Steam in Portland, Maine this weekend!

I love those trains they have such character.

Due to the questionable angle of the step stool leading up to the combine car steps, the railroad used their lift to help my mother into the car.  A wheelchair lift was cleverly hidden in the baggage section of the combine at the front of the train.  Nice!    

Tastefully hidden wheelchair lift. (Note the two cut sections to receive the lift.)

The lift. A simple but effective affair:

A very, very happy parent walking out of the baggage area into coach -- half rattan chairs, half built-in seats:

Fond memories -- the narration was well done, too:

The coach section looking toward the baggage/handicap access conversion. This was during a break when riders could get out and look at the ocean seawall or explore the other cars:

Peaking through the window at the baggage compartment with the lift modifications and rear of the engine (0-4-4T) visible:

Next three photos: some of the scenery from combine no. 12:

Some very old pilings -- I forgot the details but something to do with a big shipping area from ancient times in Portland.  The Grand Trunk Station was once on this route.  This photo shows some of the interior details.  Quite an improvement from the first ride I took (no windows :-) in the railroad's early years:

The route is right on the water.  The trainman or conductor got out and handled the railroad crossings:

Tomlinson Run Railroad

You lucked out!  I was just there in Sept. for the narrow gauge convention and had to ride the Portland train behind a smelly ole diesel!  Although up in the cupola of the combine caboose, so it wasn't a total loss.

During the break when most everyone was outside, I was able to photograph the other cars.  I loved this trip. My only minor complaint was that their website didn't include a roster.  Maybe there was more information about the cars in the museum that I didn't get to explore?

These cars followed the engine and previously shown combine #12 -- prior provenance unknown except for the caboose:

#22 with bench-style seating.  Looks awfully uncomfortable to me!

#24 Fancy!  and with a divider mid-way. Bench seats on a narrow gauge make for awfully tight seating, don't they?:

Detail of the divider's corner wood work:

This is the end of the line where the train pauses for pictures and etc.  It's only a three mile round trip. Shown are part of #15, a second baggage combine, and #553? a Sandy River and Rangely Lakes Railroad caboose.  For those who remember a prior post, note that the caboose has one of those dangerous and eventually banned doors built into the side.  It looks like a gorgeous restoration but I didn't have time to explore, as they called us back on board. Also, notice the swing bridge.  (I think there was a fire or something some years ago that put a literal end to this part of the route.):

All aboard! Ready to head back (engine and combine #12):

After the trip, I picked up some souvenir coal from the ground -- one piece for me and one for my 93-year young railfan mother!   Who knew?  And just for fun, here's the Miss Portland Diner where we ate afterward:

Tomlinson Run Railroad

dk122trains posted:

I love those trains they have such character.

They really do, don't they?  They are so photogenic, too!

colorado hirailer posted:

You lucked out!  I was just there in Sept. for the narrow gauge convention and had to ride the Portland train behind a smelly ole diesel!  Although up in the cupola of the combine caboose, so it wasn't a total loss.

Yes, we really did.  There is no mention of the steam engine(s) anymore on the newer website, so I was really surprised.  But lucky you getting a ride in the cupola.  A "combine caboose" makes sense given that side door.  Thanks for providing the correct lingo.  I hope the rest of the convention was interesting and fun -- Maine is certainly the state to head to for active narrow gauge restorations.

TRRR

Yes, Boothbay, Me., also has a running restored set of the two foot trains, with another combine caboose, authentic, to ride , as well as a railbus.  I found Me. very interesting and scenic. Also was at Bath where they built and launched clipper ships. While I was there they launched a stealth sub. 

Boothbay is on my list someday, Colorado Hirailer.  Did you get there as well?  Glad that you enjoyed the "Vacation State" and that you were able to see the stealth sub[destroyer] at Bath.  I saw it on the news. It appeared to have some geometry in common with earlier stealth planes but struck me as being so ugly that maybe they should hide it! :-}

UPDATE: After reading about this ship and seeing much better photos than the quick TV news shot I'd seen, I take back my most uncharitable comments.  It was interesting reading about it; the new stealth destroyer really is something.

Another story from our trip to the Narrow Gauge RR.  As we came to a crossing, the whistle sounded two longs and a short.  My mother turned to me and said "There's one more".  Then the final long sounded.  Pretty neat.

Tomlinson Run Railroad