Winter on the WWFRy: Steam & Sleighs and Steam Train Snow Day, February 2022

*Footage shot on 2/5, 12, 19, and 26/2022
Program Itinerary:

Steam & Sleighs - Bridgton & Saco No. 7:
Retrieving cars from Sheepscot car barn in the north yard: 0:00
Departure from Sheepscot/traversing through Sheepscot North Yard:
Jayne’s Way Crossing:
Cockeye Curve (Sutters Crossing):
Humason Brook Trestle:
Milepost 6:
Meet with WWFRy No. 9 at Alna Center:
Albee’s Field:

Steam & Sleighs - Wiscasset Waterville & Farmington No. 9:
Taking on water at Sheepscot Tank:
Departure from Top of the Mountain:
Rosewood:
Along Humason Brook:
Humason Brook Trestle:
Cockeye Curve (Sutters Crossing):
Arrival into Sheepscot Yard:
Passing B&SR 7:

Steam Train Snow Day - Wiscasset Waterville & Farmington No. 9:
Cockeye Curve:
Delivery of flatcar 118 to Maine Locomotive & Machine Works:
Departure from ML&MW:
Photo Runby at Alna Center:

The winters of Maine can be a harsh mistress, but if there’s one reason to venture out into the vast snow covered forests, it’s to see these iron horses of yesteryear; rambling along their 2 foot rails. The cold winter air greatly enhancing the visual effect of steam, creating sensational bellowing clouds that are so familiar to the idea of steam locomotion. Each Saturday for the entire month of February 2022, the sound of chime and hooter whistles echo throughout the Sheepscot Valley.

Wiscasset Waterville & Farmington No. 9 and Bridgton and Saco River No. 7 operate the Steam and Sleigh service, bringing passengers to Sealyon Farm via sleigh connection. The final Saturday of the month was an extra Snow Day event with WWF No. 9, parts from Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes No 4 had been awaiting shipment to Maine Locomotive & Machine, with fresh snow in the forecast, it was made an event, with runbys at Alna Center for good measure. Aside from the historic nature of the operation itself, the route features iconic Maine forest scenes, with Humason Brook snaking around a section of the line around Milepost 6. Rebuilt facilities such as stations, storage sheds and the Sheepscot Water Tower all populate the line. Steam & Sleighs services featured meets between the trains at Alna Center, making for a rare occasion outside of photo charters.

Editors Note: My video composition here is based off the event and the location/direction of travel, while it might not be as noticeable in other videos of similar composition, the days of operating were wildly varied. The first weekend was in the single digit temperatures, the second and third however was rather warmer, prompting the loss of snow and the addition of the open-air car to No. 7’s train.

Enjoy the sights and sounds of winter narrow gauge steam!