MONSON — The Monson Historical Society has a dream to fulfill.

Society members hope to persuade the owner of two of the former railroad engines that once chugged through Monson as part of the Narrow Gauge Railroad to display one of them during the town’s 175th celebration slated in 1997.

While the members have not yet discussed their plans with Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. and Museum in Portland, owner of Engine 3 and Engine 4, fund raising has begun in the effort should their pending request be honored.

Althea French, treasurer of the society, said the project began when the families of the late Merwin and Vernon Wilson, who have historical ties to Monson, gave money in their memory to the society. Because Merwin Wilson of Milford, Conn., was a train history buff, members decided the money would be earmarked for a campaign to get one of the engines for display during the celebration.

The society also received a gift of 160 booklets that were reproductions of “The Switzerland of Maine,” and “The Monson Railroad and Its Proposed Extension” published by Edwin Robertson of Westbrook. The booklets were donated to the society by Richard Marshall of Augusta, who also has historical ties with the town. The proceeds from the sale of these booklets, available at the Monson Town Office, Page’s General Store or from French, will be used for this campaign.

“This is not a fantasy, really this is something that could come to pass,” said French.

French said Engine 3 is actively in use, but Engine 4 is retired.

Engine 3 and 4 were scrapped in 1943 and the rest of the Narrow Gauge Railroad stock was dismantled. The iron was shipped elsewhere to be used during World War II, according to French. The engines ended up in a New York junk yard until the owners of a cranberry bog in South Carver, Mass., retrieved them for a working train to be used in the cranberry harvest, she said.

The engines were later acquired by the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. and Museum, which is open to the public.