guymonmd Wrote:
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> What will be your motive power until B&H #7 is
> back in operation?

The museum does have a 2-ft gauge diesel locomotive that appears in one of the photos in the album, dragging #4 as she was being fired up. That diesel is typically used on the weekdays during the summer, when there is no steam crew available. I can't speak for the museum, but I would assume that trains will be diesel-powered until #7 is ready.

At 33 tons, B&SR #7 (2-4-4T) is a much larger locomotive than the 20-ton #4. She also has a very different look. #7 is an outside frame engine, with a Walschaerts valve gear. She could probably pull just about every piece of rolling stock that the museum has in serviceable condition. She'll be quite a presence in Portland when she's finally running.

Interestingly, the museum also has B&SR #8 in their collection. At 38 tons, I believe she is the largest of the surviving Maine 2-footers. Unfortunately, she has been out of service for over 10 years and apparently needs some pretty substantial boiler work.

/Kevin