Maine Railfan's video: 4K Chasing a GE70Tonner on the Downeast Scenic Railroad 10 9 2021

On 10/9/2021, while visiting my grandparents in Ellsworth, I decided to chase the Downeast Scenic (A railroad I haven't given much attention to in recent years). I was lucky enough to get the 54 (Originally built for the Berlin Mills Railway in Berlin, NH before being sold to the BML in the 90's, and sold to the DSRX in the 2000's). This locomotive was used a lot in the first few years of operations, but Alco S-4 1055 gradually took over operations, due to the superior horsepower, over the 600-800 HP GE70Tonner. GE70Tonners have become somewhat rare over the past decade, due to a lack of parts, and a surplus of cheap 1st generation EMD power. The Downeast Scenic and the Belfast and Moosehead Lake both had 70Tonners until a few years ago, when the B&ML sidelined its remaining operational locomotives after it became clear, the two would need to be rebuilt. This makes the 54, one of only a handful of 70Tonners left in operating condition in the world. The Downeast Scenic has a variety of cars, including a exD&H combine car (102), a former MEC wooden coach (155), a converted Paul Bunyan log car which is now a open air car (, a former Deleware Lackawana and Western commuter coach (123), in addition to a MEC flat car (I forgot the number, but I believe its owned by the Maine DOT along with another similar car in Rockland), a exBAR Paul Bunyan log car now used as a MOW flat (26), a former Reading Caboose (2608), a exB&ML and potentially a former BAR ballast hopper (46), a former BAR mechanical reefer now used as storage (no number), and a exMEC wooden boxcar now used as a office (925). For motive power, the railroad has a privately owned 15 ton Davenport switcher (53) which is used as back up, to the back up, a GE70Tonner (54) built for the Berlin Mills Railway which was part of a two unit order, both of which went to the B&ML where it became the 54, and the other one was scrapped. And finally Alco S-4 (1055) which was built for the Portland Terminal Railroad (subsidiary of the Maine Central) before going to the Conway Scenic in the 80's or 90's, and eventually ending up at the Downeast Scenic. The Downeast Scenic is located on the former MEC Calais Branch (Brewer-Calais). In the early 2000's, the Washington Junction-Ayers Junction section was removed, despite a shortline showing interest in the line. Since then the Downeast Scenic has slowly been expanding west towards Green Lake from Washington Junction. The railroad has also worked with trail groups to build two rail-with-trail alternatives to removing the rail. Hopefully this partnership will continue in the future. For more info on the Downeast Scenic, check out their website: https://www.downeastscenicrail.org/ Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/Maine-Railfan-1557326820980856/ Follow us on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/mainerailfan/ Copyright Maine Railfan 2021 All Rights Reserved