Tim Zimont and Mark Spremulli In 2004, the MNGRR's Steam Program fell under the jurisdiction of the Federal Railroad Administration. This means all four of our steam locomotives now have to go through a thorough inspection. FRA mandated upgrades must then be completed before a locomotive is allowed to run. At the start of 2004, the MNG used its available funds to put Monson Railroad engine #4 through the FRA process. To this day, number 4 is our only available locomotive. The museum has since set aside funds to put Bridgton and Harrison engine #7 through the same process. Since #7 is much bigger than #4, the cost for rehabilitating engine 7 exceeds what the railroad can currently afford. We estimate it will cost between $25,000 and $30,000 to put #7 back on track. We will not start the restoration work until we have the sufficient funds to complete the project. We need your help! A Maine native, #7 is a 1913 Baldwin built for the Bridgton and Saco River Railroad. Weighing in at 33.5 tons, #7 is a 2-4-4RT type locomotive that hauled passengers and freight in New England for nearly 100 years! After her career in Maine, in 1947, she went to the Edaville Railroad in South Carver Massachusetts as founder Ellis D. Atwood's first engine! She made her return to Maine in 2002. She saw occasional service at the MNG in 2002 and 2003, but has not turned a wheel under steam since. Please consider a tax-deductible donation to put this engine back into service! Checks should be made out to the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad. Most importantly, be sure to include a note indicating that the check is for the "Engine 7 Fund." You can also click the donate link on the left, and during the payment process you may specify "Engine 7 Fund" in the memo field.
