Boothbay, ME
Railway Village Museum
Trip at a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-25- TypeMaine two-foot-gauge museum railway and living-history village
- LocationBoothbay, ME
- Rating4.7 ★518 Google reviews
- UpcomingSat, Sep 26
- AccessibilityMost buildings have accessible entrances; request the ramped open coach at least 24 hours ahead
About Railway Village Museum
Railway Village Museum is a 35-acre living-history campus in Boothbay centered on a working two-foot-gauge railway. Standard museum admission includes rides around more than three-quarters of a mile of track plus access to the 1912 Freeport station, 1871 Thorndike station, railroad exhibits, more than 60 antique vehicles, a large model railroad, historic village buildings, and changing demonstrations. The official site publishes hourly trains from 11 a.m. through 4 p.m. during regular open days and asks visitors to call ahead for the day's schedule and equipment.
Plan the Train, Village, and Collection
Choose the visit that fits your groupEvery visitor
Confirm the operating day
The official pages publish regular hours and hourly trains but ask visitors to call for the day's equipment and schedule.
Train-first visitors and families
Ride before the last departure
Trains leave hourly from 11 a.m. through 4 p.m.; do not leave the loop ride until after the last call.
Wheelchair and scooter users
Request ramped boarding ahead
Give at least 24 hours' notice for the open coach with ramped wheelchair or scooter access.
History, vehicle, and model-railroad visitors
Protect time for the collections
The model railroad, antique auto museum, historic stations, village buildings, and rail collection can fill several hours beyond the ride.
Full-day Boothbay planners
Add the botanical gardens separately
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is about 3.8 road miles away and needs its own timed ticket, walking block, and pet plan.
Upcoming Events
Official schedule information
2026 special-event calendar
Schedule information was checked against the linked official source. Dates, availability, and operating conditions can change. Check the live official calendar ↗
Plan Your Visit
- 2026 openingThe regular season opened May 23; confirm the current open day before driving
- Regular hoursPublished museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; the official home page describes regular Tuesday-Sunday service
- Train scheduleHourly departures from 11 a.m. through 4 p.m.; last train leaves promptly at 4 p.m.
- Ride formatVintage coach ride on a two-foot-gauge loop of more than three-quarters of a mile
- 2026 admission$20 adults 18-64, $15 adults 65+, $10 children 4-17, age 3 and under free
- Return valueStandard admission includes a second free admission day and train rides within seven days; receipt required
- Time blockAllow 2-4 hours for the train, railroad exhibits, model railroad, antique autos, and village buildings
- AccessibilityMost buildings have accessible entrances; request the ramped open coach at least 24 hours ahead
- TerrainMostly firm, level unpaved roads with a steeper grade near the goat pen and blacksmith shop
- FoodPack a picnic for the four-acre green or buy limited snacks and beverages at the general store
- DogsWell-behaved leashed dogs are welcome, including during museum special events
- Daily variabilitySteam or diesel power, Model T rides, artisans, and demonstrations depend on operations and volunteers
- ParkingFree on-site lot
- Time zoneEastern Time
Find the Depot
The Trains
The museum's two-foot-gauge railroad uses vintage and replica Maine narrow-gauge rolling stock over a loop of more than three-quarters of a mile. The official railroad history identifies a German Henschel locomotive built in 1913 and imported by founder George McEvoy in 1964, along with surviving S. D. Warren Baldwin locomotives 1 and 2 built in 1895. Vintage coaches and an open wheelchair-accessible coach carry visitors. Steam, diesel, car, and program assignments vary, so historic photographs and roster notes are context rather than a promise for a specific day.
History
The preserved Freeport station was built for the Maine Central Railroad.
George McEvoy moved Freeport station to Boothbay and imported a 1913 Henschel locomotive.
The site opened as Maine's first public railway museum.
The volunteer restoration of 1895 Baldwin locomotive 2 was completed.
The model railroad exhibit moved into the Ronald E. Spinney Building.
The museum opened its advertised 62nd season on May 23.
See full history
George McEvoy began collecting railroad artifacts around 1963. He bought the Maine Central's 1912 Freeport station after its closure, moved the dismantled building 39.2 miles to Boothbay in nine truck trips during February 1964, and built the museum around it. The site opened to the public in 1965 as Maine's first public railway museum. It expanded into a village of relocated buildings and transportation collections while preserving Maine's distinctive two-foot-gauge story. The museum marked its 60th season in 2024 and advertises its 62nd season in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are train rides included in admission?
Yes during standard admission days. Special events may use separate admission or train tickets, so check the exact event page.
When do trains run?
The museum publishes hourly departures from 11 a.m. through 4 p.m., with the last train leaving promptly at 4 p.m. Call ahead for the current day's schedule and equipment.
Is steam guaranteed?
No. The museum may use steam or diesel power, and volunteer-dependent programs can change daily.
Can a wheelchair user ride?
Yes. An open coach with ramped access is available with at least 24 hours' advance notice.
Can I bring food?
Yes. Visitors are invited to bring a picnic for the tables or four-acre green; limited snacks and beverages are sold onsite.
Can I bring a dog?
Well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome during the season and special events. Clean up after them.
How much time should I allow?
Allow two to four hours if you want the train, model railroad, antique auto museum, railroad collection, and village buildings rather than only one loop ride.
Is the botanical garden included?
No. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is an independent attraction with separate admission, hours, and visitor rules.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 25, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Official 2026 hours, admission, train, access, food, dog, and variability guidance
- Official museum overview and current 2026 opening notice
- Official railroad collection, loop, equipment, and station overview
- Official Freeport station and museum founding history
- Official 2026 WordPress event feed and individual event pages
- Official Baldwin locomotive restoration history
- Wikimedia Commons exact reusable image pages
