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About Downeast Scenic Railroad
The Downeast Scenic Railroad carries passengers along the historic Calais Branch from Washington Junction west toward Brewer, presently covering the first four miles to Ellsworth Falls. Trains glide through the rolling landscape of Ellsworth, Maine, offering expansive views of forests, rivers and distant hills. Operated by the Downeast Rail Heritage Trust—a 501(c)(3) founded in the fall of 2005—the line began its inaugural run on 24 July 2010 and continues expanding toward Green Lake.
📍 ELLSWORTH, ME 04605
History
The Downeast Scenic Railroad is incorporated as a railway company in 2005. It is owned and operated by the Downeast Rail Heritage Trust, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that was founded in the fall of 2005. The line’s inaugural run takes place on Saturday, 24 July 2010, when invited guests travel the first four miles to Ellsworth Falls. The railroad continues to extend its historic Calais Branch westward from Ellsworth Falls toward Green Lake.
The Trains
Downeast runs a restored passenger train of vintage locomotives and renovated coaches over the former Maine Central Railroad's Calais Branch, with a canopy-covered open-air car among the consist — the first passenger service on these tracks since 1960.
Nearby
From Ellsworth, Maine, the Downeast Scenic Railroad sits about 25 mi from the Cole Land Transportation Museum, an easy pairing on a coastal trip.
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