CAMA fall festival might be end of line for steam train

KENT — Train buffs should  mark this year’s Connecticut Antique Machinery Association (CAMA) fall festival on their calendars. CAMA President John Pawloski said this could be the last time that visitors will be able to ride the restored Hawaii Railway Company’s 1925 steam locomotive — unless the association is able to raise the money to buy it.

The locomotive has been on  loan to the group for  10 years but now its anonymous owner wants to sell.

“CAMA has been given the first right of refusal for the sale,†Pawloski said. “We’re trying to raise $140,000 before the end of December so we can buy it and keep it here.

“The owner wants to sell it because he wants to take advantage of new charitable deduction laws in California, where he lives.â€

Pawloski said the locomotive has been appraised at between $350,000 and $500,000.

“He’s offering it to us at a real bargain price,†he said. “I hope people will be generous in contributing so we can keep this locomotive in Kent.â€

This is the 26th year for the fall festival (there is also an annual spring “power up,†when the association’s big rigs are started for the first time after the winter).

This year’s dates are Friday, Sept. 24, to Sunday, Sept. 26. The hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on all three days. Admission is $8 for adults, $4 for children over 5 (children under 5 are free). The museum is 1 mile north of the village of Kent and is next to the Sloane Stanley Museum on Route 7.

For more information, call the museum at 860-927-0050 or go online to ctmachinery.com.