Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Opens for Season With ‘Spring Aboard’

Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum is about to start its peak season and it has been kicking it off with two weekends of fun activities and train rides. Spring Aboard is the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad's official Opening Day celebrations and the second weekend of Spring Aboard is April 20 and 21.

The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad runs on the same right-of-way that the former Grand Trunk Railroad used in Portland from 1853 to 1984. It would carry passengers and freight from Portland across the swing bridge over Back Cove, past the B&M plant up through to Lewiston, South Paris, Bethel, Gorham, New Hampshire and on to Montreal Canada.

The State of Maine still owns the land that the railbed is on with no plans to sell it in an area of Portland that is ripe with development. Almost all of the former rail yard is gone now with new hotels, parking garages and a new major development set to begin construction soon, all taking its place.

Yet the Narrow Gauge Railroad still remains, with plans to be here for quite some time after a plan to move to Gray seems to have been put on hold. Ridership on the railroad that runs from Ocean Gateway along the Eastern Prom, to the entrance to the permanently open swing bridge, has continued to grow every year with more and more visitors coming to Maine who ride the train for the scenic views around the Prom.

If you've never ridden the Narrow Gauge, this weekend is your best chance. Trains will run every half hour and steam powered the ex-Bridgton and Saco River Railroad locomotive built in 1913 will be running. Seeing and riding on a train powered by a steam locomotive is like travelling back in time.

Find out more about this weekend's Spring Aboard event at the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad by hitting the link below.