Steamtown Reject Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Oceanic815: Taking this evil, much favorited one down as we prepare to pull up stakes in area and go RV'ing around the country for a few years. Thanks for all the faves and visits. Don't worry, I'm sure someone will put some in local parking lot light poles or guardrails to replace the hole in map...

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Hidden : 4/4/2008
Difficulty:
4.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

CAUTION While there were none when the cache was hidden, there may be bee’s nests in and around the cache location during the spring and summer. Look for activity before you seek.




YES, IT'S A NANO!!!


There is ample parking nearby, but please do not seek during hours of operation of nearby business. Bring your own pen, and please replace cache container EXACTLY where found (otherwise, I may have a hard time finding it again to do maintenance!) Also, be cautious if you bring kids, as this is right on side of a road.

I’ve occasionally driven by here and wondered how this little collection of locomotives came to be here – and more recently thought “what a good spot for an evil cache”. This cache is at an 0-4-0T tank engine, originally owned by the Massachusetts Electric Company. If you look closely at the paint work on the boiler sides, you can faintly make out the word “Massachusetts”. I believe the engine was made by the H.K. Porter company, perhaps around 1902.

The following information was found at the SteamLocomotive.com website,which is a good resource for finding where old steam engines are now:

In 1963 or 1964 Nelson Blount moved his Steamtown U.S.A. steam locomotive collection to a new site (Steamtown was moved several times before). This latest location was at the former site of a proposed Rutland yard in Riverside, near Bellows Falls, VT. Tracks fanning out from a turntable provided an excellent place to display his collection of steam. Regular excursions were run between Riverside and Chester.

Tragedy struck in 1967 when Nelson Blount was killed when his private plane crashed into a tree in Marlborough, NH. Nelson was only 49. This event took a lot of steam out of Steamtown. Most of the operational steam locomotives were either sold or fell into disrepair. Then, in 1970, Vermont passed air quality regulations which prohibited steam operations. Diesel locomotives were then used on Steamtown excursions, however, ridership fell dramatically. Despite the air quality regulations, the Steamtown Foundation again began operating with a steam locomotive. By 1983, Steamtown again had many (six) operating steam locomotives.

Despite the resurrection of steam locomotives, Steamtown was in financial trouble. It was determined that the main problem was its location -- isolated from any major population center. In 1984, Steamtown was moved to Scranton, PA. Still losing money, the Steamtown Foundation went bankrupt in 1986. Congress created the Steamtown National Historic Site and the National Park Service acquired the collection.

This Massachusetts Electric 0-4-0T #1 engine was sold at the final Steamtown USA auction in 1988 to a private owner. It is now in an industrial park in Oaks, PA.

You can make out "Steamtown 1" painted on the side of the cab.

Update Sept 6, 2008- difficulty raised to 4.5 due to string of DNF's.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

1. Abg ba gur ebnq fvqr 2. Abg va gur pno

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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