Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad (2009)
| Company type | Nonprofit organization |
|---|---|
| Industry | Heritage railroad |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Headquarters | Unity , United States |
Area served | Waldo County, Maine |
| Owner | Brooks Preservation Society |
| Website | www |
The Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad—known as the Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railway between 2009 and 2012—is operated by the Brooks Preservation Society (BPS), a nonprofit entity founded in 2008 dedicated to safeguarding historic railroad assets within Waldo County, Maine.
History
Following the discontinuation of the original Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad Company, chartered in 1867, in 2008, the BPS was formed as a volunteer-driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Its mission included acquiring and conserving vital properties such as the 1892-built B&MLRR station located in Brooks.
Among the rolling stock obtained by BPS were two functional diesel-electric locomotives from the 1940s manufactured by GE: BML#50, introduced in 1946 as the first diesel power on the line, and BML#53, purchased in 1970 from Vermont’s Montpelier and Barre Railroad. Additional equipment encompassed a track inspection vehicle, an observation car, a vintage Pullman chair car, a stainless steel coach/café car, and a caboose.
In February 2009, BPS secured a lease for a 30-mile stretch of state-owned track running from the Belfast/Waldo town boundary to Burnham Junction from the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT). By July of that year, weekend excursion trains were operating between Brooks and Waldo. Later in 2009, BPS expanded its leased track by three miles within Belfast city limits through an agreement with Unity Property Management, facilitating seasonal train service from Upper Bridge to Waldo.
The City of Belfast acquired this city-owned segment in July 2010 with plans to transform it into a multi-use rail trail while continuing to lease it to BPS for seasonal excursions. However, after two seasons of operation, the City ended the lease in October 2012 and pursued railbanking under the National Trails System Act to convert the corridor into a recreational trail.
In response to losing access to this section, BPS shifted its excursion operations in 2013 to the City Point Museum station site, which it later purchased. The remaining city-owned right-of-way along with the state-owned portion continues to support seasonal weekend excursions and special event services.
Between late 2014 and mid-2016, over 300 short tons of historic steel rails and related materials were removed by the City from this corridor as part of developing the "Passy Rail Trail," a dedicated pedestrian and bicycle pathway.
By 2018, BPS had relocated its operational base to Unity, Maine. Passenger trains now run twice daily throughout the year on routes passing Unity Pond and Burnham Bog en route to Thorndike. During summer months, pedal-powered Rail Bike rides are offered, accommodating two riders per bike.
From 2018 through 2021, BML significantly expanded its maintenance-of-way equipment through auctions and collaborations with Canadian Pacific Railway. Restoration efforts included machinery formerly used by regional railroads such as Bangor and Aroostook Railroad and CSX Transportation. Infrastructure improvements involved achieving FRA Class 1 track standards from Burnham Junction to Thorndike Yard, ditching work, culvert replacements, vegetation clearing for safe operations, refurbishing historic passenger cars—including a Maine Central Pullman—and major locomotive overhauls like that of BML#53. These upgrades have strengthened operational dependability and supported continued growth in excursion services.
Equipment
| Number | Type | Class | Manufacturer | Year Built | Current Condition | Additional Information | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | Diesel | 70-ton switcher | General Electric | 12/1946 | In service | ||
| 53 | Diesel | 70-ton switcher | General Electric | 01/1947 | Under maintenance | ||
| 51 | Diesel | 70-ton switcher | General Electric | 12/1946 | On display | ||
| 1483 | Diesel | GP9 | Electro-Motive Division | 01/1959 | In service | Leased from Otter Tail Valley Railroad | |
| 1950 | Diesel | 44-ton switcher | General Electric | 06/1950 | In service | ||
| 7926 | Diesel | 45-ton switcher | General Electric | 03/1944 | In service | ||
| 1524 | Diesel | MP15 | Electro-Motive Diesel | 01/1982 | In service | Property of Maine Switching Services | |
| 1585 | Diesel | GP9u | Electro-Motive Diesel | 05/1955 | In service | Owned by LTEX | |
| 8231 | Diesel | GP9u | Electro-Motive Diesel | 02/1958 | In service | Owned by LTEX | |
| 3902 | Diesel | GP39-3M (rebuilt GP35) | Electro-Motive Diesel | 02/1964 | In service | Owned by LTEX | |
| 1555 | Diesel | EMD GP9u | Electro-Motive Diesel | 07/1956 | In service | Owned by LTEX |
External links
- Heritage railroads in Maine
- Maine railroads
- Passenger rail transportation in Maine
- Railway companies established in 2009
- Transportation in Waldo County, Maine
- Tourist attractions in Waldo County, Maine
- American companies established in 2009
- 2009 establishments in Maine
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment