Many years ago, before diving into the 1:64 modelling pool, I built a freelanced model railway based on the two-foot gauge lines in Maine. I wrote a lot about my Maine On2 layout in the pages of Railroad Model Craftsman magazine – and then, about 10 years after embarking on that adventure, I tore down the layout and packed it all up to focus on my Port Rowan adventure.
But I didn’t get rid of my equipment. I liked the stuff and thought I’d do something with it again sometime, so it all went into storage.
I exchange emails regularly with my friends Herbert “Matt” Matthews and Terry Smith – two other fans of Maine narrow gauge. The three of us became the keepers of the MaineOn2 FAQ after the death of its founder, Bill Kerr – although it must be said Terry has done the lion’s share of this work, while Matt and I have acted primarily as his cheerleaders and sounding boards. (That collaboration built the friendships and I’m grateful to the hobby for bringing us together.)
Recently, Terry – who lives in the UK – has hauled some of his On2 equipment out to local shows and has shared exhibition reports with Matt and me. They’ve been so inspiring that when I started building a new, multi-gauge test track for my workshop, I included On2 gauge (0.5″) as one of the choices. I’m glad I did.
Having laid the track, I thought I should make use of it at some point and while repacking some of my storage boxes today I hauled out four candidates for attention:
Of all my Maine On2 equipment, I think these three ex-Eustis RR Forneys are my favourites. I like the proportions – and once I had them tuned up by my friend Dave Burroughs they became my best-running examples of locomotives from the Standard Gauge of Maine. Number 21 is the only locomotive I finished with a crew, glass in the cab, and lettering, but it became my go-to motive power.
I don’t need more projects and I’m not sure where this is going, but it would be nice to see Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes RR 20, 21, and 22 run again – even if just back and forth on 10 feet of test track. So I’ve rescued the Forneys from storage – along with my model of the SR&RL’s rail auto. I’ll upgrade the decoders when the mood strikes then finish the models. I think they could use nicer crew figures and perhaps some other details.
Meantime, you can enjoy this vintage film of the Somerset & Piscataquis Counties Railroad, featuring Number 21 prepping a mixed train for departure from Snowdon, Maine…
The Model Railway Show 