I know some people are disappointed its more like a kiddie park now. But I'm just thankful that the equipment is even being maintained. It keeps my hopes up that it can one day have it glory restored.
Edaville has wonderful memories of me too, including memories of my father who both took me there and died far too young. It's not the place it once was (the line has been shortened to less than half the length) and the "original" steam is long gone, but it still exists and that's something.
This is so great. Just got back from taking my 16-month-old son to Edaville for the first time for the Festival of Lights.
I would have been 11 years old in 1992; my grandmother would take me to Edaville. I definitely had a "circle of life" moment in the parking lot, holding my son while the steam train went by. Not too proud to say I got a bit misty.
when you see them filling the water on number 4, look in the background between the tender and the first coach. you can see number 7 in the enginehouse receiving a new set of drive-wheels. the engine would be back up and ready in time for the festival of lights.
@xveganmuffinx I see the engine house...with the doors closed...do you have X-ray vision or inside information??
Edaville savior Nelson Blount preferred #8, while his best buddy and general manager Fred Richardson could always be found behind the throttle of #7. I got to run #8 and fire #7 in Maine - they were/are both fantastic machines. The Vulcans aren't as impressive mechanically, but they're sure a lot easier to fire.
@Superedit no, look at 0:44 the door is open- you can make out the very front of it behind a small diesel which is sitting just outside.
i knew this because i was there sometime around when this video was taken that summer. i was 7 years old and we spoke to an employee working on the locomotive. i was in heaven.
that's awesome that you've had those opportunities with 7&8. i wonder if mngrr will have them restored to operation anytime within the next 5 years. i'm doubting it.
@xveganmuffinx Ah, right you are - I never noticed that before. #7 is being restored, thanks to a large grant, but #8 rusts away in what passes for the engine house in Portland. If I even win the lottery, I'm gonna buy it and ship it off for some serious repairs. Even though they're almost identical, the two Baldwins "handle" like completely different locomotives. #7 soaks up the bumps like a Caddy, while you can feel every rail joint in #8.
this video is awesome... but this is summer of 1991. the railroad closed on january 3rd or 4th of 1992. i have a home video from the same summer. we rode behind number 4 and had the same conductor. the video was shot by my father and i was 7 years old. we knew the railroad was up for sale and we even have a statement made on camera by an edaville employee saying "there was no danger of it closing". i forget his name but he used to give kids rides in an old model A car. anyone remember that?
@xveganmuffinx To be fair, I think the plan was to keep it open even though it was for sale. The owner wasn't able to obtain a bridge loan to pay the rent during the "off season" as he had in years past, due to the downturn in the economy. That was pretty much the end of the Edaville we knew and loved - subsequent attempts to reopen the park fizzled and the current iteration - itself for sale - resembles a kiddie park more than a working railroad. Such a shame.
even though it is indeed a shell of its former self, the current owner, offering such a short time frame for the sale- is assuring it will be cut up and developed into more real estate plots.
@xveganmuffinx I remember riding on a antique firetruck. I use to go every year when I was a kid and the same guy that drove it would let me sit up in front with him. Soo many memories of that place.
I remember going here with my parents in 1999 i believe, such a nice place but has had trouble keeping open like you said. I hope the next company who buys the Edaville RR will strongly invest in order to keep it alive for the many more years to come. Great Video brings back memories!
I know some people are disappointed its more like a kiddie park now. But I'm just thankful that the equipment is even being maintained. It keeps my hopes up that it can one day have it glory restored.
MachetePanda 2 weeks ago
Edaville has wonderful memories of me too, including memories of my father who both took me there and died far too young. It's not the place it once was (the line has been shortened to less than half the length) and the "original" steam is long gone, but it still exists and that's something.
Superedit 2 months ago
This is so great. Just got back from taking my 16-month-old son to Edaville for the first time for the Festival of Lights.
I would have been 11 years old in 1992; my grandmother would take me to Edaville. I definitely had a "circle of life" moment in the parking lot, holding my son while the steam train went by. Not too proud to say I got a bit misty.
Thanks for posting this video.
frufan100 2 months ago
I haz DVD on this line.
Trainfanz 3 months ago
monson/edaville #3 was the first steam engine I ever rode on. Cranberry Festival 1996
1981deloreanfan 10 months ago
when you see them filling the water on number 4, look in the background between the tender and the first coach. you can see number 7 in the enginehouse receiving a new set of drive-wheels. the engine would be back up and ready in time for the festival of lights.
xveganmuffinx 1 year ago
@xveganmuffinx I see the engine house...with the doors closed...do you have X-ray vision or inside information??
Edaville savior Nelson Blount preferred #8, while his best buddy and general manager Fred Richardson could always be found behind the throttle of #7. I got to run #8 and fire #7 in Maine - they were/are both fantastic machines. The Vulcans aren't as impressive mechanically, but they're sure a lot easier to fire.
Superedit 1 year ago
@Superedit no, look at 0:44 the door is open- you can make out the very front of it behind a small diesel which is sitting just outside.
i knew this because i was there sometime around when this video was taken that summer. i was 7 years old and we spoke to an employee working on the locomotive. i was in heaven.
that's awesome that you've had those opportunities with 7&8. i wonder if mngrr will have them restored to operation anytime within the next 5 years. i'm doubting it.
xveganmuffinx 1 year ago
@xveganmuffinx Ah, right you are - I never noticed that before. #7 is being restored, thanks to a large grant, but #8 rusts away in what passes for the engine house in Portland. If I even win the lottery, I'm gonna buy it and ship it off for some serious repairs. Even though they're almost identical, the two Baldwins "handle" like completely different locomotives. #7 soaks up the bumps like a Caddy, while you can feel every rail joint in #8.
Superedit 1 year ago
this video is awesome... but this is summer of 1991. the railroad closed on january 3rd or 4th of 1992. i have a home video from the same summer. we rode behind number 4 and had the same conductor. the video was shot by my father and i was 7 years old. we knew the railroad was up for sale and we even have a statement made on camera by an edaville employee saying "there was no danger of it closing". i forget his name but he used to give kids rides in an old model A car. anyone remember that?
xveganmuffinx 1 year ago
@xveganmuffinx To be fair, I think the plan was to keep it open even though it was for sale. The owner wasn't able to obtain a bridge loan to pay the rent during the "off season" as he had in years past, due to the downturn in the economy. That was pretty much the end of the Edaville we knew and loved - subsequent attempts to reopen the park fizzled and the current iteration - itself for sale - resembles a kiddie park more than a working railroad. Such a shame.
Superedit 1 year ago
@Superedit
even though it is indeed a shell of its former self, the current owner, offering such a short time frame for the sale- is assuring it will be cut up and developed into more real estate plots.
xveganmuffinx 1 year ago
@xveganmuffinx I remember riding on a antique firetruck. I use to go every year when I was a kid and the same guy that drove it would let me sit up in front with him. Soo many memories of that place.
15georgest 2 months ago
I remember going here in the late 70's and mid 80's it was always so fun
amzie33 1 year ago
I remember going here with my parents in 1999 i believe, such a nice place but has had trouble keeping open like you said. I hope the next company who buys the Edaville RR will strongly invest in order to keep it alive for the many more years to come. Great Video brings back memories!
Tcostello105 1 year ago