1969 Steam Locomotive "The Constitution"

Step into the golden era of steam railroading and imagine standing trackside as the powerful roar of the P4A Pacific #3713, The Constitution, fills the air. This vintage 1969 postcard lets you relive the Boston & Maine Railroad’s “Farewell to Steam” excursion on April 22, 1956, capturing the excitement, nostalgia, and romance of a bygone age when steam locomotives ruled the rails. It’s a moment every railfan dreams of preserving.

The train is pictured departing Dover, New Hampshire, after a photo run-by over the Cocheco River bridge on its route from Boston to Portland. This trip marked the last steam-powered passenger service operated by the Boston & Maine Railroad, a milestone in New England rail history.

Locomotive #3713 was built in 1934 by the Lima Locomotive Works and spent its career hauling passenger trains across the region. After retirement, it was preserved, eventually loaned to the Boston Museum of Science, and is now undergoing restoration at the Steamtown National Historic Site.

Collectors prize this postcard for its depiction of the final steam-era excursion and the historic locomotive itself. It would display beautifully framed or serve as a standout addition to any steam locomotive, Boston & Maine, or New England railroad collection.

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