by
Text and Photos by Author
The author retains all
rights. No reproductions are allowed without the
author's consent.
Comments are appreciated at... yr.mmxx@gmail.com
Today's journey began
after a quick breakfast in Lincoln and then we headed
north on US 3. We continued on US 3 to Twin Mountain
and the junction with US 302. We continued east now on
US 302 to Bretton Woods and then just 6 miles on Base
Station Road to Mount Washington Cog Railway and
Marshfield Station.
Start of track up the mountain.
Later, when we were coming down from the top, we will pass
this train as it sits on a siding.
Click for cog
railway video. Click back button on your browser to return
to this page.
Chris and I walked down the
hill to take photos of the trains.
Whoa! Don't move! End of line.
What happened?
1951 Russell Snow Plow
1911 Baldwin 0-6-0, rescued from the scrap pile in 1986.
We were deep in the woods of
Maine, going down side roads, dirt roads and dirt trails when
we arrived at this gem of Maine history. We were met by two
nice gentleman, Ray and Ryan who gave us a tour of the
buildings and equipment.
They were agreeable to start up #4 and offered us a ride on
their line.
They had to move # 4 out of the roundhouse and onto the turn
table to hook up with car # 559.
Our ride today. #559 built 1988.
Backing up to attach # 559. View from back of loco.
View out of cupola on #559.
It was a short ride through the thick forest to the Sandy River.
End of Line.
Chris bought a tee shirt and I bought a cap in the nice gift
shop.
Our photo runby.
Click for SR
& RL RR video. Click back button on your browser to
return to this page.
During our ride we received a short oral history of Maine. Over one hundred and twenty years ago transportation deep in the woods of Maine was limited to wagon trails and horse paths. At that time the narrow gauge railroads were the answer and the savior. There were many short lines that crisscrossed the state in an integrated transportation system. Dairy farmers had a way to get their milk and butter to markets, students had transportation to school and citizens were able to leave home, traveling, experiencing and exploring the world. Then the automobiles appeared with their paved roads and the narrow gauge railroads disappeared. Fortunately we have a few of these surviving railroads trying to keep their part of history alive. Railroads such as the Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad deserve our help and support.
Click for
Sandy Lakes & Rangeley RR. Click back button on your
browser to return to this page.
After saying goodby to our
helpful ambassadors, we headed south and west toward New
Hampshire. Later, as it was dinner time, we stopped in Mexico
for a sandwich at the local Subway shop. Then it was time for
our next stop in Newry, ME.
Click
for GPS map. Click back button on your browser to return to
this page.
Click
for bridge information. Click back button on your browser to
return to this page.
Located near the Maine and New Hampshire state line.
Our last stop of the day was for the
Honeymoon bridge in Jackson.
Honeymoon Bridge spanning the Ellis River at junction of Rte
16 and Rte 16A.
Sidewalk side of bridge on the upstream side.
Click for
more on Honeymoon Bridge. Click back button on your browser
to return to this page.
