Located just steps from Portland’s historic Old Port district, the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad & Museum offers rides aboard equipment from the state’s historic 2-foot gauge railroads that ran between the 1870s and 1940s.
Choices
The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad & Museum offers 40-minute excursion runs along Casco Bay with excellent views of the water and city. Excursions leave from a station near the Portland Ocean Gateway. The train has both open-air and enclosed cars, depending on the season. Advance reservations are not necessary during the regular season excursions.
When to go
Weekend excursions begin in February and trains run daily from May 1 to October 31. Polar Express excursions are offered in November and December.
Good to know
During the summer, excursions are powered by a unique 23-ton diesel locomotive (built in 1949 by General Electric for the Whiten Machine Shop), or Bridgton & Saco River Railroad 2-4-4T No. 7 (built in 1913 by Baldwin, the largest operating steam locomotive from Maine’s five 2-foot gauge railroads), or Monson Railroad 0-4-4RT No. 3 (an unusual Forney type, built in 1913 by Vulcan). Polar Express trains are always powered by steam.
Worth doing
Portland has been hailed as one of America’s “foodiest cities” by Bon Appetit and has dozens of fantastic restaurants, pubs, and breweries. Many can be found near the railroad in the Old Port, an area known for its historic buildings and cobblestone streets.
Don’t miss
The Polar Express in November and December is the railroad’s biggest event of the year when it transports passengers through a winter wonderland of lights. The interior of the train is decorated, and cookies and hot chocolate are served. Reservations are highly recommended, and tickets usually go on sale in September.
Getting there
The railroad is about a 5-minute drive from Interstate 295. Take Exit 7 to Franklin Street and continue for 0.7 miles. Turn left on Commercial Street and follow it for a block, past India Street, where Commercial Street becomes Thames Street. Continue for two blocks until you reach the station building on your right. Metered parking is available on surrounding streets and parking lots or at the Ocean Gateway Parking Garage at 167 Fore St.
Location: 49 Thames Street, Portland, ME
Phone: 207-828-0814
Website: mainenarrowgauge.org
E-mail: Form on website
