Steam & Excursion > Maine Eastern Fall Excursion

My final installment of six weekends of experiencing excursion railroads and events in New England ends with the Maine Eastern between Brunswick and Rockland, ME. Because of time constraints, I could only chase one direction instead of riding, which was disappointing, but at least I had been on the train last season when they were using F40PH's for power.

This year... well take a look at FL9 #488 leading train #1 into Brunswick on 29-Oct-05.

Maltby Turn, over...

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The Maine Eastern was running two round trips a day out of Rockland over its line this fall season, apparently with separate crews for the morning (#1/#2) and afternoon (#3/#4) trains.

Maine Eastern FL9 #488 leads excursion train #1 past the Brunswick gazebo on 29-October-2005, just seconds away from its arrival at Brunswick.

Maltby Turn, over...

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I was a little surprised to find the crew wyeing the power at Brunswick instead of running around the train.

Here, the crossing is flagged as the two FL9's run around the wye.

Maltby Turn over...

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Did someone say something about Farewell to the FL9? Here, perhaps that could be said for the season, but probably not for good.

FL9's #488 and #489 lead train #2 across the West Bath bridge on 29-October-2005.

Maltby Turn over...

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Train #2 stretches out on the causeway east of Wiscasset, 29-October-2005.

Maltby Turn over...

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While it was snowing down in Massachusetts, the sun actually came out briefly, just as train #2 crossed Sandy Shores Road east of Waldoboro on 29-October-2005.

Maltby Turn over...

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Finally, I was fooled a bit as when I rode last year, the trip ended on the waterfront in Rockland. Now, the trains run essentially into the old station at Rockland, about the same distance from the attractions of the town. A siding has been installed to allow the power to run around the train at the station.

After that process was complete, FL9 #489 posed on the head of what would be the consist of train #3 at Rockland on 29-October-2005. I was out of time and needed to move on. Note the substantial grade the locomotive is sitting on; that's not an optical illusion.

Maltby Turn out.

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Great looking train. Thanks for sharing. Where does this train run and where can I find information about when it may run next year?
Thanks.

Everything you should need is here:

http://www.maineeasternrailroad.com/

Maltby Turn out.

That link exists but sadly no updates since 2006.

Oliver Barrett