Conway Junction Railroad Turntable Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Conway Junction Railroad Turntable Site
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | South Berwick, Maine |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1855 |
| Architectural style | Railroad Turntable |
| NRHP reference No. | 88003001 |
| Added to NRHP | January 5, 1989 |
Imagine a place where trains used to turn around! The Conway Junction Railroad Turntable Site in South Berwick, Maine, is what's left of a very important train hub. It has the round stone base of a railroad turntable and the foundation of a building where train engines were kept. This site is a special reminder of the old Great Falls and South Berwick Railroad. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989 because of its historical importance.
Contents
What is the Conway Junction Turntable Site?
The Conway Junction Turntable Site is found in South Berwick, Maine. It sits at the corner of Fife's Lane and Maine State Route 236. This area was once a busy center for trains.
Exploring the Turntable Foundation
The main part of the site is a large, round foundation. It is about 60 feet (18 meters) across. This round pit is about 2 feet (0.6 meters) deep. In the middle, there is a strong granite pillar. This pillar held up the giant turntable. The turntable helped trains turn around.
Discovering the Engine House Remains
Next to the turntable foundation, you can see another stone base. This three-sided granite foundation once supported an engine house. An engine house was like a garage for train engines. It was shaped like a wedge. This building was also called a roundhouse. Experts think the turntable was built around 1855.
A Look Back: History of Conway Junction
South Berwick became important for railroads very early. The first train line, the Portland, Saco and Portsmouth Railroad (PS&P), arrived in 1842. Then, the Boston and Maine Railroad (B&M) came in 1843. It connected with the PS&P in South Berwick.
How Conway Junction Became a Hub
Around 1855, the Great Falls and South Berwick Railroad built a new line. This line was about 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) long. It connected to the PS&P at this very spot. This area became the main office for the Great Falls and South Berwick Railroad. It was named Conway Junction. This was because it connected to the Portsmouth, Great Falls and Conway Railroad. That line offered service to Conway, New Hampshire.
The End of an Era
Trains used these tracks until 1936. The lines were completely closed in 1941. In the 1940s, Route 236 was built. It followed the old PS&P train path. Around this time, the turntable and engine house were taken apart. The path of the Great Falls and South Berwick line was also built over. Today, these stone foundations are the only things left. They remind us of this important railroad history.
