BANGOR & AROOSTOOK RAILROAD COMPANY
========================================
Historical Snapshot: * Incorporated February 13, 1891. The railroad first opened for operation in 1895. * By October 30, 1919, It included the long-term lease of the Northern Maine Seaport Railroad and several other small local shortlines, all of which it finally acquired and merged on this date. The Bangor & Aroostook as of this time was operating 625 miles of railroad in northeastern Maine and its primary business was lumber, paper products and potatoes. The Company was controlled by the Aroostook Construction Company which sold said interest in 1924. * The Company, was often referred to as the "Potato Railroad" with 30% of its freight being in potatoes. As the Depression years ensued, because of the company's excellent financial position, it was able to weather the storm and do much right-of -way improvement. It did, however, lose significant business and go from having 32 operating locomotives in 1920 to only five at the begining of 1941. Likewise, passenger cars went from 50 to only nine. One of the road's strong points was its through connection to the Canadian National Railway across the Company owned Van Buren International bridge into St. Leanrd, New Brunswick, Canada. In the 1940's fifteen 4-8-2's and several newer 2-8-0's did the primary work of the road. *In October 13, 1964 the Company was acquired by the Bangor Punta Algre Sugar Corporation. For the next 30 years it operated using many smaller diesel castoffs and ex early road diesels. During this period many branches were closed and with the end of the potato market in the early 1970's the road floundered at best. It ended with several newer GP38's and a few switchers providing service. * In 1995 It was resold ending in bankruptsy in 2002. At that time what was left was acquired by the Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway and continues to operate to this day.
All items in this railroad section are shopping cart accessible.
In addition to being able to buy via mail, our have us send you a PayPal invoice, direct shopping via a PayPal shopping cart is now also available.
B&A 1941 MAP
B&A 4-6-0 #142
Image, Bangor & Aroostoock 4-6-0 #142 Order No. BA142I Photograph from the original Paul Eilenburger Collection In this captivating locomotive scene Bangor & Aroostoock ten-wheeler #142 poses in the early 1930's. This was one of only five owned locomotives as of this time. Shopping Cart 8.5" by 11" Image, Price - $ 5.00 [Add To Cart] -------------------- Diesels --------------------B&A NW2 diesel #21
Image, Bangor & Aroostook NW2 diesel switcher #21 Order No. BA21I Preique Isle, Maine, July, 1965: A lone Bangor & Aroostook NW2 early 1,000 horsepower diesel switcher #21 is captured. Shopping Cart 8.5" by 11" Image, Price - $ 5.00 [Add To Cart] --------------------B&A F3A diesel #46
Image, Bangor & Aroostook F3A EMD diesel #46, 1986 Order No. BA46I Photographer: Jogn Petko Reading, Pennsylvania December 14, 1986: Snow covers the hood and ice still hangs in the grill. Obviously it is cold where this Bangor & Aroostook F3A sits lifeless. Shopping Cart 8.5" by 11" Image, Price - $ 5.00 [Add To Cart] --------------------B&A GP7R diesel #66
Image, Bangor & Aroostook GP7R EMD diesels #66 Order No. BA66I Photographer: Phillip C. Faudi North Maine Jct., September 24, 1980: A Bangor & Aroostook GP7R sits on location ready for its next work assitgnment. Shopping Cart 8.5" by 11" Image, Price - $ 5.00 [Add To Cart] --------------------B&A GP9R diesel #79
Image, Bangor & Aroostook GP9R EMD diesels #79 Order No. BA79I A Bangor & Aroostook GP9R diesel locomotive #79 is seen at Scranton, Pennsylvania, February 26, 1977, during a Conrail lease. Shopping Cart 8.5" by 11" Image, Price - $ 5.00 [Add To Cart] --------------------
Click here to return to the section on
CHICAGO/GREAT LAKES AREA & EASTERN RAILROADS
Click here to return to Master Database page.
