MEC 402 S Portland, Me 5/14/1981
With last_mec_dispatcher in the Arizona desert for the winter away from his slides and unable to provide a U18 theme for us, I'll make a modest attempt at one. It starts with an unusual roster shot posting of #402 at the Rigby Yd engine terminal on May 14, 1981.
10 U18B's were purchased new by the MEC in mid 1975 and named the Independence class to honor the upcoming bicentennial. Each one of them was given a name for a New England Revolutionary hero, battle, or place.
General John Stark was given to #402. General Stark distinguished himself in several battles including Bunker Hill in Boston. Bennington, and Saratoga. He is credited with the phrase Live Free or Die which became the New Hampshire state motto. In addition to his name going on MEC #402, his name also went to Stark County Ohio, which is where I grew up.
MEC 402 S Portland, Me 5/14/1981
With last_mec_dispatcher in the Arizona desert for the winter away from his slides and unable to provide a U18 theme for us, I'll make a modest attempt at one. It starts with an unusual roster shot posting of #402 at the Rigby Yd engine terminal on May 14, 1981.
10 U18B's were purchased new by the MEC in mid 1975 and named the Independence class to honor the upcoming bicentennial. Each one of them was given a name for a New England Revolutionary hero, battle, or place.
General John Stark was given to #402. General Stark distinguished himself in several battles including Bunker Hill in Boston. Bennington, and Saratoga. He is credited with the phrase Live Free or Die which became the New Hampshire state motto. In addition to his name going on MEC #402, his name also went to Stark County Ohio, which is where I grew up.