On March 29th, the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Company & Museum held a special event so that 2-foot fans could enjoy Monson Locomotive #4 one last time before her FRA Form 4 expires. The museum folks ran 3 passenger excursions around Portland's Eastern Promenade, and then a night photo shoot was held after dark for about 2 dozen photographers. A approaching rainstorm held off until the very end of the event, so most of the attendees were able grab a few last memories of Number 4. The museum anticipates that she's going to need a new boiler before she can operate again, so it may be a few years before we see her return.
Here's a link to a small album of images that I shot that day:
Farewell to Monson Locomotive #4
This isn't the end of steam on the Portland Waterfront. The museum is in the final stages of restoring the 33-ton Bridgton & Harrison #7, so we can expect to see her become the duty engine sometime next year.
/Kevin