WATERVILLE — With ultrasound equipment, fiber-optic cameras and a hodgepodge of tools, a group of railroad enthusiasts are laboring on a historic steam locomotive with the hope of eventually restoring it to working condition.
In a split vote, city councilors agreed in December to sell the Old 470 steam locomotive, now fenced off in a lot off College Avenue, to the volunteers at New England Steam Corp.
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The group’s president, Richard Glueck, said members have raised $50,000 so far to buy and restore the locomotive, and they plan to move it in the spring to Ellsworth for the majority of the restoration work.
Glueck said Monday that the volunteers planned to work “until the snow gets too deep to do anything” and then in the spring to carefully hoist the train onto a trailer and take it to Ellsworth to complete the restoration.
“We want to bring it back to Waterville at some point,” he said.
Glueck said knowledge of steam locomotives is fading, which is what drives the enthusiasts to restore the engine and eventually use it to teach the community about the bygone transportation method. He said the group hopes to turn the train into “a living, working classroom.”
Old 470 was the last steam engine used for passenger service on the Maine Central Railroad. It made its final trip through Waterville, from Portland to Bangor, on June 13, 1954. It was built in 1924 by American Locomotive Co. and given to the city Oct. 28, 1962, as a gift by Maine Central Railroad to mark the 100th anniversary of its founding.
Over the years, the engine has fallen victim to vandals and harsh weather, and efforts to preserve and maintain the engine have been sporadic.
As a half dozen volunteers with railroad experience labored on the engine Monday, Glueck explained that as they continue to assess the structure, the volunteers have been surprised by finding parts that are more sound than anticipated.
“We think we have a very restorable locomotive,” he said.
For now, the weathered 250-ton train engine stands in a grassy lot along College Avenue north of the railroad overpass. The train was the frequent target of vandalism, prompting city officials to build a chain-link fence around the perimeter.
“Vandals, unsupervised children and outright thieves have smashed all the glass and taken the parts,” Glueck said.
He said they are asking residents to donate old train parts if they have some. So far, residents have responded with the antique parts found in their attics or stored in their barns. For example, he said three weeks ago, he received a call from a man offering to donate a needed locomotive headlight.
This week, Glueck rattled off a list of parts the train needs — lamps and gauges, technical sketches, photographs and other parts. Also, it needs a whistle.
“Yeah, we need a replacement whistle,” Glueck said. “All of these things will make our job that much easier.”
Glueck said those interested in more information about 470, how to contribute items or help with the restoration may go to New England Steam’s website at www.newenglandsteam.org or email newenglandsteamcorp@gmail.com.
Kaitlin Schroeder — 861-9252
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