Farewell to Maine Narrow Gauge Engine 4
Farewell to Engine No. 4
On Saturday, March 29, 2014 my friends Dan, Jameson and I made our way up to the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum in Portland, ME to say farewell to Engine No. 4. This 0-4-4 Forney locomotive was built by Vulcan Iron Works in 1918. This steam locomotive’s 15-year federal boiler certificate will expire this spring, what does this mean? Once this certificate expires; the locomotive boiler needs to be rebuilt or replaced before it can operate again.
History of Maine Engine No. 4
What is a narrow gauge railroad? A railroad using a track gauge narrower than the standerd gauge of 4 foot 8 1/2 inches, this is the width between the rails. In the early days of railroading the gauge varied by country and sometimes by railroad. Here in the USA what we call standard gauge was very popular along with some other variations. A few railroads such as Maine’s Bridgton and Saco River Railroad and Monson Railroad liked the 2 foot gauge. The B&SR Railroad had passenger and freight service between Bridgton to Harrison, ME a total of 33 miles. As for the Monson Railroad it serviced Maine’s Slate Mines. This is where you would find Engine No. 4 traveling along 6 1/4 mile Monson, ME route.
Engine No. 4 was a part of the Monson Railroad until the early 1940’s. The railroad was dismantled in late 1944, and the equipment was shipped to a used equipment yard in Rochester, NY. A few years later Engine 4 returned to New England to be restored. A man named Ellis D Atwood not only bought Engine 4 he also bought Engine 3 which is also a 0-4-4 Forney locomotive along with some rolling stock cars.
Once the equipment was restored Atwood put the locomotives and rolling stock to work on his 1,800 acre cranberry plantation in South Carver, Massachusetts. People started asking Mr. Atwood if they could ride on his railroad, he saw a new opportunity. He then created the historic amusement park called Edaville Railroad. Passengers enjoyed a 5 ½ mile loop [map] around the plantation passing Atwood’s cranberry bogs, Reservoirs, and a small railroad yard with a turntable.
As a child living only 15 minutes away from this historical railroad amusement park, I visited quite often with my dad. I remember being in awe seeing the steam locomotives and coaches. I could spend the whole day taking rides around the 5 ½ mile loop. Sometimes getting off the train at the Atwood Reservoir stop, where the view was picturesque, and you could spend the afternoon fishing. I remember one Sunday, my dad and I was able to ride up on one of those 0-4-4 Forney steam locomotives. It was an amazing experience to be right upfront. During Christmas time I would often visit Edaville for there Festival of lights. Along the trip round the plantation there were small staged villages and thousands of twinkling lights. This was Edaville’s most popular event.
In 1991 the Atwood Family stopped operation of the Edaville Railroad and put the railroad up for sale. Shortly after that in 1992 most of the equipment was sold to a group in Portland, ME which formed what is now known as Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum. Most of the rolling stock and locomotives 3,4, and 8 were trucked up to Portland. On moving day people near and far lined Route 58 in South Carver, Massachusetts, my dad and I was one of those people. We watched as the parade of equipment passed, us we tried to snap as many photos as we could. Like myself so many people have childhood memories of Edaville Railroad and wanted to witness this, end of an era.
Every now and then my Dad and I would stop over to see if anything was going on at Edaville. There were a lot of rumors about reopening the railroad under new ownership. Although, the Maine group bought most of the equipment there were still some rolling stock still there, including engine number 7. When we stopped by we would see an empty parking lot with grass growing in the seams of the pavement. The track was still there, but grass was growing through the ballast. A few times dad and I walked the whole right of way, we would think about all the great times we had there. While we were there we couldn’t get over how many cars would pull into the parking lot in hopes to spend the day at Edaville, only to find the park shut down. The few people we spoke to said they wanted to bring their kids to the park, because they enjoyed it so much when they were children.
A few groups tried to restart the railroad, including Edaville Entertainment Group and South Carver Rail. South Carver Rail lead by former Edaville Railroad employees, gave it a go, they even refurbished engine #7 and borrowed engine #3 from Maine. Sadly both attempts failed. Engine #3 was returned back to Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum and this also became the new home of Baldwin Locomotive Works #7. Currently #7 is undergoing a boiler overhaul, in Portland. In 2005 John Delli Priscolli brought up the Atwood property and the remaining equipment. Most of the original buildings have been replaced and the theme park has gotten a facelift. Also the railroad right-of-way has been reconfigured to a 2 mile loop. Currently they only operate diesel locomotives.
Meanwhile, back in Portland, Maine the old Edaville Railroad rolling stock and locomotives were given new life on a 1 ½ mile right of away that runs along downtown Portland Casco Bay waterfront. This is where you would see ex Edaville #1 a 1949 General Electric Diesel locomotive and until recently Vulcan Iron Works #4 in action. Along with taking a ride you can visit the museum and learn about the history of Narrow Gauge Railroads in Maine. My dad and I would often visit during our summer time trips to Maine. It’s hard to believe it been over 20 years in operation now. The museum is currently in the process of moving its operation from downtown Portland to Gray, Maine. Trains would then operate on the old Portland-Lewiston Interurban right-of-way along Route100. The space would double for the railroad, offices, restoration shops, and museum. Plans also include a roundhouse for the locomotives with a turnable. The group hopes to be up and running in Gray, ME by 2016.
Our Visit
Dan, Jameson (Dan’s son) and I spent the day at the Maine Narrow Gauge Museum. I’ve been here a few times, they were visiting the museum for the first time. With our cameras in hand we started snapping shots of Engine #4 in action. We boarded the 4pm ride and hand a few opportunities to deboard the train to take photos. We were able to take photos of the locomotive doing the runaround just before the Old Back Cove Grand Trunk Railroad Bridge and pass by along the beach part of the right of way. I was also able to eavesdrop in on railroad operations on my scanner 160.245 PL 82.5
Night shoot
Then later that evening we boarded the train again for a night shoot. We made our way back to Old Back Cove Grand Trunk Railroad Bridge where they set up Engine #4 and staged freight equipment on the runaround track. This was my first time doing a night shoot. I got to say I learned a lot.
I hope to see engine #4 chugging along the tracks again. I’m very thankful to have seen it given new life not once but twice. It could have been pulled a part and scraped in that used equipment yard in New York, but it was saved. Then it was saved again by group of rail fans in Maine. Thanks to a few that love trains for making this huge effort, so future generations can fall in love with them as well!
Railroad Scanner
160.245 PL 82.5
