Maine Central Railroad Calais Branch
Encyclopedia
The Calais Branch is a mothballed railroad line in Maine
that was operated by the Maine Central Railroad
.
The Calais Branch is 127 miles (204.4 km) long and connects Brewer
to Calais
. It was constructed in 1898 and carried freight and passengers over the years. Passenger service was discontinued in 1957 and freight service was discontinued over the majority of the western end of the line in 1984. The line also includes a spur to Eastport
which joins the Calais Branch at Ayers Junction.
to Salmon Falls in 1839. Horses pulled cars over the railway until it was abandoned in 1841. The railway was re-activated and extended to Baring
in 1852 as the Calais and Baring Railroad. Lewy's Island Railroad was chartered in 1854, and extended the railway from Baring through New Brunswick
to Princeton
in 1857. The railway was reorganized as the Saint Croix and Penobscot Railroad in 1870. The Washington County Railroad was chartered in 1893 to take control of the Saint Croix and Penobscot and connect it to the Maine Central Railroad Bar Harbor branch at Washington Junction
. The Washington County Railroad was completed in 1898, and became the Calais branch in 1911 after Maine Central gained controlling stock interest in 1904.
The Calais branch was the longest of three Maine Central Eastern Division branches converging near Bangor
. Trains leaving Bangor for Calais first traveled 31.5 miles (50.7 km) over the Bar Harbor branch. The Calais branch was considered to include the Bar Harbor branch after passenger service to Mount Desert Ferry was discontinued in 1937; and the first 1.2 miles (1.9 km) from Bangor to Brewer Junction
have recently been considered part of the Bucksport branch
.
s, RS-3
s and RS-11
s between Bangor and Calais as long as those Maine Central locomotives remained operational. A GE 44-ton switcher
working out of Calais over the light rail of the Eastport branch was believed to be the last use of that model locomotive in regularly scheduled freight service on a class I railroad until the Eastport branch was abandoned in 1978. The paper mill
at Woodland provided most of the traffic in the later years of operation. The mill originated or terminated over 6,000 carloads in 1973, while cumulative pulpwood and lumber loading at Ellsworth, Franklin, Cherryfield, Columbia Falls, Whitneyville, Machias, and Dennysville contributed less half that volume.
The section from Brewer to St. Croix Junction is currently abandoned and was acquired by the Maine Department of Transportation
(MaineDOT) in 1987 for the purpose of preserving the rail corridor. The tracks are still intact, however they and the roadbed have been sporadically maintained by the state over the past two decades and significant deterioration has occurred.
In January 2006 the 30 mi (48.3 km) segment of the Calais Branch from Brewer to Washington Junction, east of Ellsworth
was leased by owner MaineDOT to the not for profit Downeast Rail Heritage Preservation Trust
. The Trust is currently working on rehabilitation of the line to begin excursion service from Ellsworth to Green Lake
that will be called the Downeast Scenic Railroad
.
at the Milltown Railway Bridge into Canada. At St. Croix Junction the Woodland Spur continues northwest to Woodland
, crossing into New Brunswick
(Canada
) for several miles along the way.
This operating section of the extreme eastern section of the Calais Branch and the entire Woodland Spur comprise a short, isolated section of former MEC trackage at the far eastern edge of Maine, running from a pulp mill in Woodland to the city of Calais. Once part of a much longer line that ran from Bangor to Calais, it has been cut back to the present trackage and for part of the way it runs through the neighboring province of New Brunswick
, Canada
where it interchanges with the New Brunswick Southern Railway
. The spur is owned and operated by Pan Am Railways
.
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
that was operated by the Maine Central Railroad
Maine Central Railroad
The Maine Central Railroad Company was a railroad in central and southern Maine. It was chartered in 1856 and began operations in 1862. It operated a mainline between South Portland, Maine, east to the Canada-U.S...
.
The Calais Branch is 127 miles (204.4 km) long and connects Brewer
Brewer, Maine
Brewer is a city in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. It is part of the Bangor, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is named after its first settler, Colonel John Brewer. The population was 9,482 at the 2010 census....
to Calais
Calais, Maine
Calais is a city in Washington County, Maine, United States. The city has three United States border crossings or also known as a Port of entry with the busiest being on the St. Croix River bordering St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada...
. It was constructed in 1898 and carried freight and passengers over the years. Passenger service was discontinued in 1957 and freight service was discontinued over the majority of the western end of the line in 1984. The line also includes a spur to Eastport
Eastport, Maine
Eastport is a small city in Washington County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,640 at the 2000 census. The principal island is Moose Island, which is connected to the mainland by causeway...
which joins the Calais Branch at Ayers Junction.
Early history
The Calais Railway was chartered in 1832 as one of the first railway charters granted by the State of Maine. Construction started in 1835. The company was reorganized as the Calais Railroad in 1838 and opened a 2 miles (3.2 km) railway from CalaisCalais, Maine
Calais is a city in Washington County, Maine, United States. The city has three United States border crossings or also known as a Port of entry with the busiest being on the St. Croix River bordering St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada...
to Salmon Falls in 1839. Horses pulled cars over the railway until it was abandoned in 1841. The railway was re-activated and extended to Baring
Baring, Maine
Baring Plantation is a plantation in Washington County, Maine, United States. The population was 273 at the 2000 census. The plantation is named for Alexander Baring, 1st Baron Ashburton, the British negotiator of the Webster-Ashburton Treaty which ended the Aroostook War in...
in 1852 as the Calais and Baring Railroad. Lewy's Island Railroad was chartered in 1854, and extended the railway from Baring through New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
to Princeton
Princeton, Maine
Princeton is a town in Washington County, Maine, United States. The town was named after Princeton, Massachusetts. The population was 892 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
in 1857. The railway was reorganized as the Saint Croix and Penobscot Railroad in 1870. The Washington County Railroad was chartered in 1893 to take control of the Saint Croix and Penobscot and connect it to the Maine Central Railroad Bar Harbor branch at Washington Junction
Ellsworth, Maine
Ellsworth is a city in and the county seat of Hancock County, Maine, United States. The 2010 Census determined it had a population of 7,741. Ellsworth was Maine's fastest growing city from 2000-2010 with a growth rate of nearly 20 percent...
. The Washington County Railroad was completed in 1898, and became the Calais branch in 1911 after Maine Central gained controlling stock interest in 1904.
The Calais branch was the longest of three Maine Central Eastern Division branches converging near Bangor
Bangor, Maine
Bangor is a city in and the county seat of Penobscot County, Maine, United States, and the major commercial and cultural center for eastern and northern Maine...
. Trains leaving Bangor for Calais first traveled 31.5 miles (50.7 km) over the Bar Harbor branch. The Calais branch was considered to include the Bar Harbor branch after passenger service to Mount Desert Ferry was discontinued in 1937; and the first 1.2 miles (1.9 km) from Bangor to Brewer Junction
Brewer, Maine
Brewer is a city in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. It is part of the Bangor, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is named after its first settler, Colonel John Brewer. The population was 9,482 at the 2010 census....
have recently been considered part of the Bucksport branch
Maine Central Railroad Bucksport Branch
The Bucksport Branch is a railroad line in Maine that was operated by the Maine Central Railroad. It is now part of the Pan Am Railways system....
.
Route
- Milepost 0: BangorBangor, MaineBangor is a city in and the county seat of Penobscot County, Maine, United States, and the major commercial and cultural center for eastern and northern Maine...
- Milepost 1.2: Brewer JunctionBrewer, MaineBrewer is a city in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. It is part of the Bangor, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is named after its first settler, Colonel John Brewer. The population was 9,482 at the 2010 census....
with the 18 miles (29 km) Bucksport branch - Milepost 10.5: HoldenHolden, MaineHolden is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,827 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water....
- Milepost 17.3: Green LakeDedham, MaineDedham is a town in Hancock County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,422 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water....
- Milepost 29.1: EllsworthEllsworth, MaineEllsworth is a city in and the county seat of Hancock County, Maine, United States. The 2010 Census determined it had a population of 7,741. Ellsworth was Maine's fastest growing city from 2000-2010 with a growth rate of nearly 20 percent...
- Milepost 31.5: Washington JunctionEllsworth, MaineEllsworth is a city in and the county seat of Hancock County, Maine, United States. The 2010 Census determined it had a population of 7,741. Ellsworth was Maine's fastest growing city from 2000-2010 with a growth rate of nearly 20 percent...
with the 10.8 miles (17.4 km) branch to Mount Desert Ferry - Milepost 40.8: FranklinFranklin, MaineFranklin is a town in Hancock County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,370 at the 2000 census. The first settler in 1764, was Moses Butler, for whom Butler's Point is named...
- Milepost 55.8: UnionvilleSteuben, MaineSteuben is a town in Washington County, Maine, United States. Upon incorporation in 1795 it was named after Baron Frederick William Rudolph Gerald Augustus von Steuben, the Inspector General of the U.S. Army during the Revolutionary War...
- Milepost 60.3: CherryfieldCherryfield, MaineCherryfield is a town in Washington County, Maine, United States on the Narraguagus River. It was named for the wild cherries that once peppered the banks of the river. The population was 1,157 at the 2000 census. The town bills itself as the "Blueberry Capital of the World"...
- Milepost 66.1: HarringtonHarrington, MaineHarrington is a town in Washington County, Maine, United States. The population was 882 at the 2000 census. Harrington is an old seafaring and shipbuilding village.-History:...
- Milepost 69.9: ColumbiaColumbia, MaineColumbia is a town in Washington County, Maine, United States. The population was 459 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of . of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:...
- Milepost 77.2: JonesboroJonesboro, MaineJonesboro is a town in Washington County, Maine, United States. The town was named for John Coffin Jones, a landholder. The population was 594 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
- Milepost 84.8: WhitneyvilleWhitneyville, MaineWhitneyville is a town in Washington County, Maine, United States. The town was named after Colonel Joseph Whitney, a mill owner. The population was 262 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
- Milepost 88.7: Machias
- Milepost 110.6: DennysvilleDennysville, MaineDennysville is a town in Washington County, Maine, United States. The population was 319 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water....
- Milepost 117.4: Ayers JunctionPembroke, MainePembroke is a town in Washington County, Maine, United States. The population was 879 at the 2000 census. The town is home to reversing falls on Mahar's Point.-History:...
with the 16.4 miles (26.4 km) EastportEastport, MaineEastport is a small city in Washington County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,640 at the 2000 census. The principal island is Moose Island, which is connected to the mainland by causeway...
branch - Milepost 130.0: Saint Croix JunctionCalais, MaineCalais is a city in Washington County, Maine, United States. The city has three United States border crossings or also known as a Port of entry with the busiest being on the St. Croix River bordering St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada...
with the 17.8 miles (28.6 km) PrincetonPrinceton, MainePrinceton is a town in Washington County, Maine, United States. The town was named after Princeton, Massachusetts. The population was 892 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
branch to WoodlandWoodland, MaineWoodland is the name of some places in the U.S. state of Maine:*Woodland, Aroostook County, Maine*Woodland, Washington County, Maine... - Milepost 133.5: CalaisCalais, MaineCalais is a city in Washington County, Maine, United States. The city has three United States border crossings or also known as a Port of entry with the busiest being on the St. Croix River bordering St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada...
Recent history
The last passenger train from Bangor to Calais ran on 25 November 1957. Diesel-era freight service often used ALCO RS-2ALCO RS-2
The ALCO RS-2 is a , B-B road switcher railroad locomotive. It was manufactured by American Locomotive Company from October 1946 to May 1950, and 378 were produced — 369 by the American Locomotive Company, and 9 by Montreal Locomotive Works in Canada. Eight of the ALCO RS-2s were exported to...
s, RS-3
ALCO RS-3
The ALCO RS-3 is a 1,600 hp , B-B road switcher railroad locomotive. It was manufactured by American Locomotive Company and Montreal Locomotive Works from May 1950 to August 1956, and 1,418 were produced — 1,265 for American railroads, 98 for Canadian railroads, 48 for Brazilian and 7...
s and RS-11
ALCO RS-11
The ALCO RS-11 is a diesel-electric locomotive of the road switcher type rated at 1,800 hp , that rode on two-axle trucks, having a B-B wheel arrangement.-Development:...
s between Bangor and Calais as long as those Maine Central locomotives remained operational. A GE 44-ton switcher
GE 44-ton switcher
The GE 44-ton switcher is a 4-axle diesel locomotive built by General Electric between 1940 and 1956. It was designed for industrial and light switching duties, often replacing steam locomotives that had previously been assigned these chores...
working out of Calais over the light rail of the Eastport branch was believed to be the last use of that model locomotive in regularly scheduled freight service on a class I railroad until the Eastport branch was abandoned in 1978. The paper mill
Paper mill
A paper mill is a factory devoted to making paper from vegetable fibres such as wood pulp, old rags and other ingredients using a Fourdrinier machine or other type of paper machine.- History :...
at Woodland provided most of the traffic in the later years of operation. The mill originated or terminated over 6,000 carloads in 1973, while cumulative pulpwood and lumber loading at Ellsworth, Franklin, Cherryfield, Columbia Falls, Whitneyville, Machias, and Dennysville contributed less half that volume.
The section from Brewer to St. Croix Junction is currently abandoned and was acquired by the Maine Department of Transportation
Maine Department of Transportation
The Maine Department of Transportation, also known as MaineDOT, is the bureaucratic office of the state government charged with the regulation and maintenance of roads and other public infrastructure in the state of Maine. MaineDOT reports on the adequacy of roads, highways, and bridges in Maine...
(MaineDOT) in 1987 for the purpose of preserving the rail corridor. The tracks are still intact, however they and the roadbed have been sporadically maintained by the state over the past two decades and significant deterioration has occurred.
In January 2006 the 30 mi (48.3 km) segment of the Calais Branch from Brewer to Washington Junction, east of Ellsworth
Ellsworth, Maine
Ellsworth is a city in and the county seat of Hancock County, Maine, United States. The 2010 Census determined it had a population of 7,741. Ellsworth was Maine's fastest growing city from 2000-2010 with a growth rate of nearly 20 percent...
was leased by owner MaineDOT to the not for profit Downeast Rail Heritage Preservation Trust
Downeast Scenic Railroad
The Downeast Scenic Railroad is a heritage railway in Ellsworth, Maine which is owned and operated by the Downeast Rail Heritage Trust, which is a 5013 charitable organization founded in the fall of 2005. The railroad operates over the historic Calais Branch which was once part of the Maine...
. The Trust is currently working on rehabilitation of the line to begin excursion service from Ellsworth to Green Lake
Green Lake (Maine)
Green Lake is a large stretch of freshwater lake located in the state of Maine, United States. It lies south of Bangor and north of Bar Harbor. Green Lake lies west of Route 180 and east of U.S. Route 1A and the Downeast Scenic Railroad...
that will be called the Downeast Scenic Railroad
Downeast Scenic Railroad
The Downeast Scenic Railroad is a heritage railway in Ellsworth, Maine which is owned and operated by the Downeast Rail Heritage Trust, which is a 5013 charitable organization founded in the fall of 2005. The railroad operates over the historic Calais Branch which was once part of the Maine...
.
Woodland Spur
An isolated extreme eastern section of the Calais Branch is still in operation from St. Croix Junction to Milltown where a connection is made with the New Brunswick Southern RailwayNew Brunswick Southern Railway
The New Brunswick Southern Railway and Eastern Maine Railway form a 189-mile railway system operating a former Canadian Pacific Railway mainline between Saint John, New Brunswick and Brownville Junction, Maine....
at the Milltown Railway Bridge into Canada. At St. Croix Junction the Woodland Spur continues northwest to Woodland
Woodland, Washington County, Maine
Woodland is a census-designated place in Washington County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,044 at the 2000 census.Woodland is a part of the town of Baileyville...
, crossing into New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
(Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
) for several miles along the way.
This operating section of the extreme eastern section of the Calais Branch and the entire Woodland Spur comprise a short, isolated section of former MEC trackage at the far eastern edge of Maine, running from a pulp mill in Woodland to the city of Calais. Once part of a much longer line that ran from Bangor to Calais, it has been cut back to the present trackage and for part of the way it runs through the neighboring province of New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
where it interchanges with the New Brunswick Southern Railway
New Brunswick Southern Railway
The New Brunswick Southern Railway and Eastern Maine Railway form a 189-mile railway system operating a former Canadian Pacific Railway mainline between Saint John, New Brunswick and Brownville Junction, Maine....
. The spur is owned and operated by Pan Am Railways
Pan Am Railways
Pan Am Railways, Inc. , known as Guilford Rail System before March 2006, is a holding company that owns and operates Class II regional railroads covering northern New England from Mattawamkeag, Maine to Rotterdam Junction, New York...
.