Maine two footers?

[Cajonpassfan]

We will be in Portland, Maine, a few days in June. Other then the narrow gauge museum in Portland harbor, is there any other narrow gauge within reasonable driving distance worth visiting? I'd love to see and hear those little critters run, especially in their native setting, so I figured I ask here.
Advice/feedback appreciated.
Otto

[Chris333]

I know the 2 footers, but have never been up there. I do know that Portland ME never had a 2' railroad.

[sd45elect2000]

Wiscasset and Waterville has operating 2 footers in Alma Maine.

[JeffB]

Wiscasset and Waterville has operating 2 footers in Alma Maine.

Alna...  Or Sheepscott.  Either works.
 
The WW&F museum is a really nice place to visit.  You'll see a lot more than at the Maine NG museum in Portland and the ride is longer and better.

It is a little bit of a drive (I think about an hour, or just under) from Portland.  Well worth it though, you won't regret it if you make it up there.

Wiscasset is nearby (you see some of it when you head up there).  It's a quaint little riverside town, though it was nicer years ago before they cut all the trees along Main Street down to increase parking.

The Sandy River museum is up outside of Phillips, but that's a hike from Portland.

Jeff

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I know the 2 footers, but have never been up there. I do know that Portland ME never had a 2' railroad.

Incorrect! Here's a 2 footer in Portland: http://railfanning.kapuscinski.net/2018/08/half-a-ge-44-tonner-in-portland-maine/

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Speaking of Portland. If you don't go to The Holy Donut, don't come back.
https://www.theholydonut.com/

They are at the TOP of my list of things to do in town.

We also really enjoyed https://www.eventideoysterco.com/ and just generally wandering around checking out the town, but seriously, Holy Donut or GTFO

[Chris333]

Incorrect! Here's a 2 footer in Portland: http://railfanning.kapuscinski.net/2018/08/half-a-ge-44-tonner-in-portland-maine/

What I mean is that was never a Maine 2' railroad in Portland. It was a way later built museum on top of old standard gauge roadbed.

Google says the museum in Portland was started in 1992.

[Cajonpassfan]

Yes, the original yards near the Portland harbor were standard gauge, and the Grand Trunk mainline to Montreal went through there I understand. Still, today it seems like a nice, populous location to introduce the unwashed masses and their children to the Maine Twofooters.
Since we'll BE in Portland, I will definitely stop there, but trips north to Alna and Phillips are a definite possibility, too. Even my wife got excited when I showed her the picture (below) of what a two foot gauge locomotive looked like! That pic says it all! Thanks for the suggestions...
(Ed, I don't know about your suggestion, though. While she enjoys an occasional train adventure thought pretty scenery, she has me on a fairly short leash when it comes to caloric intake. She does love Margaritas though and that donut looks interesting)
Otto

[sd45elect2000]

Yes, the original yards near the Portland harbor were standard gauge, and the Grand Trunk mainline to Montreal went through there I understand. Still, today it seems like a nice, populous location to introduce the unwashed masses and their children to the Maine Twofooters.
Since we'll BE in Portland, I will definitely stop there, but trips north to Alna and Phillips are a definite possibility, too. Even my wife got excited when I showed her the picture (below) of what a two foot gauge locomotive looked like! That pic says it all! Thanks for the suggestions...
(Ed, I don't know about your suggestion, though. While she enjoys an occasional train adventure thought pretty scenery, she has me on a fairly short leash when it comes to caloric intake. She does love Margaritas though and that donut looks interesting)
Otto

I think that photo was taken in the Farmington yards, nothing to be seen there anymore. A drive to Phillips will show you the rebuilt Phillips and Rangely roundhouse as well as the original Sandy River and Rangely station. A bit of Sandy river has been rebuilt there also.  It gets pretty wild up there.

[Chris333]

That photo is the Bridgton and Saco River railroad yard at Bridgton Junction where it transferred with the Maine Central. Nothing left, but it was here:
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.8696334,-70.8016925,504m/data=!3m1!1e3

This shows how the two railroads intertwined here: https://maineon2faq.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/bsr-01-bridgtonjctc.jpg

[JeffB]

That photo is the Bridgton and Saco River railroad yard at Bridgton Junction where it transferred with the Maine Central. Nothing left, but it was here:
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.8696334,-70.8016925,504m/data=!3m1!1e3

I think of all the Maine Two-Footers, the Bridgton has the least left to see, followed closely by the Kennebec Central.  Other than "Depot Street" in Bridgton and Harrison, there's practically nothing left to even suggest there was a railway up there (except for a few bridge abutments maybe).

Alna and Phillips are your best best after MNGM in Portland.

Jeff

[Cajonpassfan]

I think of all the Maine Two-Footers, the Bridgton has the least left to see, followed closely by the Kennebec Central.  Other than "Depot Street" in Bridgton and Harrison, there's practically nothing left to even suggest there was a railway up there (except for a few bridge abutments maybe).

Alna and Phillips are your best best after MNGM in Portland.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff, appreciated!
Otto

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Yes, the original yards near the Portland harbor were standard gauge, and the Grand Trunk mainline to Montreal went through there I understand. Still, today it seems like a nice, populous location to introduce the unwashed masses and their children to the Maine Twofooters.
Since we'll BE in Portland, I will definitely stop there, but trips north to Alna and Phillips are a definite possibility, too. Even my wife got excited when I showed her the picture (below) of what a two foot gauge locomotive looked like! That pic says it all! Thanks for the suggestions...
(Ed, I don't know about your suggestion, though. While she enjoys an occasional train adventure thought pretty scenery, she has me on a fairly short leash when it comes to caloric intake. She does love Margaritas though and that donut looks interesting)
Otto

You gotta do the donut place. Even if it's all you eat all day.

That said, oysters are good for you (I think, I've never actually looked)!

[Cajonpassfan]

Well, major bummer. Sandy River & RL doesn't open until July 30th! Apparently their star engine is undergoing major work. Disappointing. I did contact them and asked whether I can visit anyway, we'll see if anyone responds...
And yea Ed, good point, oysters ARE good for you (and for one's libido) so that should offset any donut indiscretions...right?
Otto

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Well, major bummer. Sandy River & RL doesn't open until July 30th! Apparently their star engine is undergoing major work. Disappointing. I did contact them and asked whether I can visit anyway, we'll see if anyone responds...
And yea Ed, good point, oysters ARE good for you (and for one's libido) so that should offset any donut indiscretions...right?
Otto

Precisely.

Also, the just dropped season of Somebody Feed Phil, one of Terri and my favorite "TV" shows, just did an episode on Maine that was focused around Portland. If you have Netflix, go watch it.

Takeaway: Go here https://www.tandemcoffee.com/