Riding the Maine Eastern Railroad

For scenic views of quintessential Maine, climb aboard the vintage rail cars of the Maine Eastern Railroad, traveling south from Rockland to Wiscasset...

...then on to Bath and Brunswick, reboarding there for a return trip.

You can travel the entire 57 mile, 2 hour route, both inland and across waterways, or for shorter rides, hop on board at one of its four stops. From the expansive windows of air conditioned coaches you will experience some of the best vistas Maine has to offer

Where is the Maine Coast Railroad?
The Maine Coast Railroad which operated both freight and passenger service between Wiscasset and Warren, Maine closed in December, 2000.

Maine Eastern Railroad Schedule

Year round, the Maine Eastern Railroad carries freight along its coastal Maine route. It is seasonally when passengers can experience their own ride on the rails.

Typically, from late May until late June the passenger train runs only on Saturdays and Sundays.

However, during the summer months and through the fall, it carries passengers from Wednesday through Sunday, with special trips offered during the December holiday season.

For detailed schedule information visit maineeasternrailroad.com, or call 866-MERAILS (866-637-2457).

Whether your travels bring you north, from Brunswick to Rockland, or south from Rockland to Brunswick, you will have a first-hand glimpse at parts of Maine's history, as you pass through...

Brunswick - Home to Bowdoin College, Brunswick is a scenic, quaint New England town, rich in history and cultural heritage.

Bath - Long known as the "City of Ships", for its shipbuilding and seafaring heritage, Bath has been listed as one the "Best Small Cities in America" and was deemed a "Distinctive Destination" by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, according to its official website.

Wiscasset - Situated on the Sheepscot River, is Wiscasset, the gateway to Midcoast Maine. Well known as "Maine's Prettiest Village" it's lovely downtown showcases rich maritime history and lots of local flavor.

And certainly not to be missed...

Rockland - Sitting on the waterfront of Penobscot Bay is Rockland, the retail center of Midcoast Maine and home to the annual Maine Lobster Festival (of course, since Rockland, Maine is the "Lobster Capitol of the World"!), the North Atlantic Blues Festival, the Maine Boats, Homes and Harbors Show, and many other seasonal events.

Amtrak Downeaster - Connecting Boston and Maine

Are you looking for a car free vacation? If you live in the greater Boston area, or anywhere between Boston and Portland, Maine, you may be in luck.

The Amtrak Downeaster train travels daily (365 days a year) from the Boston North Station through...

...Woburn, Haverhill, Exeter, Durham-UNH, Dover, Wells, Saco/Biddeford, Old Orchard Beach, on to Portland, Maine, and back again.

Although at this time the Amtrak Downeaster doesn't connect directly with the Maine Eastern Railroad, plans are in the works for that to happen. Hopefully by 2010 or 2011 passengers will no longer need to take a bus between Portland and Brunswick.

Amtrak Downeaster schedule and fare information, and ticket purchases, are available at amtrakdowneaster.com.