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New England Steam Corporation

Help us to restore former Maine Central steam locomotive 470 "The Mascot of Maine" to full operating condition!

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New England Steam Corporation

New England Steam Corporation

New England Steam Corporation

New England Steam Corporation

New England Steam Corporation

Help us to restore former Maine Central steam locomotive 470 "The Mascot of Maine" to full operating condition!

Help us to restore former Maine Central steam locomotive 470 "The Mascot of Maine" to full operating condition!

Help us to restore former Maine Central steam locomotive 470 "The Mascot of Maine" to full operating condition!

Help us to restore former Maine Central steam locomotive 470 "The Mascot of Maine" to full operating condition!

Brian Hebert
Brian Hebert
Brian Hebert
Brian Hebert
2 Campaigns |
Winterport, United States
$3,247 USD 23 backers
3% of $100,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Highlights
Mountain Filled 2 Projects Mountain Filled 2 Projects

We have started a new campaign with some great perks! Check it out!



Welcome to New England Steam Corporation's Indiegogo page! 

We are a non profit 501(c)3 corporation dedicated to preserving and operating mainline trains pulled by steam locomotives in New England. Our focus is on restoring former Maine Central 4-6-2 #470 to operation. This is no small undertaking. It will require many hours of volunteer labor, donations of money, materials, and support from generous people and businesses.

 

Steam locomotive 470, the "Mascot of Maine" is a New England native. The locomotive is a cherished artifact currently on display in the City of Waterville Maine. Local residents cherish their history and protect their historical sites for future generations to enjoy. Railroad history is a part of New England's past and is intertwined with the building of a great nation. Freight and people were moved along by the railroad with great speed and efficiency before the days of automobiles and airplanes. Steam locomotives evolved to handle heavy trains with ever increasing tonnage. By the 1950s, the steam locomotive had become an engineering marvel with locomotives that weighed hundreds of tons. They could pull freight trains well over one hundred cars long, and speed passengers between cities in great luxury and style.

 

MEC 470 is one of those great locomotives. Built in 1924 by American Locomotive Works, this locomotive was born to run! 470 joined a fleet of hundreds of steam locomotives and served Maine Central RR for almost 30 years. Her large drive wheels and graceful proportions evoke images of pulling the fastest name trains on the railroad such as the "Kennebec Limited", "The Gull", and "the Bar Harbor Express". 

 470 pulled the last steam powered passenger train on the Maine Central on June 13th 1954. Afterwards, the locomotive was saved from the scrapper by being donated by the Maine Central to the City of Waterville, Maine. As a display in a local park, 470 has sat as a reminder of the glory days of railroading.

 470 July 5th 2013

 470 July 2013

 470 headlight weeds

Sadly though, time and the elements have taken their toll. Sitting unprotected from the sun, rain, snow, unending vandalism, and worst of all, neglect, has caused this once proud athlete to deteriorate into an eyesore.

Luckily, there is going to be a brighter future for 470!

In February 2013, our group of determined, steam oriented, individuals came together to form a non profit organization called New England Steam Corporation. Our mission is to return 470 to her former glory.

Ultrasonic testing of 470's firebox February 2013

NESCo volunteers checking steel thickness

Working with the City of Waterville, NESC made a preliminary inspection of the locomotive. The inspection included ultrasonic thickness testing of the firebox steel and boiler shell. Visual inspection of numerous components was completed by a mechanical engineer and the results were surprising. This locomotive that has sat in a City park for almost 60 years is in relatively good condition. The inside of the boiler is dry and clean. Maine Central crews did an excellent job in 1954 of preparing 470 for display. It has been determined that steam locomotive 470 is a good candidate for restoration and can be made operational.  

Please make a donation to New England Steam Corporation and support our project to restore 470 to operation. We'll gladly accept your donation and use it to purchase 470 from the City of Waterville for $25,000, transport her to a new home and begin the restoration.

 This is just the beginning of a huge and wonderful project to restore a missing piece of history to communities along the rail lines of New England. All of us at New England steam encourage you to visit our website www.newenglandsteam.org and join as a member. With your help everyone will see this mighty powerhouse on rails pulling trains on the high iron again!

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Choose your Perk

Big Thank You!

$5 USD
We'd gladly shake your hand and say Thank You! Small donations add up quickly and will certainly make restoring 470 a reality!
0 claimed

Bi-annual Newsletter

$20 USD
Our newsletter will contain details of how our efforts are evolving with inside information and expanded descriptions of shop work not found anywhere else. New England history buffs will enjoy this newsletter because it will be full of intriguing information and stories from the days when steam was king!
Estimated Shipping
January 2014
3 claimed

Newsletter,Decal and More

$30 USD
We'll send you our bi-annual newsletter, with our "Mascot of Maine" logo decal, and add your name to our list of helpful donors. The list will be printed in the newsletter and on our website.
Estimated Shipping
January 2014
1 claimed

Newsletter, Poster, and More

$47 USD
We'll send you our bi-annual newsletter, along with a watercolor poster painted by local artist Glenn Christianson. We'll also add your name to our list of helpful donors. The list will be printed in the Newsletter and on our website.
Estimated Shipping
January 2014
4 claimed

Guardian Angel

$100 USD
By donating one hundred dollars you are answering our prayers. You will receive all the previous perks plus your name will be added to the list on the "Wall of Honor". Our "Wall of Honor" will contain the names of individuals or companies who donate at the $100 dollar level or above. The list will travel with us to shows, and meetings we attend as fundraisers. Everyone will be able to clearly see it. We will be proud to display to others your generous contribution.
Estimated Shipping
January 2014
4 claimed

Friend of 470

$470 USD
Steam Locomotive 470 will surely operate again with large donations such as the "Friend". Please consider yourself as one of the few who made a difference in this fundraising campaign. You will receive all the previous perks and our most sincere thanks.
Estimated Shipping
January 2014
2 claimed

Wicked Good Level

$1,000 USD
In Maine "Wicked Good" is as good as it gets. This level of donation shows that you are a true supporter of 470's operating future. You will receive all the previous perks including a personal letter of thanks from our President of New England Steam Corporation, Mr. Richard Glueck.
Estimated Shipping
January 2014
1 claimed

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