7/30/2008 The decision has been made to not run steam this summer. We got behind on the work that the tender needed and that work is still ongoing. The plan will be to have steam operating for Railfans' weekend and the fall foliage season. This is disappointing for a lot of our passengers as it is to us, however once the tender is complete, the locomotive will be in good shape.

2/1/2008 On January 5, 2008, we ran our "Steam in the Snow" special, a Mass Bay RRE-sponsored trip to Sawyers River. Because of very heavy snow conditions, I decided to have GP7 #573 (equipped with pilot plows) take the train west to Sawyers River. Once at Sawyers River we uncoupled the #573, and #7470 took over to haul the train back to North Conway. With #7470 headed east, we had a proper train configuration with Parlor Car Gertrude Emma's observation deck on the west end of the train. The train consisted of #7470, coach #6739, first class coach #3234, CP Reed, Vista dome #1329, Dorthea Mae, and Pullman Observation car, Gertrude Emma on the rear end. It was kind of an eclectic mix of equipment. Maybe next time we can run an all day coach train with equipment from the 1920's which would better match #7470. Anyway, we made seven run-bys on the trip to North Conway, and I have already seen some really spectacular photos of the train at various locations. We had well over 100 paying passengers on board who all seemed to have a really good time. Thanks to all those who paid to ride this train (and those who bought "chase" packages) and to those who worked and volunteered to make this trip a success. We could not have done it without you! #7470s tender is now in Boothbay Railway Village in Maine where it will be rebuilt. We will separate the tank from the frames and wheels, and only the tank will go to BRV. The crew at BRV will replace the sides and bottom of the existing tank with new material while reusing the original top. The new tank will have a substantial amount of hot rivet work as well as a lot of welded areas. The idea is to have the rivet work look as close to original as is possible while welding areas that are not visible in order to conserve funds. For photos, please click here.

Paul Hallett

#7470 Update Archives:
Locomotive #7470 2009
Locomotive #7470 2008
Locomotive #7470 2007
Locomotive #7470 2006
Locomotive #7470 2005

The Wheel Report is written 10 times a year by Paul Hallett, our Operations Manager, for "Notch Eight", the newsletter of the North Conway Railroad Club. To get an inside view of Conway Scenic Railroad's operations, please read on:

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