Minuteman Through the Notch: 470 Club Excursion, Conway Scenic Railroad: 10/19/2019
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- čas přidán 29. 08. 2024
- Conway Scenic Railroad has been host to a variety of groups, whether they be private groups, nonprofit organizations, or railroad clubs, but there’s one group that stands out. The 470 Railroad Club, organized after the last steam locomotive traversed the Maine Central’s Portland - Bangor route, MEC 470 held the honor, and became the club’s namesake. The club’s historic origins would see them become a massive force in the northeast railroad preservation movement, showcasing their collection in North Conway, they hold ownership over a variety of historical freight cars, and the pinnacle of their collection is Boston and Maine 4266. The F7 served the old B&M in both passenger and freight service, pulling the last Ambassador from Boston to White River Junction where Central Vermont continued the train north, 4266 became the last F-unit to ever operate for the B&M. Following her retirement from active service, the 470 Railroad Club purchased the historic unit, along with 4268, 66 was restored to service, and now is leased to Conway Scenic Railroad, 68 will soon follow suit following the completion of her restoration. 4266 sees backup service for both Valley and Notch (now Mountaineer) service, as well as power for special occasions. The annual 470 Club excursion is one such occasion.
Along with another special request, 4266 doubleheaded with ex-Maine Central 573, the only other operational locomotive on the CSRX roster to feature the maroon and harvest gold paint so common on the first generation diesels that populated the commonly owned B&M and MEC. It’s also worth noting that both locomotives are Notch rarities, while 4266’s operation isn’t common, 573 almost always operates the Valley routes, her returning to the mountain grades that she once ran 60 years ago is equally if not more rare. Running from the Conway Scenic’s North Conway terminal, they ran north to Mountain Junction, where the B&M Conway Branch meets the MEC Mountain, ex-MEC 252, served on the tail end of the train, once over Mt. Junction, 252 would lead over what has been restored to service on the Mountain Division, leading past Redstone, and eventually East Conway to the foot of the Saco River Bridge, the current terminus for any train operating over the trackage. From here, 252 cuts off, allowing 4266 and 573 to lead west on the route to Crawford. Crossing the Saco River and cutting through the Mt. Washington Valley forests, eventually going up the rigorous grade along the mountain shelf to the Gateway of the Notch; where the train pulls into Crawford Station for an hour layover allowing passengers to stretch their legs. leading into Fabyan, 4266 and 573 runs around to the other end of the train to lead back to No. Conway.
Enjoy this incredibly rare excursion!
That A200 though... Best sound to ever venture through the Notch. The muffled whine of a 567 chugging through. The fall colors with Maroon and Gold. What a fantastic video! You've really outdone yourself!
Thank you! Couldn’t agree more!
I'm hoping the Mountain Division line to Portland is eventually reopened so excursions from Portland could be run. With MEC's 470 locomotive being restored, a run of that old gal up from Portland when she's operational would be a truly historic event!
Wow! Great job ben. This is one of the best I have seen
Thank you!
This is probably one of the best ones yet! Excellent work my friend!
Thank you!
Incredible work Ben! Sorry I wasn’t able to make that one last year. Always this year!
Thank you! And very true, haven’t heard that it’s been cancelled, hoping that doesn’t change!
This is a great video! It is just what we need to help us get through this covid 19! I have been waiting for a video of this trip ever since i first saw the train in the yard at North Conway. Thank you so much for doing this video!
I’ve been waiting to do this video and have anticipated it just as much as you have! As always it’s my pleasure to do these, I have to say though, usually 470 Club excursions bring in a sizable railfanning crowd, word must’ve been quiet that they were using 573 on the east end of the power last year, I think Bill Willis chased to some spots that day for photography, but other than that I had the whole route to myself (quite the surreal experience considering the perfect weather, foliage, and train). As always, more is on the way, different video, different route, but same power.... if you worked the day after this trip you probably know what I’m getting at here, anyways though, hope to have it out by week’s end! Thank you as always for watching and being supportive!
@@merrimacksacoproductions4497 I did not work the day after this trip but i do think i know what you are talking about. I did however work the same day as of the excursion so that is how i knew about it.
Such Unique trains compared to what we have here in Chicago
Great photography!
stephen bardzilowski thank you!
Great job! Steve
Thank you Steve!
Another great vid!
Thank you!
Awesome!! That opening shot was perfect!! I really hope to chase it this year (if it happens)!
Thank you! I’ve read that it’s still running, check in around September and October, should give a date by then, should be second to last Saturday for running though based off previous experience
@@merrimacksacoproductions4497 No problem! That's great! I have some shots in mind that I want with the foliage, so I hope it does! If not, there is always just a regular Mountaineer!
Very true! What shots were you thinking of? You might see me out there
@@merrimacksacoproductions4497 Mainly something like what you got at the Gateway, maybe at one of bridges, probably Arethusa, among others. Once we get closer I will make a definitive plan. I hope to see you out there!
Imagine a steam in the snow with 4266 leading to notchland, and 7470 leading back.
Or even better, 4266 and 68 leading out, I think I’ve see it happen before in previous years, or that was just the covered wagon while 7470 was OoS, if they get 68 going though, 66 won’t need to lead long hood back so we might see it, or at least have a better chance of seeing it, would be cool to see needless to say
Awww I miss the old K5LA
It’s still on, they just haven’t used it as much in favor of the prototypical A-200, but if there’s ever a problem that requires a more attention grabbing horn, they still have the K5LA
@@merrimacksacoproductions4497 I ment 252’s K5LA
Great video! Where did they lose 252?
Thank you! Right after they didn’t need power on the east end, they stopped just short of the Saco River Bridge (no rails on the bridge deck effectively making it the end of active Mountain Division trackage east of Mountain Junction), after that they cut off seeing as they didn’t need pushers, they had to stop at the bridge anyways so keeping her on was redundant, and no point in stopping later at Mt. Jct. to cut 252, just wastes time on their part
Dang what's the top speed? Looked like it was going 40 at some spots.
I believe 30? I’m not entirely sure, but I’m sure it’s somewhere around there.
First crossing not working :( Whys that?
Mechanic Street right? It’s on the what CSRX calls the Redstone Branch going east of mountain junction, they only operate it on special occasions, so crossings aren’t automatic to make the route more cost effective, I believe the gates and such can be manually activated but they can also flag, which they did a fair amount that day. Should the route ever becomes a third valley route, then they’ll probably rig the crossings to be automatic.
@@merrimacksacoproductions4497 Late reply, but a friend who worked there said that the crossings were automatic, but with the rails being in bad shape, it doesn’t sense it much.
Me skipping to 4266 K5