MAINE CENTRAL RAILROAD COMPANY
==================================
Historical Snapshot: *Incorporated October 28, 1862 as a consolidation of 1. Androscoggin & Kennebee Railroad 2. Penobscot & Kennebee Railroad. * In 1874 the Maine Central absorbed the: 1. The Portland & Kennebee Ralroad 2. The Somerset & Kennebee Railroad 3. The Leeds & Farminton Railroad. * In 1888 they absorbed the Maine Shore Line Railroad. * In 1901 they absorbed the Knoxville, Belfast & Moosehead Lake. from this point until 1916 the company would continue the absorption, merger and long term leasing of many other adjoining companys. * In 1916 the Maine Central reported having 1,221 miles of operating (635 miles owned, 565 miles leased, and 21 miles of trackage rights) railroad in Maine and New Hampshire. Motive power and rollingstock included 215 steam engines, 345 passenger cars and 9,706 freight cars. The company also owned and operated the famous Maine two-foot guage 21.23 mile Brigton & Saco River and the 103.35 mile Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes railroads. * On July 1, 1923 the company went into forclosure. They did recover however. * The Maine Central, like most American railroads, suffrered through the Depression years, the coming of the automobile and the truck, and changes in rail Technology. It became slimer and trimed its operations. * In 1940 the company reported owning 660 miles of track, leasing 304 miles of track and trackage rights over 26 miles of other company lines for a total of 990 miles. Motive Power and rollingstock included 150 steam engines, 150 passneger cars and 5,800 freight cars. * In 1960 the company reported essentially the same milage but during this year (September 5) the last passenger train would run. from then until the final sale of the company the business continued but at a much smaller scale. * Purchased by Gilford Rail Systems in 1981 and combined with Boston & Maine Railroad (1983) and Delaware & Hudson (1984). Renamed Springfield Terminal Railway. * See Springfield Terminal Railway after 1981
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.
Maine Central 4-6-0 #114
Image, Maine Central 4-6-0 steam loco #114 Order No. PB114I A Maine Central 4-6-2 steam locomotive #114 is seen. Shopping Cart 8.5" by 11" Image, Price - $ 5.00 [Add To Cart] -------------------Maine Central 4-6-0 #370
Image, Maine Central 4-6-0 steam Loco #370 Order No. PB370I Maine Central 4-6-0 locomotive #370 is seen under steam. Shopping Cart 8.5" by 11" Image, Price - $ 5.00 [Add To Cart] -------------------Maine Central 2-8-0 #512
Image, Maine Central 2-8-0 locomotive #512 Order No. PB512I Photographer: Arthur B. Johnson Maine Central 2-8-0 steam locomotive #512 sits at the engine terminal on September 25, 1948. Shopping Cart 8.5" by 11" Image, Price - $ 5.00 [Add To Cart] -------------------Maine Central 2-8-2 #623
Image, Maine Central 2-8-2 locomotive #623 Order No. PB623I Photographer: Howard Davis Maine Central 2-8-2 heavy steam locomotive #623 is photographed at the engine house at Portland, Maine. Shopping Cart 8.5" by 11" Image, Price - $ 5.00 [Add To Cart] -------------------- Diesels --------------------Maine Central GP38 diesel #256
Image, Maine Central EMD GP38 diesel #256, 1981 For reference only, not for sale! Photographer: David H. Hamely Bangor, Maine, June 10, 1981: The diesel crew is about ready to make a move with Maine Central EMD GP38 road diesel #256 out of the engine yard. --------------------Maine Central GP7 diesel #561
Image, Maine Central EMD GP7 diesel #561, 1969 For reference only, not for sale! Photographer: David H. Hamely A Maine Central lone EMD GP7 road diesel poses at South Portland, Maine. --------------------Maine Central GP7 diesel #569
Image, Maine Central EMD GP7 diesel #569, 1978 For reference only, not for sale! Photographer: David H. Hamely A Maine Central EMD GP7 road diesel #569 is captured in the Autum sun at Portland, Maine, October 3, 1978. --------------------Maine Central GP7 diesel #571
Image, Maine Central EMD GP7 diesel #571, 1978 For reference only, not for sale! Photographer: Phlip C. Faudi South Portland, Maine, May 2, 1978: A Maine Central EMD GP7 road diesel #571 is photographed at sunset. --------------------
Click here
to return to the section on
CHICAGO/GREAT LAKES AREA & EASTERN RAILROADS
Click here to return to Master Database page.