Maine Narrow Gauge Museum Discussion

JBConn wrote:Regarding move to Gray, what track (or former ROW) would they use?

They want to use the ROW of what was once the Portland-Lewiston Interurban Railroad (or Railway -- I've seen it written both ways).

Try this. I have linked a map from google below. The ROW runs directly between the A & B points, but the directions follow the road. I do not know which way they plan to go, but this is the ROW in question. Where Route 115 and the ROW intersect, one of the original brick stations is in use as a residence.

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=ME-1 ... sz=16&z=16

The station, from the non ROW side.

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=ME-1 ... 3,,0,13.67

It's probably a longer ride than they have now, but it's still pretty short. Any potential for expansion?

I imagine it'll also be a lot less interesting from a visual perspective. :-\

By crossing the location I marked as "B" on Long Hill Road, they do have the potential for a longer ride, but not much. There is a cemetary that is built on the ROW.

It looks like the ROW distance from A to B is about 9000 feet, i.e. slightly less than two miles, or about four miles round trip. At ten miles per hour, that would take about 24 minutes excluding acceleration, deceleration, and any spiel given at the end point. If one includes loading/unloading passengers and any engine servicing, this would be a good match for running trains "every hour on the hour."

Rail enthusiasts want long rides, but the general public, especially those people with children, don't for two reasons: 1) the children get cranky after 20 minutes on the train, and 2) it's a long wait for the next train if you just missed a departure.

I believe that would make it longer than the current Portland line... but, as I mentioned earlier, probably a lot less scenic. I'd take a short scenic ride over a long(er) boring ride any day. Frankly that's one of the reasons why sustained success has been so elusive to the various incarnations of the Belfast & Moosehead Lake: there's just not much to see, other than trees and the occasional pond.

Seashore Trolley Museum faces the same issue with their line, BUT they make up for it in a big way with their museum, car barns and shops, the massive number of pieces in their collection, and the great history provided by the employees and volunteers during the ride. MNGRR will have to attempt to do the same.

Video from WMTW-8 (Portland ABC affiliate):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pELIz1VSEeg

The MNG steam schedule is up. (Dates may be added or removed depending on crew or engine availability.)

Saturday, May 25th (10:00 to 2:00 only, no 3:00 train ride on the 25th) and Sunday, May 26th

Every Saturday in June! June 1st, 8th, 15th (Civil War Train Robbery), 22nd and 29th

July 4th, 5th and 6th

July 20th

August 3rd

August 17th

August 31st (Labor Day Weekend/Civil War Train Robbery)

September 7th

September 21st (Roaring 20s Event)

October 12th

October 26th (Fall Harvest/last weekend of the season)

After being on the market for five years, the Portland Company Complex (current home of the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum) has been sold.

From The Portland Press Herald:

The Portland Press Herald wrote:The Portland Company was established in 1846 as a locomotive foundry to build railroad equipment for the connection between Portland and Montreal. It remained a significant New England medium-to-heavy steel fabricator until 1978.

The complex produced 628 locomotives, 160 ships (including Iron Clads) and equipment for the Panama Canal, according to its website.

The property, which has 1,000 linear feet of deep-water berthing, is located at the base of Munjoy Hill. It houses several businesses and non-profits, including Portland Yacht Services, Maine Island Trail Association and Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum.

Read more at: http://www.pressherald.com/news/Prime-E ... land-.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

While walking along the Eastern Prom today, I saw #4 leading a good-sized train with lots of passengers onboard.

Slightly off-topic, but related:

The collection of 2-foot gauge equipment in Biddeford, Maine is up for sale. This small operation was briefly known as the "Great Northern Narrow Gauge Railroad" but it never really got off the ground.

http://www.sterlingrail.com/classifieds ... hp?id=8632" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

From the Lakes Region Weekly:

Lakes Region Weekly wrote:Despite years of flirtation, the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Company and Museum still won’t commit to Gray.
. . .
“Right now, we’re exploring all the options that we might have, and we really haven’t closed the door on any option,” said Sharon Hickey, the president of the railroad’s board of trustees.
. . .
Carroll, who became executive director in mid-October, estimated that re-locating to Gray could cost the group $3 million to $5 million.

Read the rest of the article at: http://www.keepmecurrent.com/lakes_regi ... 963f4.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Translation: "Does anyone have a spare $3-5 million lying around that they need to turn into a charitable donation?"

markhb wrote:Translation: "Does anyone have a spare $3-5 million lying around that they need to turn into a charitable donation?"

I'll second that. Unless the movement could be donated by some of the movers, you still have to raise money for facilities...