Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad - Portland, ME
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NorStar
N 43° 39.733 W 070° 14.753
19T E 399547 N 4835111
The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad is a museum about the legacy of Maine's 2-foot narrow gauge railroads and runs a train all along Portland's waterfront, providing great views of Casco Bay.
Waymark Code: WM7AZN
Location: Maine, United States
Date Posted: 09/28/2009
Views: 22
Off Fore Street in the city of Portland, Maine, is the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad. This museum has a vintage collection of railroad equipment that used to run on 2 foot narrow gauge tracks on railroads in the interior sections of Maine.
The address is 58 Fore Street. The driveway from Fore Street will take you between buildings that were once occupied by the Portland Company, which had at one time made steam locomotives, steam boats and other metal fabricated things. The museum is located in one of these buildings, but is facing the crossing and loading areas for the trains. In the museum are several things of note. There are several passenger coaches and at least one inspection vehicle. There are pictures, maps, and other artifacts. The museum is also where you purchase the tickets for the trains.
The trains run on a 2-foot gauge track that runs along the shore. The trip is a shuttle to one end, then to the other end, then returning to the middle where the loading platform is located. Along the tracks is a paved trail where joggers, walkers, and bikers travel. The train goes at a leisurely pace, so don't be surprised to see that you are being passed! One end of trip is at the foot of a bridge, where you have the best views of Casco Bay. At the other end, you pass through working piers. The passenger cars are a mixture of open and enclosed styles. The locomotives can be either diesel or steam - check the web site for information about what is running and if there are any special events such as Thomas the Tank Engine or Polar Express.
Maine's two foot railroads were started around 1876 and continued to flourish until World War II. These railroads required less powered and lighter equipment to run, and, thus the operating expenses were less than a 'full-gauge' railroad. After WWII, this equipment was brought down to Carver, Massachusetts to run at Edaville Railroad. In the 1980s, Edaville temporarily closed down and the equipment was purchased and brought back to Maine.
The museum's efforts, currently, are to restore their steam locomotives and maintain the main line. More information is available on their web site.
Engine Type: Tourist line has more than one engine of various types
Gauge of Railway: Narrow
Approximate Adult Fare: 10.00 (listed in local currency)
Approximate Child Fare: 6.00 (listed in local currency)
Type: Spur (out and back)
Length of Route: 3 miles round trip
Dates of Operation: From: 01/01/2009 To: 12/31/2009
Frequency of departures: On the hour
Key Attractions:
The museum has many 'last of its kind' equipment and the vistas are among the best of any scenic railroad.
Does this Scenic Railroad Provide: Brunch, Lunch or Dinner Trains?: no
Railroad Website: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:Provide a picture of something with the train. Possible photos include the entertainment on board the train, the train itself at any location along the route, a picture of the scenery with part of the train in view, the kids borrowing the engineer’s hat. Show us you had a good time visiting the train. If the train isn't running when you visit get a photo of one of the many railway related items that can be found in locations like this.