Train trips on the Maine Eastern Railroad travel along Maine's mid-coastline between Rockland and Brunswick. While this railroad is also an operating freight line, travelers ride in restored and climate-controlled vintage railcars. Trains are operational from May through foliage season, but the railroad also has several special trains and events throughout the year, such as the Halloween Boo-Choo-Choo Express and Christmas Santa Trains.
Operated by the Brooks Preservation Society, the once-abandoned Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railway now takes passengers down six miles of the original route. Trains depart May through October from the historic Brooks railroad station, which the organization is now restoring to its 1940s glory. These are short, inland excursions that last a little over an hour.
The Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington Railway is a two-foot narrow-gauge railroad that operated between 1894 and 1933. A relatively new tourist railroad, it uses a 0-4-0 steam locomotive to pull its trains April through December. Trains depart weekends at the old Sheepscot station, which also holds a museum with railroad artifacts, in Alna. These trips are short rides, but train enthusiasts will appreciate their vintage magic.
This modern railroad, operated by Amtrak and the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, offers five daily trips between Boston and several points along the Maine coast, including Portland. Passengers enjoy modern conveniences on these trains that are not available on the vintage railroads, such reclining seats, restrooms and a cafe which serves light meals and alcoholic beverages. An expansion project, which will extend the rail to Freeport and Brunswick, is scheduled for completion in 2012.
