Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum

Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum Family-friendly scenic train rides year-round! We are history in motion. All aboard! Welcome to the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad! No two trips are the same!
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Our narrow gauge train offers BIG fun for the family! Enjoy a scenic, delightful 3-mile roundtrip train ride along Portland, Maine's Eastern Promenade. Take in the sights along Casco Bay as you ride on comfortable, historic coaches and equipment from the storied two-foot narrow gauge railroads of Maine's past, as well as modern lovingly-made replica recreations. Our trains are pulled by an authent

ic steam locomotive or a small and mighty diesel locomotive! Visit often for special events like children's ice cream trains or the magical Polar Express, offered during the holiday season. Make lifetime memories with your whole family with an affordable, exciting visit to our railroad. Get tickets at our train station at 49 Thames Street in Portland or online at etix.com/ticket/v/15878/maine-narrow-gauge-railroad! Gift shop and restrooms are available in the station. Charters, weddings, and tour groups WELCOME aboard our handicap-accessible railroad. Memberships are available and entitle you to special perks! Become a member today and play a part in keeping our "rolling museum" in downtown Portland, as well as help preserve the legacy of Maine's historic two-foot gauge railroads. Your journey into the past begins here. Find out more at MaineNarrowGauge.org.

Over the weekend of May 9 & 10, 2026, Maine Narrow Gauge put on "Steam Weekend," a weekend of steam-powered train rides ...
06/06/2026

Over the weekend of May 9 & 10, 2026, Maine Narrow Gauge put on "Steam Weekend," a weekend of steam-powered train rides powered by Bridgton & S**o River Railroad steam engine #7, a 1913-built 2-4-4T Baldwin narrow gauge steam locomotive.

While we are fundraising for a new steam engine storage facility to permanently house #7, this was a rare occasion for authentic steam train action in Portland! We were pleased to run #7 for nearly 250 passengers, plus well-wishers who were quick to wave at the train, give us a thumbs-up, ask questions about the history of trains in Maine, and show support for steam trains in Portland!

If you'd like to contribute toward #7's new storage building, please donate online at MaineNarrowGauge.org/buildingsteam or send a check to: Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad, PO Box 739, Portland, Maine 04104. We are hopeful to have plenty more steam days in Portland once our new storage building is constructed! Donations may be tax-deductible as allowable by law.

Maine Narrow Gauge was not alone in running 24" gauge steam trains in Maine during Steam Weekend. Our friends at Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington Railway Museum and Maine Locomotive & Machine Works held a special photo charter featuring ex-Monson Railroad steam engine #3, owned by Maine Narrow Gauge. The event was assisted by WW&F's own steam engine, ex-Sandy River / ex-Kennebec Central / ex-WW&F (original) #9. Proceeds supported the ongoing restoration of Monson Railroad steam engine #4.

In Portland, we were joined by our friends from Bridgton & S**o River Railroad Museum, who had a display table in our station throughout the weekend which provided additional context for passengers about the legendary Bridgton & S**o River Railroad / Bridgton & Harrison Railway.

Thanks to all passengers, volunteers, donors, supporters, staff, and well-wishers who made this wonderful weekend of steam possible! Thanks as well to Darleen Frances / The Model Photographer for captivating photography of the weekend's fun!

Portland-area locals: if you noticed work being done on our tracks next to the Eastern Prom Trail during May, here is a ...
06/03/2026

Portland-area locals: if you noticed work being done on our tracks next to the Eastern Prom Trail during May, here is a report of our activities:

With our busy season picking up soon, the time was right to improve the tracks near Fish Point for the benefit of our guests, our historic railroad equipment, and our neighbors who enjoy the beautiful Eastern Prom Trail.

We replaced 147 standard gauge ties with new five-foot narrow gauge ties in the Fish Point area. Laid end to end, that is about 735 feet of ties, longer than two football fields.

The work also removed roughly 175 cubic yards of spoils, including soil, organic material, and buildup that had collected along the track.

To put that in perspective, that is about 25 dump truck loads of material removed from the railroad.

This work matters because good track depends on strong ties, solid ballast, proper drainage, secure rail joints, and good visibility. Removing built-up material helps water move away from the track instead of sitting against the ties and ballast, which helps reduce soft spots, tie decay, and future maintenance needs. It also opens up the Fish Point curve and improves the line of sight for train crews.

The May work also included spiking, tie plate work, ditching, switch maintenance, cleanup, and repairing rail joints. Joint work is especially important because tight, properly supported joints help keep the rails aligned and the track secure. We hope to make joint repair an ongoing, regular project through the summer on days when trains are not running.

During this current week, the week of June 1, we expect to finish tamping near Cutter Street and continue tie replacement and tamping at the far end of our line, next to the former Grand Trunk Railway swing bridge.

Later in June, we hope to install solar security lights at at the scenic overlook at the end of our line to deter unwanted overnight activity and improve after-hours visibility.

Each tie replaced, each joint repaired, each load of material removed, and each section tamped helps strengthen the railroad we all care about and prepares us for a safe, reliable, and successful season.

Portland-area families: join us for Train Storytime at the South Portland Public Library! The fun begins Saturday, June ...
06/01/2026

Portland-area families: join us for Train Storytime at the South Portland Public Library! The fun begins Saturday, June 6 at 10:30am at the main branch, located at 482 Broadway in South Portland, Maine.

Conductor David O. will do a live reading of train-themed books for young audiences. A Q&A session follows about what it's like to work on a railroad! Don't miss train-themed arts and crafts following the reading.

This event is free and open to the public! Thank you to our friends at the South Portland Public Library for inviting us to share our love of trains and history with local families.

☔ Rain this coming weekend won't dampen any narrow gauge fun in Portland! Join us for:- 🚂 Narrated Train Rides: now runn...
05/28/2026

☔ Rain this coming weekend won't dampen any narrow gauge fun in Portland! Join us for:

- 🚂 Narrated Train Rides: now running six days per week! Hop aboard for an informative, exciting train ride along Portland's waterfront. Learn about the history of Casco Bay and how trains helped make Maine into the state we know and love today.

- 🍨 Ice Cream Trains: Beginning Friday, May 29 at 6pm & 7pm! All passengers get a free ice cream treat with their ticket. The perfect way to start your summer.

- 🌅 The Sunset Express: Beginning Saturday, May 30 at 6pm & 7 pm. Rain or shine, grab your complimentary beverage and relax on a narrow gauge train ride. Family-friendly and 21+ beverage options available.

Book your tickets at MaineNarrowGauge.org or visit our station at 65 Thames Street in Portland!

📸: Darleen Frances / The Model Photographer

🚨 Operating Schedule Update for Tuesday May 26, 2026: 🚨Dear guests, please note that train service for Tuesday, May 26 h...
05/25/2026

🚨 Operating Schedule Update for Tuesday May 26, 2026: 🚨

Dear guests, please note that train service for Tuesday, May 26 has been suspended as we make an operational adjustment for the remainder of this month's schedule.

All pre-booked passengers have been notified and refunded. We will also rebook passengers with advance tickets to another day and departure of their choosing at no cost. If you are a ticketed passenger, check your email to redeem this offer.

We appreciate everyone's understanding as we focus on providing a safe, reliable, and high-quality experience for our guests. Service will resume as scheduled on Wednesday, May 27.

On Memorial Day, we honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country...
05/25/2026

On Memorial Day, we honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

We are also deeply grateful to the many veterans among our volunteers, guests, supporters, and staff for their service and dedication. As a symbol of our respect and gratitude, we proudly fly the Stars and Stripes on all of our locomotives throughout the season.

Thank you to all who have served. We salute you and our fallen brothers and sisters on Memorial Day.

It's shaping up to be a beautiful weekend in Portland! Don't let the narrow gauge train pass you by without taking a rid...
05/22/2026

It's shaping up to be a beautiful weekend in Portland! Don't let the narrow gauge train pass you by without taking a ride with us!

Trains are running Saturday, May 23; Sunday, May 24; and Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day).

After Memorial Day, we begin Tuesday through Sunday service through the end of October, plus extra service on select Mondays in the fall.

We can't wait to welcome you aboard! Get advance tickets at MaineNarrowGauge.org or visit our station at 65 Thames Street in Portland on an operating day.

Portland-area friends, we need your help.Maine Narrow Gauge has recently experienced a troubling increase in overnight v...
05/20/2026

Portland-area friends, we need your help.

Maine Narrow Gauge has recently experienced a troubling increase in overnight vandalism at our railroad in Portland's East End. In just the past week, our crews have arrived in the early mornings to discover:

• Spray paint on the historic railcars and critical railroad infrastructure
• The protective shrink-wrap that covers our train cars was slashed open on every car
• Break-ins into our historic collection (which damages the entryways to the train cars)
• Damage to train car windows
• Signs for pedestrian safety have been repeatedly stolen, and continue to be stolen
• A protective barrier at our scenic overlook has been completely destroyed
• Electric and audio cables that connect between the train cars have been stolen
• Graffiti across railroad property and visitor areas

These incidents occur late at night, despite our many efforts to secure and protect our site and equipment.

As a small independent educational non-profit museum, we are forced to address these issues with very limited support, even from the City of Portland.

Although we have voiced our concerns to local authorities, we continue to have to fend for ourselves against vandalism. Every repair, cleanup, replacement item, and security measure takes much-needed time and funding away from our other programming.

Our volunteers and staff work incredibly hard to maintain this unique waterfront experience, and it is discouraging to repeatedly see that work damaged overnight.

We try to showcase the best of Portland for our 75,000 annual visitors, but these recent developments have been troubling for the railroad's long-term viability on the waterfront.

If you are in the area during late evening or early morning hours and witness suspicious activity around the railroad, the tracks, or the train cars, we encourage you to contact local authorities immediately. Awareness from our concerned neighbors and local vigilance can make a real difference. Please work alongside us to deter and report vandalism that affects our ability to do business in Portland.

We remain committed to preserving and operating our railroad for our community and visitors, and we are grateful for the continued support so many of you show us every day.

"Tickets, tickets please!" Visit Maine Narrow Gauge for a train ride this weekend and hear our Conductor make this timel...
05/15/2026

"Tickets, tickets please!" Visit Maine Narrow Gauge for a train ride this weekend and hear our Conductor make this timeless announcement!

Trains are running Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17 in Portland. Trains depart at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, and 5pm. Each trip takes 40 minutes. All trains depart from our station at 65 Thames Street in Portland, Maine.

Get tickets in advance at MaineNarrowGauge.org or see a Ticket Agent when the station is open.

Meet our friendly crew, take in the springtime scenery of Casco Bay, and experience classic Maine-style narrow gauge railroading!

Image courtesy of Darleen Frances / The Model Photographer

05/10/2026

Steam engine #7 crosses through Cutter Street in Portland, Maine.

#7 was built in 1913 for the Bridgton and S**o River Railroad. After hauling freight and passengers on the Bridgton line, it was bought by the Edaville Railroad of South Carver, Massachusetts. Engine 7 remained at Edaville for nearly 50 years.

The first iteration of Edaville closed in 1992. Engine 7 was given a third life when it was brought back north to Maine to be part of the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum’s collection. It was given a complete restoration that was finished in 2019 - one of our museum’s biggest accomplishments to date.

Today, #7 is a head-turner in Portland! We were thrilled to have #7 in steam in May 2026, demonstrating the romanticism and mechanical know-how that made railroads all over the world possible.

Thanks to our guests, supporters, volunteers, train crew, and team who made Maine Steam Weekend 2026 a wonderful success!

Address

65 Thames Street
Portland, ME
04101

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9:30am - 6pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 6pm
Thursday 9:30am - 6pm
Friday 9:30am - 8pm
Saturday 9:30am - 8pm
Sunday 9:30am - 6pm

Telephone

+12078280814

Website

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