By Justin Franz 

A Boston & Maine GP9 could soon return to service in the Granite State thanks to efforts by the 470 Railroad Club. 

In 2020, the Maine-based non-profit announced that it had purchased former B&M GP9 1741 from Utah’s Heber Valley Railroad. The GP9, presently numbered 72, was one of three locomotives the Heber Valley purchased from Pan Am Railways in 2018. However, unlike the other two (Pan Am’s B&M and Maine Central “heritage” units 77 and 52), this one was never sent west. It has since been moved to the Conway Scenic Railroad in New Hampshire where it is being worked on. 

So far new traction motors have been installed and air brake and wiring work completed. Other things that will need to be done before it can operate again is the replacement of the cab floor and carbody work. It will also receive a new coat of paint: B&M blue. 

The 72 is one of four surviving B&M GP9s: two at the Heber Valley and another is at the Railroad Museum of New England in Connecticut.