With the GP9 heritage restoration and paint program under way, Pan Am released a heritage unit of epic proportions today ! While doing a massive cleaning out of their former Billerica shops, a BL2 was discovered in a hermetically sealed area which was uncovered by accidental means. B & M 1550 was purchased new, along with 3 other BL2's in 1948 and stayed around until the four of them were traded back to EMD in 1961, or so we thought. History is sketchy at this point, though the 1550 was stored on the property in Billerica and never traded in.

The 1550 was in pristine condition overall, and was towed up to Waterville for maintainace and repairs, under the shroud of darkness and secrecy until the official unveiling today. The similarly painted 77 was also taken to Waterville, and will be coupled up with the 1550 to provide some amazing photo opportunities.

The 1550 will be housed in Waterville, and is scheduled to pull the next OCS, once some of the electronics are updated, and ditch lights installed.

Unknown photographer April 1, 2011.
Added to the photo archive by Jay Gadon, April 1, 2012.
Railroad: Pan Am Railways.

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