2-Foot Through the Sheepscot Valley: Wiscasset, Waterville, & Farmington Railway: 10/18/2020

Program Itinerary:
Video Intro: Albee's Field: 0:00
Readying no. 9 for the day's operation: 0:45
Top of the Mountain - Loading boxcar 309 while no. 9 crawls up the 4% grade at Judy's Crossing entering the TotM yard: 2:37
Albee's Field: 4:16
Climbing "the Ladder" entering Alna Center Yard: 4:55
Loading milk canisters at Alna Center: 5:42
Runby at Alna Center: 6:55
South of Milepost 6, no. 9 passes a MoW crew and their handcar: 7:30
Humason Trestle: 8:08
Cockeye Curve: 8:34
Sheepscot Water Tank: 9:13
Arrival at Sheepscot Station: 9:29

1933, the midst of the Great Depression, the decade had so far proven to be desperate times, and no such company had such worse luck than the Wiscasset, Waterville, and Farmington Railway. Frank Winter purchased the line just 3 years ago, intent on creating a lumber empire, using the 2 foot gauge RR to haul timber from the Maine wilderness to the waterfront of the Black River in Wiscasset. Winter even purchased the Hesper and Luther Little just last year, the two 4 masted schooners were planned to transport lumber to Boston and New York City, giving plenty of hope to those working in the area. But while the depression crippled local economies, the years were also unkind to the WWFRY's infrastructure, the 5 locomotives that came with the railroad wouldn't turn a wheel after this year, 1931 would bring a roundhouse fire, burning the two largest pieces of motive power on the roster, with money tight, no. 6 and 7 were unceremoniously retired from service, Winter unable to foot the bill for their damages. 3 locomotives were left in the fleet, no. 2, 3, and 4, all of which were to have their boiler's condemned by the next year. Winter's solution was to purchase the newly defunct Kennebec Central Railroad, added 8 and 9 to the roster, both were preowned, hailing from the Bridgton and Saco, and the Sandy River (later reorganized as the Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes) respectively. Serving with no. 3, 9 would see operation for a fair bit of time on the WWFRY, running from February to June, 1933. We see her here, earning her keep for the railroad that, even when in the face of adversity, still continued operations, June 13, 1933 would be the last day 9 would turn a wheel in revenue service for the WWF, suffering from a break in the rear frame, 8 would resume her duties for 2 days. The Forney derailed in Whitefield running south, her cowcatcher digging into the embankment, while the crew continued their southbound train to Wiscasset, once they arrived, the railroad would cease operations battered and bruised, after facing so many hardships, it just wasn't feasible to clean up the wreck, and with that, the Sheepscot Valley went quiet, steam no longer filled the air.

Here you'll catch a glimpse of what once was, a railroad unknowingly in it's final days. We'll follow 9 as the Victorian 0-4-4 rumbles through the farmlands and forests of midcoast Maine, beginning at Top of the Mountain, tackling the grade coming from Head Tide, 9 can be seen serving the local farmers, in Alna Center, hauling milk for the Turner Dairy Association, crews unload the liquid gold for residents in town, a WWF truck making the deliveries. Continuing south, the train passes a MoW crew, doing their best to keep the dilapidated trackage in operating condition before arriving in Sheepscot, less than 5 miles away from the Wiscasset waterfront.

All of this wouldn't have been possible without the WWFRY Museum, please consider donating or visiting if you enjoy what you see, all being accomplished under the steady hands of countless volunteers ever since 1989. Needless to say, the reconstruction and passion of all involved is truly outstanding. A thank you also in order is to Dynamo Productions, for helping to organize the event and providing the financial backing to hold the charter.

Enjoy the sights and sounds of history recreated!