J. Craig Thorpe (American, B. 1948) "Maine Locomotive" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Paper.

Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.

This painting originally appeared on the Fleetwood Legendary Locomotives of the 50 States Maine Commemorative Cover postmarked November 4, 1994.

On November 4, 1905, the final segment of Maine's Bangor & Aroostook Railroad (BAR) was completed. Originally created to haul lumber, this railway gradually made the transition from carrying timber to transporting potatoes. Growing on land that was once forested, large crops of spuds replaced towering pines. Harvested potatoes were packed into the BAR's rail cars, each carrying an average load of 27.5 tons. During the late 1940s, nearly one and a half million tons of spuds traveled over the tracks of the BAR route. On several occasions Maine's harsh winters wreaked havoc on the operations of the BAR. "Potato drags" were known to freeze to the rails, causing workers to break the trains into smaller groups of cars in order to get them moving. Even spring thaws created problems for the line. Gaps made by frost holes caused the tracks to sink. However, track gangs kept the railway in top condition. The whole system was maintained with careful attention and was credited with championing dieselization, centralized traffic control and the use of 115-pound rail in Maine. Engine No. 172, one of the freight locomotives that moved the potato harvest, was a 2-8-0 type engine built in 1907 by the Rhode Island Locomotive Works.

Image Size: 14 x 12 in.
Overall Size: 18 x 15 in.
Unframed.
(B14881)

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