April 2, 2010
At this point, I think that we have had enough rain to last through the end of August! So far there has been no damage to our right of way that we are aware of. The track has been inspected from Conway to Bartlett, and as soon as the lingering snow melts out of the Notch, we will be checking conditions up there.
There has been a lot of speculation on the message boards and at local train shows concerning our dealings with motive power. There are some things that we are contractually obligated to keep to ourselves at this time, and there are other things that we can talk about. What I can say is that Conway Scenic Railroad is in the process of acquiring two units from Pan Am Railways. One of the units is GP38 #252. This unit has historical significance as having been among the last units that the Maine Central Railroad purchased new (in November of 1966). It operated on the Mountain Division for many years, and as I understand, it was the lead unit on the very last YR-1. This unit is equipped with regular dynamic brakes which can be modified to become extended range if we find that to be necessary. #252 is the last and only remaining GP 38 on Pan Am’s roster, and they have decided to standardize on newer and higher horsepower locomotives. GP 38s have 645E 16 cylinder engines which are roots blown and are rated at 2,000 HP. The #252 was removed from service in December of last year with main generator issues. The locomotive is being repaired at Waterville at this time. We have made arrangements with Pan Am to have this locomotive painted back into its ‘as delivered’ paint scheme of harvest gold with green stripes and numbers. The words “MAINE CENTRAL” will be replaced with “CONWAY SCENIC” in the logo on the cab sides, and we will do a similar modification in the green shield that will be located on the nose of the locomotive. We expect to take delivery of this locomotive sometime in May. It is our intention that this locomotive will become the regular power on our Crawford Notch Trains. I must thank Jimmy Abbott for bringing to my attention the news that the #252 had been stored out of service. That information is what got the acquisition started.
Of course, when you acquire one second generation higher horsepower EMD, it is only natural that you might be interested in a second one to have on the roster. We have also made arrangements to get GP35 #216 from Pan Am. This locomotive was built for the Norfolk and Western Railway as #1328; it became Norfolk Southern #1328. Guilford Transportation Industries acquired the locomotive in 1993 and renumbered it to #216. It is our plan to retain the GTI number. A three digit number in the 200 series would look best on the long hood. This locomotive was built in March of 1965 and has a 567D3 16 cylinder turbo charged engine. It develops 2500 HP and is equipped with dynamic brakes. This unit is interesting in that it has dual controls in the cab and can be operated from either side. This will be our second piece of equipment from the N&W joining the HATTIE EVANS, ex N&W #492. This locomotive also will be painted in the Maine Central Heritage scheme of Harvest Gold with green stripes. We will use the same color green for the stripes as the green in our Notch Scheme. Because this is a high hood unit, it will be similar in appearance to the MEC GP-7s that were painted in Harvest Gold. We are hoping to have this unit on the property sometime in late April. This will be dependent on weather conditions. As I mentioned earlier, there is still a lot of snow in the Gateway.
As far as other speculation goes, I am afraid that you will have to wait a bit longer to see what actually happens. The facts will reveal themselves in the not too distant future.
In other news, the work on the ‘Ladies Lounge’ at the North Conway Station is almost complete. We still have to re-install the toilets and sinks and tie in the plumbing, but the new floor is in, as are the new stainless steel privacy dividers. We have installed a fold down baby changing station, along with new wall board, window trim and paint. It will be interesting to see the reaction of our patrons as they see the improvements for the first time. The Station floor has received its annual coat of polyurethane and looks very nice. The lead truck on the model of MEC #470 at the foot of the stairs that lead to the North Tower has been re-railed. I have been walking by that derailment for five years, and I finally got around to having one of the guys take the display case apart so that the truck could be put back on the track. I feel better now!
The guys continue to work on the dining car HATTIE EVANS on a daily basis, and there is still lots to do, but we are determined to have the car in service this season.
All four wheel sets from Dome Car Dorthea Mae were sent to the ORX wheel shop in Tipton, PA, for attention, especially to the brake discs. ORX will install new discs and wheels as necessary on the old axles. This will necessitate starting the season with 1133 in the spring consist this year as the power car. Dorthea Mae has the generator which normally supplies power for this consist. Dorthea Mae was placed on shop trucks and rolled back into the roundhouse where she will soon get her partial exterior paint job.
The new 2010 Conway Scenic brochures have arrived and are available in the outside racks at North Conway Station.
On a personal note, it was five years ago on April 11, 2005, that I came to work at Conway Scenic. It has been a very enjoyable and interesting five years, and I am eagerly looking forward to the next five. Conway Scenic Railroad is a very special place, and I am very grateful that it is here for all of us to enjoy. As Joni Mitchell said, “You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.” Don’t misunderstand, I am not saying that Conway Scenic is going anywhere - I am just saying here it is, so enjoy it!
The next time you are trackside, ALWAYS EXPECT A TRAIN!
Paul Hallett
