B&M 1741 (GP9)

This is really great news to hear that B&M GP9 1741 is heading into preservation (at North Conway), thanks to the efforts of the 470 club!

Personally, I know very little about the locomotive other than it was one of the original 1950s B&M bluebirds. This was primarily a freight hauler, and she did so until around 2017.

Are there any interesting stories to tell about the engine?

For now...the railroad picture archive documents its life through several B&M paint schemes: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoPi ... px?id=6962
...and Sprinfield Terminal schemes as well: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoPi ... x?id=13063

IIRC I got a cab ride in 1741 around 1970 as local B-21 switched Owens-Illinois in Newburyport, MA. But that was just one of many rides that crew gave me, all in GP-7s and -9s (at that time the GP-18s mostly ran Mechanicville - Portland to stay out of the worst rock territory).

I suspect it will be restored (and I hope) to it's original "Blue Bird" paint scheme but I wouldn't be upset either, if they chose the 2nd rendering of the "Blue Dip" paint scheme, with Boston & Maine written in bold letters on the long hood.
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=2208006

Assuming it's not needed as a parts source before a restoration can occur, the plan is for the original Blue Bird paint scheme.

Eric

Anyone know if 1741 has made it's way to Conway yet?

I "checked out" the NHCR shop on Friday 8/6. The 72/1741 was parked in fron of the shop. LPG tankers are everywhere on the NHCR. There were even 10 LPG tankers on the SLR siiding at North Stratford.

Thanks for the updates on 1741's location. From what I hear, the 252 is being prepared to be moved up to the interchange where it will presumably be swapped out with 1741. No timeline on when any of this will happen still.