Portland, ME – The Train Museum

We docked in Portland early on Saturday morning, October 2, 2010. After all the rain and wind of the last two days, the sight of beautiful blue skies and a bright sun was a welcomed change. The winds had died down to a mild breeze and the temperature reached a balmy 66. What a gorgeous day.

After the normal morning routine of reading and blogging and this time not spilling coffee, we all left the ship to see the sights of downtown Portland.

Our first stop was the Narrow Gauge Train Museum where we took some great pictures. The standard rail width in America is 4’ 8 1/2” but in Maine some of the trains used a narrow track only 2’ wide. This museum was a tribute to those trains and the museum, housed in a warehouse by the pier, contained about 8 different train cars used in the early 20th century.

We took the 40 minute train ride on some old cars which took us along the park on the shores of Casco Bay.  That’s me by the engine.

The conductor was very informative relaying all the history of Maine’s Narrow Gauge system.

We saw the B&M Baked Bean plant. It’s the red building. They also make Old El Paso products there. Viva La Texas!

We learn what the expression “riding the rails” meant. The hoboes would jump onto the bottom of the train and strap themselves onto these rails which are underneath the train car. Here is Frank attempting to perform this feat on a parked train. Needless to say, he’d be meatloaf back in the day.

All Aboard!