2ft narrow guage in Maine.

[tangerine-jack]

While I was in Maine last week I stopped by the Boothbay Harbor Railroad Museum that houses and operates what’s left of the Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes RR, one of Maine’s 2ft narrow gauge railways. These little railroads carried just about anything up and down the mountains where the bigger roads couldn’t go or didn’t see a need to. Sadly, the end of the road came around 1937 when a frost heave caused a derailment. The cargo was unloaded at the site (presumably trucked away) and the entire train remained in place for over a year until finally scrapped.

This is the loco used by the RR. It is a Henschel coal fired 0-4-0. The water is stored in the frame under the boiler and between the wheels. Made in Europe from 1913-1938, it operates with about 100psi boiler pressure.

Here I am next to one, these are very small locos!



A view of the entire train under a shed, this one doesn’t run.



Other shots of the loco




This is a fine example of budget travel. These passenger cars aren’t the best thing going, but they sure beat walking!





An example of a tipple car, I guess it was used for carrying coal and ore. Notice the very simple coupler design.




This is a French box car, called the “40&8” or the “Merci” car. Presented to the people of Maine by the people of France in February 1949. It could transport 40 men or 8 horses (hence the name). The cupola is a brakeman’ shanty. 49 were given to the US, all filled with gifts (I don’t know what gifts).




This is the station, built 1911. Pretty standard design. Notice the manual controls for the semaphore over the station master’s desk. Yes, they still work.




Oh yes, the best part, it does run about a mile or so around the museum. Lots of fun on that ride!



Bringing up the rear, my lovely riding in the cupola of the caboose!


I would imagine that some of LGB’s offerings would make great starting points for modeling this RR. If anything it should give authenticity to any US modeler that runs European equipment, for what I understand, there were dozens of this little short lines running all over New England. Simple matter to think up a convincing story!

[oX)]

[Anonymous]

T.J.
YOU HAVE BEEN A BUSY MAN.????VERY NICE PICTURES. THANKS FOR SHARING WITH US. BEN[:)]

[IRONROOSTER]

This site http://www.narrowgauge.iform.com.au/m2f.html provides an overview of the Maine 2 footers. Other than temporary logging roads and industrial lines, the other U.S. 2 footers were the Billerica & Bedford Railroad which was a short lived attempt in Massachusetts and the Gilpin Tramway in Colorado.
Enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

IRONROOSTER
Very interesting site , thanks for shareing . BEN

[Anonymous]

Looks like it was a fun trip! Also check out www.narrowtracks.com they host alot of Maine 2ft information as well as info on my beloved W &W RR.

[vsmith]

I dig Maine 2-footers, thanks for sharing the pics.

[tangerine-jack]

It's hard not to like them, they were tough and scrappy little roads that stuck a middle finger up at the world and much larger railroads. They look for all the world like big Garden RRs.

I've got a few video shorts (maybe a minute's worth or so) I took with my digital camera, email me if you're interested and I'll send you what I have.

[oX)]

[Anonymous]

T.J.
MY new HERSHEY RS-3 CAME TODAY , GOOD LOOKING ENGINE. I ALSO HAVE 10 HERSHEY CARS TO GO WITH IT . BEN

[John Busby]

Hi tangarine jack
Thanks for the pictures
I dont feel guilty about the mixed bag of rollingstock I have any more[:D]
could do something simillar using LGB stock..
OK so the Gauge would be wrong but who cares could get a very caricter
full line though
regards John

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by John Busby

Hi tangarine jack
Thanks for the pictures
I dont feel guilty about the mixed bag of rollingstock I have any more[:D]
could do something simillar using LGB stock..
OK so the Gauge would be wrong but who cares could get a very caricter
full line though
regards John

John, you could start scratchbuilding a loco and cars in 7/8 scale to be correct with the gauge of track .7/8N2 would keep it interesting, and you thought you had enough stuff, huh[;)][:p][:D]

[John Busby]

QUOTE: Originally posted by carpenter matt
in 7/8 scale to be correct with the gauge of track .7/8N2 would keep it interesting, and you thought you had enough stuff, huh[;)][:p][:D]

Hi Matt
I could always go the other way as well and make it 16mm scale on 32mm track
i have some dual gauge[:D]
It would then fit in the 128mm loading gauge but too much to do geting the line out into the back garden.
Enough trains don't be silly If I had enough trains I would also be able to afford too pay someone 110 million dollars to build a big enough railway to take them[(-D][swg]
And I would be able to give up this working for a living lark[:(]
regards John
Ps foolish dreams again[:)]