Downeast Scenic Railroad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Downeast Scenic Railroad |
|
|---|---|
| Locale | Maine |
| Terminus | Calais |
| Commercial operations | |
| Name | Calais Branch |
| Built by | Maine Central Railroad |
| Original gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Preserved operations | |
| Owned by | Track owned by Maine DOT |
| Operated by | Downeast Rail Heritage Trust |
| Reporting mark | DSRX |
| Length | 4 miles (6.4 km) (2010) 13 miles (21 km) (2019) |
| Preserved gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Commercial history | |
| Opened | 1898 |
| Closed to passengers | 1957 |
| Closed | (?) |
| Preservation history | |
| 2005 | Downeast Rail Heritage Trust founded |
| 2010 | Open |
| Headquarters | Ellsworth |
| Website | |
| http://www.downeastscenicrail.org/ | |
The Downeast Scenic Railroad (reporting mark DSRX) is a special train line in Ellsworth, Maine. It's like a museum on wheels! This railroad is run by the Downeast Rail Heritage Trust. This group is a non-profit organization. They started in 2005.
The railroad uses an old track called the Calais Branch. This track was once part of the Maine Central Railroad. The Downeast Scenic Railroad starts its trips from Washington Junction. It travels west towards Brewer.
The very first train ride for guests was on July 24, 2010. At first, only about 4 miles of track were ready. This section went to Ellsworth Falls. But the team keeps working hard! They are fixing more track west of Ellsworth. Their goal is to run trains all the way to Green Lake soon.
Contents
Meet the Downeast Scenic Railroad's Locomotives
The Downeast Scenic Railroad has several cool engines. Each one has its own story! These engines help pull the passenger trains. They also help move things around the train yard.
Engine 1055: The Main Puller
Engine 1055 is an S-4 type locomotive. It was built in 1950 by the Alco. This engine is usually the one pulling the passenger trains. It joined the Downeast Scenic Railroad in 2010. Before that, it worked for the Conway Scenic Railroad.
Engine 54: The Backup Hero
Engine 54 is a 70-ton switcher. It was built in 1948 by General Electric. This engine was the very first one for the Downeast Scenic Railroad. It came from the Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad. Engine 54 had the honor of pulling the first-ever train ride in 2010! It now serves as a backup engine.
Engine 53: The Yard Helper
Engine 53 is a 30-ton switcher. It was built in 1949 by Davenport Locomotive Works. This smaller engine was given to the railroad by R&R Contracting. It was fixed up by Independent Locomotive Services. Engine 53 spent most of its life working at ore docks in Duluth, Minnesota. Today, it helps move train cars around the Washington Junction yard.
Engine 470: The Steam Dream
Engine 470 is a very special steam engine. It's a 4-6-2 type, built in 1924 by Alco. This engine was the last steam train to run for the Maine Central Railroad. That was on June 13, 1954. The New England Steam Corporation owns it now.
Engine 470 arrived at Washington Junction in 2016. It came on big trucks, taken apart. The team is working hard to fix it up. They hope to have it running again by 2024. That would be just in time for its 100th birthday! When it's ready, Engine 470 will pull trains on the Downeast Scenic Railroad.
