WATERVILLE (AP) — Waterville officials have voted to sell a historic steam locomotive that sits slowly deteriorating in town because it’s too expensive to restore.
The Morning Sentinel reports that Mayor Karen Heck cast the deciding vote in a 4-3 decision Tuesday.
The Old 470 steam locomotive was sold to New England Steam Corp. for $25,000. The organization wants to move the engine to Ellsworth, restore it, and use it on the Downeast Scenic Railroad.
President Richard Glueck said his organization is trying to raise the $1.5 to $1.75 million restoration cost, an amount the city can’t afford.
The locomotive was the last steam engine used for passenger service on the Maine Central Railroad. Its final trip was in June 1954. Built in 1924, it was a gift to the city in 1962.
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less