READ: Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad Sues Maine Narrow Gauge Museum Over Investment in Steam LocomotiveIt wants compensation for its investment of over $144,000 connected to restoration of a Narrow Gauge steam engine.
Showing posts with label portland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label portland. Show all posts
Friday, September 13, 2019
Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad Sues Maine Narrow Gauge Museum Over Investment in Steam Locomotive
READ: Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad Sues Maine Narrow Gauge Museum Over Investment in Steam LocomotiveIt wants compensation for its investment of over $144,000 connected to restoration of a Narrow Gauge steam engine.
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad staying in Portland ME
SOURCE: Portland Press Herald - Randy Billings
The
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad is changing tracks. Instead of building a new museum
and rail line in Gray, the nonprofit railroad company that has operated on the
eastern waterfront since 1993 with popular events like the Polar Express is
staying in Portland
The
group recently received zoning approvals to build a new storage facility at the
eastern terminus of the 2-foot-wide railway, near the East End Treatment Plant,
and is seeking approvals to build a new ticketing booth and passenger center
near Ocean Gateway.
The
nonprofit plans to pay for the $2 million project with a capital campaign.
Executive
Director Wesley Heinz said the nonprofit is finalizing site plans, which he
said would only need administrative approval because of the project size and
status as an accessory use to the rail line. He hopes to break ground on the
new buildings this fall.
“It
was all there,” Heinz said of the opportunity to stay in Portland
The
Narrow Gauge Railroad needs to be out of its current location at 58 Fore St.
The
nonprofit originally planned to move its museum to Gray, where it hoped to
build a new rail line, but those plans were abandoned this year.
Heinz
said a lack of funding played a small role, but the “show-stopper” was the
inability to develop the property located next to a strip mall because it was a
wetland.
The
new plans emerge at a time of growth for the small rail company. Heinz said
ridership has more than doubled in the past five years. Last year, over 60,000
people rode the Narrow Gauge, including the popular Polar Express train in the
days leading up to Christmas, compared to 23,000 passengers in 2013, he said.
The
nonprofit also is hosting more corporate events, in addition to new family
events, including ice cream train rides and a Friday family fun night, which
includes music, lights, juice and cookies.
“The
business model really supported us staying here,” Heinz said in an interview
aboard the train as it rattled along the eastern waterfront Monday. “As
ridership grew, it became very apparent that we have a home here.”
Stephanie
and Bob Holmes of New York took their
22-month-old granddaughter, Heidi, for her first trip on the train and were
pleased to hear it would remain in Portland
“She
loved it,” Bob Holmes said. “She was waving to everyone.”
Plans
call for a 1,000-square-foot passenger center and ticketing booth within the
railroad right of way along Thames
Street
Heinz
said the new buildings are being considered an accessory use to the rail line. Portland
Heinz
said that the nonprofit will probably have to use a temporary trailer, or
simply sell tickets aboard the train, until the new passenger facility, which
will have a waiting area and restrooms, is ready.
The
new plan does not call for a museum. Instead, Heinz said a Narrow Gauge exhibit
is being established at the Wiscasset, Waterville
and Farmington Railway Museum
Jerry
Angier, a trustee who is leading the fundraising effort, said the railroad is
determined to get the project built.
“We’ll
do it as long as we need to do it until we have the funds to make this a
success,” Angier said. “We’ll leave no stone unturned. And anyone who will
listen will get the sales pitch.”
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
New Rail Link to Maine Waterfront Could Revive Port
SOURCE: ABC news Tom Bell/AP
Freight trains are rolling through New England carrying the first-ever shipping containers loaded on the Portland waterfront. The new train service is the product of years of planning and millions in public and private investment, with the goal of connecting this once-thriving port by rail with freight customers throughout North America.
State officials see the rail link as key to reviving the port, which was among the largest on the East Coast a century ago but had fallen in past decades to a near-dormant state, losing business to larger ports.
Stuck at the end of the nation's supply line, Maine has struggled with higher transportation bills, which make manufacturing less competitive and increase costs for consumers.
The LePage administration has been trying to change those dynamics, first in 2013 by luring Eimskip, an Icelandic shipping company, to carry containerized cargo between Portland and Europe, and then by expanding the Portland container terminal. The state spent $29 million in state and federal money to modernize the terminal and expand it by about 1,500 feet to reach the end of the rail line, which previously had only carried bulk cargo, like rolls of paper, to and from the port.
The opening of the rail link is an historic moment for the port, said Jack Humeniuk, vice president of the Portland Longshoremen's Benevolent Association, whose members loaded the containers onto flat rail cars. "We're not looking at Maine as being at the end of the transportation trail, but as the front door to a different part of the world."
The new facility allows containers to be moved between ships and trains, and also between trucks and trains.
Pan Am Railways began the service Friday, hauling Poland Springs bottled water packed in blue Eimskip containers. This is the first phase of a pilot project. Three days a week — Friday, Saturday and Sunday — a train carrying 15 containers of bottle water will travel to Ayer, Massachusetts. There, the containers will be put on trucks and delivered to nearby wholesale suppliers.
Until now, Maine companies that lack rail access had to truck containers to terminals in Ayer and Worcester, Massachusetts. It's generally cheaper to move heavier cargo by train than by truck, because more can be moved at one time with lower fuel costs and fewer workers.
Because Pan Am trains will carry containers delivered by both truck and by ship, it will have enough volume to support regular service to Portland, Humeniuk said.
Chop Hardenbergh, editor of Atlantic Northeast Rails & Ports, a trade publication, said he is skeptical the new terminal will be successful. He said he has seen others in Maine fail because there hasn't been enough demand to make the operations economical.
"The big unknown is what Eimskip can bring to this," he said. "Can Eimskip add enough volume so Pan Am will say it's worthwhile to run a train?"
Freight trains are rolling through New England carrying the first-ever shipping containers loaded on the Portland waterfront. The new train service is the product of years of planning and millions in public and private investment, with the goal of connecting this once-thriving port by rail with freight customers throughout North America.
State officials see the rail link as key to reviving the port, which was among the largest on the East Coast a century ago but had fallen in past decades to a near-dormant state, losing business to larger ports.
Stuck at the end of the nation's supply line, Maine has struggled with higher transportation bills, which make manufacturing less competitive and increase costs for consumers.
The LePage administration has been trying to change those dynamics, first in 2013 by luring Eimskip, an Icelandic shipping company, to carry containerized cargo between Portland and Europe, and then by expanding the Portland container terminal. The state spent $29 million in state and federal money to modernize the terminal and expand it by about 1,500 feet to reach the end of the rail line, which previously had only carried bulk cargo, like rolls of paper, to and from the port.
The opening of the rail link is an historic moment for the port, said Jack Humeniuk, vice president of the Portland Longshoremen's Benevolent Association, whose members loaded the containers onto flat rail cars. "We're not looking at Maine as being at the end of the transportation trail, but as the front door to a different part of the world."
The new facility allows containers to be moved between ships and trains, and also between trucks and trains.
Pan Am Railways began the service Friday, hauling Poland Springs bottled water packed in blue Eimskip containers. This is the first phase of a pilot project. Three days a week — Friday, Saturday and Sunday — a train carrying 15 containers of bottle water will travel to Ayer, Massachusetts. There, the containers will be put on trucks and delivered to nearby wholesale suppliers.
Until now, Maine companies that lack rail access had to truck containers to terminals in Ayer and Worcester, Massachusetts. It's generally cheaper to move heavier cargo by train than by truck, because more can be moved at one time with lower fuel costs and fewer workers.
Because Pan Am trains will carry containers delivered by both truck and by ship, it will have enough volume to support regular service to Portland, Humeniuk said.
Chop Hardenbergh, editor of Atlantic Northeast Rails & Ports, a trade publication, said he is skeptical the new terminal will be successful. He said he has seen others in Maine fail because there hasn't been enough demand to make the operations economical.
"The big unknown is what Eimskip can bring to this," he said. "Can Eimskip add enough volume so Pan Am will say it's worthwhile to run a train?"
Friday, February 20, 2015
Narrow Gauge Rail Museum to Remain in Portland ME Until 2017
(SOURCE: Trains.com)
PORTLAND, Maine – The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad & Museum will stay put on Portland's eastern promenade for at least another year, after its new landlord agreed to a lease. The 2-foot-gauge museum plans to move its operation to Gray to allow the 10-acre waterfront property to be redeveloped.
Donnell Carroll, executive director of the museum, says he is pleased to have reached a lease agreement that maintains operations in Portland until a new facility is built roughly 25 miles away in Gray. Carroll says the agreement extends through 2016 into early 2017, giving the museum time to develop the Gray site.
The museum has much of the rolling stock of the old Edaville Railroad in Massachusetts, most of which came from two of Maine's fabled "two-footers," the Bridgton & Harrison and the Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes railroads. It operates on about 1.5 miles of track along the Casco Bay waterfront, offering seasonal tourist rides and the popular Polar Express around the Christmas holiday.
A pending zoning change to allow the developers to build taller buildings for residential use is facing opposition from neighbors concerned about the impact on water views, as well as the historic Portland Co. buildings.
The Portland Co. built locomotives, rail cars, and ships at the site.
PORTLAND, Maine – The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad & Museum will stay put on Portland's eastern promenade for at least another year, after its new landlord agreed to a lease. The 2-foot-gauge museum plans to move its operation to Gray to allow the 10-acre waterfront property to be redeveloped.
Donnell Carroll, executive director of the museum, says he is pleased to have reached a lease agreement that maintains operations in Portland until a new facility is built roughly 25 miles away in Gray. Carroll says the agreement extends through 2016 into early 2017, giving the museum time to develop the Gray site.
The museum has much of the rolling stock of the old Edaville Railroad in Massachusetts, most of which came from two of Maine's fabled "two-footers," the Bridgton & Harrison and the Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes railroads. It operates on about 1.5 miles of track along the Casco Bay waterfront, offering seasonal tourist rides and the popular Polar Express around the Christmas holiday.
A pending zoning change to allow the developers to build taller buildings for residential use is facing opposition from neighbors concerned about the impact on water views, as well as the historic Portland Co. buildings.
The Portland Co. built locomotives, rail cars, and ships at the site.
Monday, September 8, 2014
Maine Narrow Gauge Museum Has Big Plans
(SOURCE: Trains.com Newswire)
PORTLAND, Maine – The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum has big plans for its proposed move to Gray, about 25 miles north of Portland. The move, which executive director Donnell Carroll hopes will happen in 2016, is estimated to cost $6 million.
That $6 million price tag includes not only the cost of moving 50 pieces of rolling stock and building up to three miles of track, but also for construction of a 9,500 square foot combination ticket office, waiting room, library, archive, office, and meeting space; a carbarn to shelter up to 15 pieces of rolling stock; a roundhouse; and a restoration shop, according to a flyer about the plans distributed recently in the community.
Carroll tells the Munjoy Hill News that he has been in touch with state and federal legislators, and he says their staffs are looking into potential grants the museum may be eligible for. In addition, he plans a fund-raising campaign for private donations, especially from people who are known for their generosity to the state of Maine.
"I know $6 million is a lot of money, but I know we can do it," Carroll says.
The plan for the Gray site is purely a concept at this time, but a committee of museum members will meet soon to refine its wish list before seeking input from design firms and architects.
The property where the museum now has its yard and display building was sold to a developer last year, prompting the planned move to Gray.
PORTLAND, Maine – The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum has big plans for its proposed move to Gray, about 25 miles north of Portland. The move, which executive director Donnell Carroll hopes will happen in 2016, is estimated to cost $6 million.
That $6 million price tag includes not only the cost of moving 50 pieces of rolling stock and building up to three miles of track, but also for construction of a 9,500 square foot combination ticket office, waiting room, library, archive, office, and meeting space; a carbarn to shelter up to 15 pieces of rolling stock; a roundhouse; and a restoration shop, according to a flyer about the plans distributed recently in the community.
Carroll tells the Munjoy Hill News that he has been in touch with state and federal legislators, and he says their staffs are looking into potential grants the museum may be eligible for. In addition, he plans a fund-raising campaign for private donations, especially from people who are known for their generosity to the state of Maine.
"I know $6 million is a lot of money, but I know we can do it," Carroll says.
The plan for the Gray site is purely a concept at this time, but a committee of museum members will meet soon to refine its wish list before seeking input from design firms and architects.
The property where the museum now has its yard and display building was sold to a developer last year, prompting the planned move to Gray.
Monday, April 7, 2014
Maine Two-foot Steamer on Track to Restoration
(SOURCE: Trains.com Newswire)
PORTLAND, Maine. – One of Maine's best known two-foot gauge steam locomotives, Bridgton & Saco River 2-4-4T No. 7, is on track to being under steam within the next year and a half. The engine is currently under restoration at the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum in Portland.
The nonprofit group has been working on the locomotive since 2008, but suffered a major setback in 2010 when a fire destroyed the museum's engine house. No. 7 was inside the structure at the time and the cab and tender tank were completely destroyed. According to museum Steam Program Manager Jay Monty, those two pieces have been a major part of the restoration, but volunteers have also been focusing on a complete rebuild of the locomotive's boiler. That part of the project is being completed at the Boothbay Railway Museum and should be completed this summer.
No. 7 was built in 1913 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works and ran on the B&SR, and later the Bridgton & Harrison, until 1941 when the railroad was scrapped. At the time, the B&H was the state's last two-foot gauge railroad. Later that year, No. 7 and sister engine No. 8 were purchased by Ellis D. Atwood, a Massachusetts businessman who set up his own two-foot gauge railroad around his cranberry bogs in South Carver, Mass. The Edaville Railroad ran as a tourist attraction until 1992 when the entire collection (which included four original Maine two-foot gauge steam locomotives and dozens of freight and passenger cars) was returned to Maine and set up as a museum on the Portland waterfront. No. 7 remained in Massachusetts for nearly a decade and finally returned to Maine in 2002, where it ran under steam for a year before being sidelined. In 2008, the group began another full restoration of the engine.
The Edaville built the locomotive’s current boiler in 1959 and during this most recent restoration, volunteers repaired the shell and installed a new firebox, dry pipe, flues, and stay bolts. Last week, Monty estimated the boiler would return to Portland in mid-summer. Meanwhile, the new tender tank is about 95 percent complete and ready for the final mounting on the frame.
In the past year, the museum has raised more than $40,000 for the project, however the group still needs another $10,000 to cover the re-assembly of the locomotive. Anyone interested in helping should visit www.mainenarrowgauge.org/winter-fundraising-campaign.
When No. 7 is restored to steam in 12-18 months, it will be the museum's only operating steam locomotive. On March 29, former Monson Railroad No. 4, a 4-4-0T, made its last run before being sidelined due to the expiration of the engine's Federal Railroad Administration certificate. The event included photo runs and a night photo session.
PORTLAND, Maine. – One of Maine's best known two-foot gauge steam locomotives, Bridgton & Saco River 2-4-4T No. 7, is on track to being under steam within the next year and a half. The engine is currently under restoration at the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum in Portland.
The nonprofit group has been working on the locomotive since 2008, but suffered a major setback in 2010 when a fire destroyed the museum's engine house. No. 7 was inside the structure at the time and the cab and tender tank were completely destroyed. According to museum Steam Program Manager Jay Monty, those two pieces have been a major part of the restoration, but volunteers have also been focusing on a complete rebuild of the locomotive's boiler. That part of the project is being completed at the Boothbay Railway Museum and should be completed this summer.
No. 7 was built in 1913 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works and ran on the B&SR, and later the Bridgton & Harrison, until 1941 when the railroad was scrapped. At the time, the B&H was the state's last two-foot gauge railroad. Later that year, No. 7 and sister engine No. 8 were purchased by Ellis D. Atwood, a Massachusetts businessman who set up his own two-foot gauge railroad around his cranberry bogs in South Carver, Mass. The Edaville Railroad ran as a tourist attraction until 1992 when the entire collection (which included four original Maine two-foot gauge steam locomotives and dozens of freight and passenger cars) was returned to Maine and set up as a museum on the Portland waterfront. No. 7 remained in Massachusetts for nearly a decade and finally returned to Maine in 2002, where it ran under steam for a year before being sidelined. In 2008, the group began another full restoration of the engine.
The Edaville built the locomotive’s current boiler in 1959 and during this most recent restoration, volunteers repaired the shell and installed a new firebox, dry pipe, flues, and stay bolts. Last week, Monty estimated the boiler would return to Portland in mid-summer. Meanwhile, the new tender tank is about 95 percent complete and ready for the final mounting on the frame.
In the past year, the museum has raised more than $40,000 for the project, however the group still needs another $10,000 to cover the re-assembly of the locomotive. Anyone interested in helping should visit www.mainenarrowgauge.org/winter-fundraising-campaign.
When No. 7 is restored to steam in 12-18 months, it will be the museum's only operating steam locomotive. On March 29, former Monson Railroad No. 4, a 4-4-0T, made its last run before being sidelined due to the expiration of the engine's Federal Railroad Administration certificate. The event included photo runs and a night photo session.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Developer Hopes to Extend Tracks to Benefit Portland ME Waterfront
(Source: Portland Press Herald - By Tom Bell)
Two real estate deals that Phineas Sprague Jr. completed last week will bring changes to the west end of Portland's waterfront, but not the change the state wants most: extending railroad tracks to the port's cargo terminal.
Two real estate deals that Phineas Sprague Jr. completed last week will bring changes to the west end of Portland's waterfront, but not the change the state wants most: extending railroad tracks to the port's cargo terminal.
Not yet, at least.
....... Other potential developments on the western waterfront are more significant for the city, including extending rails to the International Marine Terminal and expanding the terminal to make space for a cold-storage warehouse.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Thursday, May 2, 2013
“A Day in the Life” National Train Day at Maine Narrow Gauge PORTLAND ME
“A Day in the Life” – National Train Day Celebration
Celebrate your love of trains by joining us for “A Day in the Life” – A National Train Day Celebration. The museum will be a hub of activity May 11th for a celebration of railroads and train personnel. Activities include demonstrations on hand and whistle signals, coupling the train, and throwing switches. As a special treat we are offering rides on the Pump Car. Visitors can stop in the Engine House to glimpse restoration of Monson Steam Locomotive #4 in action!
The museum will offer activities for children and a view of some new exhibits on display. Fun for the whole family!
Additionally, Maine Operation Lifesaver will be on hand at the museum to offer activities and videos that raise awareness about railroad safety.
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