MGRS Display at June 9th Touch-a-Train Event in Ellsworth for the 470 Restoration and Downeast Scenic Railroad

This past Saturday Art Shean took his portable G-Scale layout to the Touch-a-Train event at the Washington Junction Yard in Ellsworth. With the help of his grandson Griffin and other family members they provided a neat operating layout.

Art said that Percy the Small Engine along with coaches Annie & Claribel performed like a charm!   Multiple kids clearly recognized and appreciated having a Friend of Thomas on the layout.  Scavenger hunt for Mickey characters went over well.  My Grandchildren gave out over 150 Tootsie Pops. 

MGRS at Touch-a-Train in Ellsworth

Grandson Griffin in dark green T-Shirt

Ground level and elevated tracks

Layout with 470 Locomotive Parts at Upper Left

He likes the Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Logging Train

Girls Like Trains Too

Richard Glueck from New England Steam said " Your model layout was probably the biggest hit of the show!  This is going to come to you in two emails, because the images are so large.  I thought you'd really enjoy seeing the impact you made by appearing and going through all the work and expense of driving up and setting up.  The Tootsie Pops were a great touch.  Thanks to your family, too.  Grandchildren are a delight, and yours were polite, and obviously happy to attend.  Please know, we will welcome you and the Maine Garden Railway associates each year, or whenever they choose to have a show in this region."

The overall layout looked like this

And here is the "official" summary of the event.

Touch A Train 2018

A Summary

The purpose of Touch A Train events is to bring the public, train lovers and the general public, in contact with both the Downeast Scenic Railroad and New England Steam Corporation's work in restoring Maine Central steam locomotive 470. 

Before I get into specifics, allow me to thank Mr. Art Shean and his grandson, Griffin, who set up a captivating "G" scale layout in the rear of the NESCO shop building.  This had to be one of the most exciting parts of the show.  Art represents the Maine Garden Railroad Society.

Governor's Restaurants, which is our longest time sponsor, provided five huge trays of desserts for visitors.  Governor's is our "official restaurant", and has been generous with feeding our workers, going back to 2014!

Penobscot Energy Recovery Corporation (PERC) provided ice cream, sponsored the whistle blow, and raffled off some pretty nice garden chairs!  PERC has been a long time supporter of NESCO, having built the lovely three chime whistle.  That whistle has visited CNJ steamer #113 and well as the Maine Narrow Gauge.

Hancock Fire and Rescue once again, brought down a fine looking truck for visitors to enjoy, and was joined by "A Family for ME".  Thank you for being with us, and your good work in the region.

Furbush-Roberts Printing, of Bangor, once more provided us with quality posters which were spread around Bangor, Brewer, Bar Harbor, and Ellsworth.  Furbush- Roberts does all NESCO's printing, and we recommend their services to anyone needing quality printing.  Thank you Tom and Caitlin!

Display's inside the cavernous shop building included some magnificent souvenirs from Odd Duck Foundry, New England Steam's shirts, hats, and railroad collectibles and the beautifully restored 470 turbogenerator, restored by A.C. Electric Company of Bangor.  The turbo was under power and illuminated 470s headlight, tender backup light, and the beautiful classification lights.  You may not know, but A.C. Electric restores Diesel locomotive traction motors and historic motors from museum trolleys.  We were honored by the presence of one of A.C.'s prime electrical technicians, who finished 470's turbogenerator.

Crowds began to flow in at 9:00AM and continued in a flood until 12:30PM.  The popular caboose hop in DESR's restored Reading caboose, continued to be the premier attraction.  Engineer Leverett Fernald and Downeast's volunteer docents kept the ride safe and operating all morning.  The special 1:00 train left the yard with a large contingent of happy passengers as well.

After reviewing the Hancock Fire Department's display, families took turns sitting at the throttles of ALCO Diesel #1055 and Davenport 0-4-0 #53.  The beckoning of the PERC steam whistle and 470's restored bell, this year mounted in the original yoke.  After blowing the whistle, supervised by director Paula Santos-Shevett, families met the PERC engineers who handed out ice cream cups - lots of ice cream cups!   Volunteer Jessica Morris, standing in the shade of the 470's tender, helped direct the bell ringing, and awarded each child with a souvenir sticker,  replicating a Maine Central pass from the 1950's.   Inside the shop building stood the frame and drive train of the 470, adorned with color photos of the locomotive in service.  Across from the frame director Bob DeWachter not only manned the 470's turbogenerator and light display, but kept a model live steam locomotive operating.  On his flanks were Odd Duck Foundry and New England Steam's gift and souvenir tables.  The feature of Governor's cookies and Art Shean's model trains, were the capper for the inside part of the event.

NESCO President Richard Glueck was interviewed by the WABI television, while other special visitors came by to meet company representatives and find out how they can help awaken 470.   

This was our fourth "Touch A Train" event.   The official count was 767 individuals who parked and shared the day with us; our largest crowd, yet.  The actual number may be even greater, as crowds took advantage of the day to "get in touch with their "inner train".  It couldn't have come off better for all parties.