In spite of a drizzly forecast, spirits were high and the crew at the Maine Forest & Logging Museum turned a rainy Saturday into a remarkably productive work day. With teamwork, good humor, and a shared love for our living history, the volunteers tackled a hefty list of restoration tasks—and even made a bit of magic happen.
Preparing the Steam Lombard
The day began with a major clean-up job on the steam Lombard log hauler. The crew gave the boiler a thorough washout (goodbye, boiled acorns!) and reinstalled the washout plugs and steam dome cover. They then ran a compressed air test to check everything over. One stubborn plug sprang a leak, but with some quick thinking and steady hands, it was soon sealed and secure.
To prep the machine for its trip to the Northeast Loggers Expo, the volunteers also removed the smokestack and laid down the whistle—key steps in getting the historic hauler road-ready for its upcoming public appearance.
Work Across the Grounds
Meanwhile, restoration didn’t stop there. Teams also worked on the 1934 Lombard Tractor Truck, swapping out its skis, and shored up the 1919 Lombard Log Hauler by placing planking under its skis to stabilize it. The Cletrac tractor also got a bit of attention, showing how every corner of the grounds was buzzing with care and hands-on work.
A Gleaming Touch of History
One of the standout moments of the day? The 1919 Lombard received a very special upgrade—a set of factory-matching headlights, generously donated by Joe Puleo of Rhode Island. These finishing touches help keep the exhibit true to its original form and shine a literal light on the effort behind each restoration.
Thank You to the Volunteers
To Ryan, Jean, Tony, Paul, Cathy, John, James, Mike, and Alissa—thank you for an incredible day of hard work, good company, and progress. As one board member put it: “When you’re with good company and having fun, it’s never work.”
