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So. Portland, Maine WWII shipyard railroad

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  • Member since
    November 2001
  • From: US
  • 14 posts
So. Portland, Maine WWII shipyard railroad
Posted by TOMTANGUAY on Friday, April 4, 2003 9:01 AM
In the early 1940's, two major Liberty & Victory Ship building yards were constructed in So. Portland, Maine. These operated under various names until the war ended. After WWII, the area became an industrial park, and the rail network continued to operate sporadically through the sixties.
Can anyone provide any details of the rail operations in these yards? I am looking for track layouts, equipment owned/used, photos, etc.
Approximately 3 miles from the main yards was a "plate yard" where some fabrication was done, then moved to the main yards by rail. Any and all information on this facility would be much appreciated.
There are several web sites devoted to Liberty & Victory ships, and a site on the shipyards themselves. However, the rail system is barely mentioned.
This line connected to the Boston & Maine / Maine Central systems at Rigby Yards in So. Portland. Part of it utilized the old Eastern RR tracks, which operate, even today, as the Turner's Island Industrial RR.

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