Downeast Scenic Railroad

09/11/2026

Today, we pause to honor and remember the lives lost, the heroes who stepped forward, and the enduring spirit of our nation on September 11, 2001. 🇺🇸

Days like today remind us of the deep value of community, resilience, and memory. Our work in preserving American rail history is rooted in a quiet commitment to keeping our shared heritage and culture alive for future generations—honoring where we've been and the strength that carries us forward.

Today, we reflect, remember, and give thanks for the communities and country we are proud to call home.

09/09/2026

In 1898, crews laid the final steel rails connecting Ellsworth to eastern Maine, officially opening the Washington County Railroad! 🔨

This engineering feat connected isolated coastal communities to the rest of New England, making year-round travel and trade reliable for the first time in regional history.

When you ride with us, you are traveling on a line built over 125 years ago!

🗺️ Explore our history: downeastscenicrail.org

09/08/2026

There’s a frog living in the tracks—but it doesn’t croak! 🐸 In railroad terms, a "frog" is the heavy cast-steel structure placed where two rails cross each other in a track switch.

The frog features precise steel flangeways that guide the train's wheels safely across the intersecting rail without slipping off the track.

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day! 🛠️🇺🇸

Today, we honor the hardworking men and women who built our nation—including the generations of railway workers who laid these tracks across Maine over a century ago.

09/04/2026

Wrap up summer with an unforgettable family outing! ☀️ Before busy fall schedules take over, gather the kids and grandparents for a relaxing 90-minute ride through the Maine woods.

Fresh air, scenic wetlands, and authentic train whistles make for memories that last long after summer ends.

🎟️ Reserve your Labor Day weekend tickets: downeastscenicrail.org

09/04/2026

A 1,000-horsepower 1950 Alco diesel engine needs serious care to stay healthy! 🛢️

Keeping Locomotive #1055 running smoothly requires specialized heavy-duty engine oils, gear lubricants, and coolant treatments designed for vintage 539-series diesel engines.

Your donations directly purchase the specialized industrial fluids needed to protect our primary locomotive from mechanical wear.

❤️ Keep our diesel running strong: downeastscenicrail.org/donate-support-volunteer/

09/02/2026

Before tourist excursions, the Calais Branch was a heavy-duty timber corridor! 🌲

Throughout the mid-20th century, daily freight trains hauled thousands of cords of harvested Maine pulpwood down this line to feed regional paper mills and lumber yards. The heavy rails beneath our wheels were built specifically to carry Maine's forest product economy.

Experience the wilderness route that built Hancock County industry!

🌲 Plan your visit: downeastscenicrail.org

09/01/2026

We will have one time slot open for rides on Labor Day (Monday, September 7th)! Be sure to reserve your seats at

Ride the Downeast Scenic Railroad for the best scenic train rides in Maine. Take in stunning views, vintage charm, and unforgettable adventures.

08/29/2026

Maine history isn't just stored in textbooks or museums—it's alive right here in our own backyard! 🌲🚂

When you support the Downeast Scenic Railroad, you're directly investing in our local community. Our non-profit line preserves the industrial story of Hancock County, serving as an outdoor classroom where local students, young families, and residents can touch, feel, and experience the living history that shaped coastal Maine.

❤️ Invest in keeping local history alive: downeastscenicrail.org/donate-support-volunteer/

08/28/2026

Long before cell phones, how did dispatchers track trains on single-track lines? 📱 High-speed telegraph lines ran parallel to the Calais Branch tracks right through Hancock County!

Telegraph operators stationed at local depots like Green Lake tapped out Morse code updates as trains passed, letting dispatchers know exactly when a freight or passenger train was clearing a section of track.

When you ride along our tree-lined route, you are following the exact path of Maine's first telecommunications network.

🌲 Discover our historic route: downeastscenicrail.org