Maine Central 470
Maine Central 470 on static display in Waterville, Maine, in September 2013
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderAmerican Locomotive Company, Schenectady
Serial number65555
Build dateMay 1924
Rebuild date1933
2012–ongoing (restoration)
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte4-6-2
 • UIC2′C1′
Gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Leading dia.33 in (0.838 m)
Driver dia.73 in (1.854 m)
Trailing dia.46 in (1.168 m)
Length75 ft 0 in (22.86 m)
Height14 ft 7+1⁄2 in (4.46 m)
Loco weight280,600 lb (127.3 tonnes)
Tender weight190,800 lb (86.5 tonnes)
Total weight471,400 lb (213.8 tonnes)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity26,000 lb (12 tonnes)
Water cap.9,200 US gal (35,000 L; 7,700 imp gal)
Firebox:​
 • Grate area56.5 sq ft (5.25 m2)
Boiler pressure195 lbf/in2 (1.34 MPa)
Heating surface3,033 sq ft (281.8 m2) ​
 • Tubes and flues2,664.8 sq ft (247.57 m2)
 • Firebox311.7 sq ft (28.96 m2)
Superheater:
​
 • Heating area636 sq ft (59.1 m2)
CylindersTwo
Cylinder size24 in × 28 in (610 mm × 711 mm)
Valve gearBaker
Performance figures
Tractive effort47,700 lbf (212.18 kN)(With Booster)
Career
OperatorsMaine Central Railroad
ClassC-3
Number in class5th of 5
NicknamesOld 470
LocaleMaine
DeliveredMay 1924
Last runJune 13, 1954
RetiredJune 17, 1954
PreservedOctober 28, 1962
Current ownerNew England Steam Corporation
DispositionUndergoing restoration to operating condition
Specifications are following a Class C-3 Modification. 1933

Maine Central 470 is a 4-6-2 "Pacific" type steam locomotive built by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) in May 1924 for the Maine Central Railroad (MEC). Currently owned by the New England Steam Corporation, it is being restored to operating condition at Washington Junction in Hancock, Maine.

History

Revenue service and retirement

In the early 1920s, passenger traffic was rising on the Maine Central Railroad (MEC), particularly for stops between Boston, Massachusetts, and Bangor, Maine, and so the railroad was buying larger and more powerful engines to boost capacity and speed.[1] Among them was the American Locomotive Company's popular 4-6-2s, which ALCO vigorously promoted to the railroads, especially in the passenger-dense East Coast.[2]

In May 1924, ALCO's plant in Schenectady, New York, produced the locomotive designated as builder's number 65555.[3] MEC bought the locomotive for $62,296.90 (the equivalent of ±$839,000 in present-day U.S. dollars) and numbered it 470. Delivery was expected during the summer of 1924.[4]

During its 30 years of service, No. 470 pulled named passenger trains including The Gull, the Bar Harbor Express, and the Kennebec Limited.[5]

The engine was the last steam locomotive to be operated by Maine Central Railroad. Its final run on Sunday, June 13, 1954, was nationally publicized and attracted widespread spectators along the route.[6] Passenger service had been in steady decline, and Maine Central discontinued all passenger service in Maine six years later.[7][3]

After its final run, Engine No. 470 was transferred to the Railroad's Maintenance Shops in Waterville where it was drained, winterized and towed to a display plinth near the public railroad station on June 17, 1954.[3] On October 28, 1962, in celebrating Maine Central Railroad's centennial anniversary, the locomotive was presented as a gift to the City of Waterville.[8][3]

Sale and restoration

In 2012, after being exposed to the elements and subsequent hazard to the public, the City of Waterville requested bids for the sale or restoration of the No. 470 locomotive.[9] Of the six bids that were received, only one bidder planned to keep the locomotive in Maine.[8]

On December 3, 2013, the City Council of Waterville voted to sell the No. 470 locomotive to the Maine-based non-profit New England Steam Corporation (NESCo), which entered a delayed purchase and sale agreement with the city, vowing not to disturb the locomotive until it had raised the purchase price and the anticipated moving costs.[10] On November 5, 2015, the NESCo purchased No. 470 for $25,000 and prepared to move it to the Downeast Scenic Railroad in Ellsworth, Maine.[11][3]

Between July and August 2016, NESCo moved No. 470 to Washington Junction in Hancock, Maine. In cooperation with the Downeast Scenic Railroad, they plan a complete restoration, returning the No. 470 locomotive to operating service. That effort is now underway; a new tender cistern and coal bunker were placed on the tender frame on November 13, 2022.[12] Volunteers hope to have the locomotive finished for its 100th anniversary in 2024.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ ALCO (Bulletin No. 1016). November 1913. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ↑ Leonard, Dr. Richard. "ALCO Pacifics 1913". Rail Archive.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "history & significance of Maine Central 470". Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  4. ↑ Central Maine Magazine. 1 (4). {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. ↑ "About Maine Central #470". New England Steam Corporation.
  6. ↑ "Steam locomotive that made last run 60 years ago to run again". Bangor Daily News. June 17, 2014.
  7. ↑ White, Jonathan N. (2001). "A History of the Maine Central Railroad".
  8. 1 2 Calder, Amy (November 10, 2012). "Six bids to restore Old 470 locomotive to be considered by Waterville City Council". CentralMaine.com.
  9. ↑ Calder, Amy (September 24, 2012). "Waterville officials hope someone can either buy or restore Old 470 steam locomotive". CentralMaine.com.
  10. ↑ Gluckman, Nell (December 7, 2013). "Waterville council approves sale of 1924 locomotive for restoration, relocation to Ellsworth". Bangor Daily News. Archived from the original on October 16, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  11. ↑ Wlodkowski, Dustin (November 5, 2015). "Historic Waterville steam engine to move to Ellsworth". WCSH. Archived from the original on September 25, 2022. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  12. ↑ Hartley, Scott A. (April 2023). "The return of Maine Central No. 470". Trains. No. 4 Vol 83. Kalmbach. pp. 44–45.
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