Maine Central Railroad Locomotive 470

Maine Central Railroad 470 is a 4-6-2 (Pacific) steam locomotive, now owned by New England Steam Corporation. It is currently located at Washington Junction in Hancock, Maine.

MEC 470
Maine Central 470 sits on display in Waterville, Maine
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderAmerican Locomotive Company, Schenectady
Serial number65555
Build date1924
Rebuild date1933
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 cap9,200 US gal (35,000 l; 7,700 imp gal)
Firebox:
 • Firegrate area		56.5 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
Delivered1924
Last runJune 13, 1954
Retired1955
PreservedOctober 28, 1962
Current ownerNew England Steam Corporation
DispositionUndergoing restoration to operating condition at the Downeast Scenic Railroad in Ellsworth, Maine
Specifications are following a Class C-3 Modification. 1933

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.[1]

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.[2]

ALCO vigorously promoted their popular 4-6-2s to the railroads, especially in the passenger-dense east coast.[3] 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.[4]

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.[5] Passenger service had been in steady decline, and Maine Central discontinued all passenger service in Maine only six years later.[6]

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.[7]

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.[8] Of the six bids that were received, only one bidder planned to keep the locomotive in Maine.[9]

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.[10]

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.

References
  1. Central Maine Magazine. Vol. 1 (number 4). Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ALCO (Bulletin No. 1016). November 1913. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. Leonard, Dr. Richard. "ALCO Pacifics 1913". Rail Archive.
  4. "About Maine Central #470". New England Steam Corporation.
  5. "Steam locomotive that made last run 60 years ago to run again". Bangor Daily News. June 17, 2014.
  6. White, Jonathan N. (2001). "A History of the Maine Central Railroad".
  7. Bangor Daily News (Somerset Edition). June 14, 1984. p. 17. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. Calder, Amy (September 24, 2012). "Waterville officials hope someone can either buy or restore Old 470 steam locomotive". CentralMaine.com.
  9. Calder, Amy (November 10, 2012). "Six bids to restore Old 470 locomotive to be considered by Waterville City Council". CentralMaine.com.
  10. Gluckman, Nell (December 7, 2013). "Waterville council approves sale of 1924 locomotive for restoration, relocation to Ellsworth". Bangor Daily News.

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