Portland Company
Encyclopedia
John A. Poor
John Alfred Poor was an American lawyer, editor, and entrepreneur best remembered for his association with the Grand Trunk Railway and his role in developing the railroad system in Maine. He was the older brother of Henry Varnum Poor of Standard & Poor's, who was his partner in some business...
and Norris Locomotive Works
Norris Locomotive Works
The Norris Locomotive Works was a steam locomotive manufacturing company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that produced about a thousand railroad engines between 1832 and 1866. It was the dominant American locomotive producer during most of that period, and even sold its popular 4-2-0 engines...
engineer Septimus Norris
Septimus Norris
Septimus Norris was an American mechanical engineer and steam locomotive designer. He was the youngest of three brothers all active in the field — his eldest brother William Norris founded the Norris Locomotive Works of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Richard Norris took over the firm in about...
as a locomotive
Locomotive
A locomotive is a railway vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. The word originates from the Latin loco – "from a place", ablative of locus, "place" + Medieval Latin motivus, "causing motion", and is a shortened form of the term locomotive engine, first used in the early 19th...
foundry
Foundry
A foundry is a factory that produces metal castings. Metals are cast into shapes by melting them into a liquid, pouring the metal in a mold, and removing the mold material or casting after the metal has solidified as it cools. The most common metals processed are aluminum and cast iron...
to build railroad equipment for the adjacent Portland terminus of the Atlantic and St. Lawrence Railroad connection between Portland
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
, Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
and Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
. The shops opened for business in October, 1847. Its first locomotive, the Augusta, emerged from the shops in July 1848 for delivery to the Portland, Saco & Portsmouth (later part of the Boston and Maine Railroad
Boston and Maine Railroad
The Boston and Maine Corporation , known as the Boston and Maine Railroad until 1964, was the dominant railroad of the northern New England region of the United States for a century...
). Over the next several decades, the Company produced in its Fore Street facilities over 600 steam locomotives as well as 160 merchant and naval vessels, railcars, construction equipment, Knox automobiles, and the like. Portland Company built the engines of the civil war side-wheel gunboats and . Taking into account its other products, the Company could lay claim to being one of the leading medium-to-heavy steel manufacturers in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
. The company ceased production in 1978.
Presently, according to The Portland Company Complex website, the site has become a marine-oriented complex with a small marina
Marina
A marina is a dock or basin with moorings and supplies for yachts and small boats.A marina differs from a port in that a marina does not handle large passenger ships or cargo from freighters....
, several marine as well as other office tenants and the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum
The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Company and Museum is located in Portland, Maine, United States. The organization was founded in 1993 and contains a collection of rolling stock and artifacts from the gauge narrow gauge railroads that ran in the state of Maine in the late 19th century and early...
.
5'6"-gauge locomotives for the Atlantic and St. Lawrence Railroad
| Works number | Date | Type | Weight | Drivers | Cylinders | A&StL# | Name | GTR # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | September 1848 | 4-4-0 4-4-0 Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 4-4-0 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles , four powered and coupled driving wheels on two axles, and no trailing wheels... |
23 tons | 60" | 15x22 | 1 | Montreal | 101 |
| 5 | 30 December 1848 | 4-4-0 | 23 tons | 60" | 15x22 | 2 | Machigonne | 102 |
| 6 | 24 February 1849 | 4-4-0 | 22 tons | 60" | 15x22 | 3 | (1st) Oxford | 103 |
| 8 | 16 May 1849 | 4-4-0 | 24 tons | 60" | 14x20 | 4 | William P. Preble | 104 |
| 13 | 30 December 1949 | 4-4-0 | 22 tons | 66" | 15x20 | 5 | Waterville | 105 |
| 14 | 1 February 1850 | 4-4-0 | 22 tons | 66" | 15x20 | 6 | Coos | 106 |
| 18 | 1850 | 4-4-0 | 25 tons | 60" | 15x20 | 26 | Jenny Lind | |
| 19 | January 1851 | 4-4-0 | 22 tons | 60" | 15x20 | 7 | Felton | 107 |
| 20 | June 1851 | 4-4-0 | 24 tons | 54" | 17x22 | 8 | Railway King | 108 |
| 28 | December 1851 | 4-4-0 | 22 tons | 60" | 14x20 | 9 | Casco | 109 |
| 29 | January 1852 | 4-4-0 | 22 tons | 66" | 15x20 | 10 | Forest City | 110 |
| 30 | March 1852 | 4-4-0 | 20 tons | 60" | 13x20 | 11 | Danville | 111 |
| 31 | 1852 | 4-4-0 | 23 tons | 60" | 13x20 | 27 | Consuelo | |
| 32 | May 1852 | 4-4-0 | 22 tons | 60" | 14x22 | 12 | Falmouth | 112 |
| 36 | 11 November 1852 | 4-4-0 | 22 tons | 60" | 15x20 | 13 | Daniel Webster | 113 |
| 40 | January 1853 | 4-4-0 | 24 tons | 60" | 16x22 | 14 | Cumberland | 114 |
| 41 | April 1853 | 4-4-0 | 24 tons | 60" | 16x22 | 17 | Norway | 117 |
| 42 | 27 January 1853 | 4-4-0 | 21 tons | 66" | 14x22 | 15 | Nulhegan | 115 |
| 43 | 11 April 1853 | 4-4-0 | 23 tons | 72" | 15x22 | 16 | Paris | 116 |
| 44 | 24 June 1853 | 4-4-0 | 23 tons | 66" | 15x22 | 20 | Gloucester | 120 |
| 45 | 23 May 1853 | 4-4-0 | 24 tons | 60" | 15x22 | 18 | Yarmouth | 118 |
| 46 | June 1853 | 4-4-0 | 24 tons | 60" | 15x22 | 19 | Amonoosuc | 119 |
| 48 | 20 September 1853 | 4-4-0 | 24 tons | 60" | 16x22 | 21 | Vermont | 121 |
| 49 | 16 November 1853 | 4-4-0 | 22 tons | 72" | 14x22 | 22 | Gorham | 122 |
| 56 | 1 December 1853 | 4-4-0 | 23 tons | 72" | 15x22 | 23 | J.S.Little | 123 |
Two-Foot Gauge Locomotives
In 1890, The Portland Company acquired patterns used by the Hinkley Locomotive WorksHinkley Locomotive Works
Hinkley Locomotive Works was one of a number of railroad steam locomotive manufacturers of the United States in the 19th century.-History:The company that was to become known as Hinkley Locomotive Works got its start in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1831. Holmes Hinkley and his partner Daniel F...
for 2-foot gauge locomotives. Portland improved the pattern into the most successful design on Maine's 2-foot gauge railroads. The Portland design retained ornate Victorian features including capped domes and a cab roof with graceful reversing curvature. The first of the design was the heaviest and most powerful locomotive on any of the Maine 2-foot gauge railroads at the time of delivery. Portland locomotives became the standard for passenger service as larger freight engines were built. Portland locomotives were subsequently used for yard service and on lines with lighter rail. Portland Company was the dominant manufacturer of freight cars for the Maine 2-foot gauge railroads between 1890 and 1907.
The final 2-foot gauge locomotive built by The Portland Company was a less successful enlargement of the original design. Vulcan Iron Works
Vulcan Iron Works
Since Vulcan was the Roman god of fire and smithery, the name was an obvious choice for an iron foundry or mechanical engineering works in the nineteenth century, both in England, the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, and in the United States.-England:...
built two modernized versions of Portland's basic design for the Monson Railroad
Monson Railroad
The Monson Railroad was a gauge narrow gauge railroad which operated between Monson Junction on the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad and Monson, Maine. The primary purpose of this railroad was to serve several slate mines and finishing houses in Monson...
in 1913 and 1918 after Portland Company ceased manufacture of railway locomotives. The basic Portland design pulled the last Kennebec Central Railroad train in 1929, the last Wiscasset, Waterville, and Farmington Railway train in 1933, and the last Monson Railroad
Monson Railroad
The Monson Railroad was a gauge narrow gauge railroad which operated between Monson Junction on the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad and Monson, Maine. The primary purpose of this railroad was to serve several slate mines and finishing houses in Monson...
train in 1943.
| Works number | Date | Type | Weight | Railroad | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 615 | 7 October 1890 | 0-4-4 0-4-4 Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 0-4-4 represents the wheel arrangement of no leading wheels, four powered and coupled driving wheels on two axles, and four trailing wheels on two axles... Forney locomotive Forney locomotive The Forney is a type of tank locomotive patented by Matthias N. Forney between 1861 and 1864. Forney locomotives include the following characteristics:* An 0-4-4T wheel arrangement, that is four driving wheels followed by a truck with four wheels.... |
18 tons | Phillips and Rangeley Railroad Phillips and Rangeley Railroad The Phillips and Rangeley Railroad was a gauge narrow gauge common carrier railroad in the State of Maine.It connected the towns of Phillips and Rangeley and was built to serve the forestry and resort industries of Franklin County. This railroad pioneered the use of large 2-foot gauge rolling... |
1 | became Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad The Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad was a narrow gauge common carrier railroad that operated approximately of gauge railroad in Franklin County, Maine.-History:Josiah L... #7 |
| 616 | 22 October 1890 | 0-4-4 0-4-4 Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 0-4-4 represents the wheel arrangement of no leading wheels, four powered and coupled driving wheels on two axles, and four trailing wheels on two axles... Forney locomotive Forney locomotive The Forney is a type of tank locomotive patented by Matthias N. Forney between 1861 and 1864. Forney locomotives include the following characteristics:* An 0-4-4T wheel arrangement, that is four driving wheels followed by a truck with four wheels.... |
18 tons | Sandy River Railroad Sandy River Railroad The Sandy River Railroad was built to serve the towns of Strong and Phillips in the Sandy River valley upstream of Farmington. The Sandy River Railroad was the first narrow gauge common carrier railroad built in the State of Maine.- History :... |
4 | became Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad The Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad was a narrow gauge common carrier railroad that operated approximately of gauge railroad in Franklin County, Maine.-History:Josiah L... #5 |
| 621 | December 1890 | 0-4-4 0-4-4 Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 0-4-4 represents the wheel arrangement of no leading wheels, four powered and coupled driving wheels on two axles, and four trailing wheels on two axles... Forney locomotive Forney locomotive The Forney is a type of tank locomotive patented by Matthias N. Forney between 1861 and 1864. Forney locomotives include the following characteristics:* An 0-4-4T wheel arrangement, that is four driving wheels followed by a truck with four wheels.... |
Kennebec Central Railroad | 2 | ||
| 622 | 2 May 1891 | 0-4-4 0-4-4 Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 0-4-4 represents the wheel arrangement of no leading wheels, four powered and coupled driving wheels on two axles, and four trailing wheels on two axles... Forney locomotive Forney locomotive The Forney is a type of tank locomotive patented by Matthias N. Forney between 1861 and 1864. Forney locomotives include the following characteristics:* An 0-4-4T wheel arrangement, that is four driving wheels followed by a truck with four wheels.... |
18 tons | Sandy River Railroad Sandy River Railroad The Sandy River Railroad was built to serve the towns of Strong and Phillips in the Sandy River valley upstream of Farmington. The Sandy River Railroad was the first narrow gauge common carrier railroad built in the State of Maine.- History :... |
5 | became Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad The Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad was a narrow gauge common carrier railroad that operated approximately of gauge railroad in Franklin County, Maine.-History:Josiah L... #6 then Kennebec Central Railroad #4 then Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington Railway Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington Railway The Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington Railway is a gauge railway which operated from Wiscasset, Maine to Albion and Winslow, Maine. It was operated as a for-profit company from 1895 until 1933... #9 preserved WW&F Railway Museum |
| 624 | 14 April 1892 | 0-4-4 0-4-4 Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 0-4-4 represents the wheel arrangement of no leading wheels, four powered and coupled driving wheels on two axles, and four trailing wheels on two axles... Forney locomotive Forney locomotive The Forney is a type of tank locomotive patented by Matthias N. Forney between 1861 and 1864. Forney locomotives include the following characteristics:* An 0-4-4T wheel arrangement, that is four driving wheels followed by a truck with four wheels.... |
19 tons | Bridgton and Saco River Railroad Bridgton and Saco River Railroad The Bridgton and Saco River Railroad was a gauge railroad that operated in the vicinity of Bridgton and Harrison, Maine. It connected with the Portland and Ogdensburg Railroad from Portland, Maine, to St... |
3 | became Kennebec Central Railroad #3 then Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington Railway Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington Railway The Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington Railway is a gauge railway which operated from Wiscasset, Maine to Albion and Winslow, Maine. It was operated as a for-profit company from 1895 until 1933... #8 |
| 626 | November 1894 | 0-4-4 0-4-4 Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 0-4-4 represents the wheel arrangement of no leading wheels, four powered and coupled driving wheels on two axles, and four trailing wheels on two axles... Forney locomotive Forney locomotive The Forney is a type of tank locomotive patented by Matthias N. Forney between 1861 and 1864. Forney locomotives include the following characteristics:* An 0-4-4T wheel arrangement, that is four driving wheels followed by a truck with four wheels.... |
19 tons | Wiscasset and Quebec Railroad | 2 | |
| 627 | November 1894 | 0-4-4 0-4-4 Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 0-4-4 represents the wheel arrangement of no leading wheels, four powered and coupled driving wheels on two axles, and four trailing wheels on two axles... Forney locomotive Forney locomotive The Forney is a type of tank locomotive patented by Matthias N. Forney between 1861 and 1864. Forney locomotives include the following characteristics:* An 0-4-4T wheel arrangement, that is four driving wheels followed by a truck with four wheels.... |
19 tons | Wiscasset and Quebec Railroad | 3 | |
| 628 | November 1906 | 2-4-4 2-4-4 In Whyte notation, a 2-4-4 is a steam locomotive with two unpowered leading wheels followed by four powered driving wheels and four unpowered trailing wheels.-Equivalent classifications:Other equivalent classifications are:... Forney locomotive Forney locomotive The Forney is a type of tank locomotive patented by Matthias N. Forney between 1861 and 1864. Forney locomotives include the following characteristics:* An 0-4-4T wheel arrangement, that is four driving wheels followed by a truck with four wheels.... |
27 tons | Bridgton and Saco River Railroad Bridgton and Saco River Railroad The Bridgton and Saco River Railroad was a gauge railroad that operated in the vicinity of Bridgton and Harrison, Maine. It connected with the Portland and Ogdensburg Railroad from Portland, Maine, to St... |
5 |