Power type Steam Build date 1924 Configuration 4-6-2 | Serial number 65555 Rebuild date 1933 | |
 | ||
Builder American Locomotive Company, Schenectady | ||
Maine Central Railroad 470 is a retired 4-6-2 (Pacific) steam locomotive, now owned by New England Steam Corporation. It is currently located displayed in the City of Waterville, Maine.
Contents
History
The locomotive was built in 1924 by the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, NY, designated as builder's number 65555. Upon purchase, Maine Central Railroad (MEC) numbered the engine 470. Delivery was expected during the summer of 1924.
The locomotive was purchased exclusively for a thriving passenger market serving stops between Boston, Massachusetts and Bangor, Maine. Ridership of the era was creating additional demand for capacity and speed, and Maine Central continued up-sizing to larger and more powerful engines such as ALCO's 4-6-2s.
ALCO vigorously promoted their popular 4-6-2s to the railroads, especially in the passenger-dense east coast. It was purchased for $62,296.90 (the equivalent of ±$839,000 in present-day U.S. dollars).
During its 30 years of service, 470 pulled named passenger trains including The Gull, the Bar Harbor Express, and the Kennebec Limited.
The engine was the last steam locomotive to be operated by Maine Central Railroad, and its final run on Sunday, June 13, 1954 was nationally publicized and attracted widespread spectators along its entire route of travel. Passenger service had been in steady decline, and Maine Central discontinued all passenger service in Maine only six years later.
After its final run, Engine 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 October 28, 1962, in celebrating Maine Central Railroad's centennial anniversary, the locomotive was officially presented as a gift to the City of Waterville.
Deterioration
Following the razing of MEC Train Station and reconfiguration of the nearby roadway, the locomotive was moved to a new display location [Map] on December 14, 1970. This new roadside location provided open recreational access to the locomotive, and it became subject to vandalism and pilferage.
During its years on display, the locomotive has received minor cosmetic restoration as well as rudimentary asbestos abatement.
Sale and restoration
In 2012, recognizing the deteriorating condition and subsequent hazard to the public, the City of Waterville requested bids for the sale or restoration of the locomotive. Of the six bids that were received, only one bidder planned to keep the locomotive in Maine.
On December 3, 2013, the City Council of Waterville voted in favor of selling the locomotive to Maine-based non-profit New England Steam Corporation.
New England Steam entered a delayed purchase and sale agreement with the City, vowing not to preemptively disturb the locomotive until it had successfully raised both the purchase price and the anticipated moving costs. The locomotive was purchased on November 5, 2015.
In 2016, New England Steam relocated the locomotive to Washington Junction in Hancock, Maine. In cooperation with Downeast Scenic Railroad, they plan to commence a complete restoration, returning MEC 470 to service as part of a Maine Heritage railway.