By Justin Franz 

CSX Transportation has donated a former Pan Am Railways wreck train to the 470 Railroad Club of Portland, Me. The train, which includes a former Boston & Maine crane and support cars from the Maine Central, will be moved to the Conway Scenic Railroad in New Hampshire in 2024 for restoration, display, and eventual operation. 

Club officials say the money for the move has already been raised and the equipment, currently in Waterville, Me.,  is expected to move west next year. However, before that can happen, two bridges on the former B&M Groveton Branch must be upgraded to handle the weight of the 200-ton crane. CSRR and the state of New Hampshire are teaming up on those efforts. The 470 Railroad Club is currently raising money for the restoration of the equipment to its B&M and MEC appearances. Donations can be made at GoFundMe. 

The former Boston & Maine crane that has been donated to the 470 Club by CSX. Photo Courtesy of the 470 Railroad Club. 

The equipment donated to the 470 Club includes 1929 Industrial Brownhoist 200 Ton Crane B&M 3365; Boom Flat B&M 524, Tool/Cable Boxcar MEC 546; Cable Boxcar MEC 545; and crew quarters/baggage coach BM 309. 

Pan Am maintained two wreck trains, one in Waterville and another in East Deerfield, Mass. Both were working until the CSX takeover of PAR in 2022. Other pieces of former Pan Am equipment have been donated to various museums around New England. Just last week, a former MEC plow was trucked to the Downeast Scenic Railroad.