bostontrainguy wrote:Not knowing that area well, I checked it out on Google maps and found where you think it is located (behind the Coca-cola building?). That's an interesting spaghetti bowl of tracks around Presque Isle. Can anyone tell us about the industries that are there and if they still receive rail service?
Skyway Industrial Park was created after the Presque Isle Air Force Base was moved north to Loring in the 1960's. It was all Aroostook Valley trackage up until AVR ceased to be in 1996. The AVR line came into the park near Central Dr and Edgemont Dr on its way to Parson St (still visible on Google maps). Once the AVR was abandoned the BAR built a spur east of its Long Yard to access the remaining customers in the park.
Circa 1970's-1990's the customers were as follows:
If you follow the spur from the current MNR tracks the line loops way around a runway and the first spur had Tater Meal (a potato byproduct processor) at the end. Also on that spur was an International Paper warehouse and a CMP pole yard. Only the pole yard is left.
Following the line further north were some potato or packing houses opposite the spur down to the intermodal yard where it looks like the new Dead River facility is located.
Just north is a large tank used by MPG for various products over the years. The remaining customers were Northeast Packaging, Northeast Publishing (located at the wye) and Columbia Forest Products. Only Columbia Forest Products still receive service (hardwood bolts in, plywood out).
bostontrainguy wrote:Looks like this could have been one of those rare instances of a rail line crossing an airport runway too!
No rail crosses a runway in the park.
