Rockland Branch

Map
Map

The Rockland Branch is a railroad from Brunswick, Maine to Rockland, Maine. A charter was granted in 1849 to build a railway from the Portland and Kennebec Railroad on the west side of the Kennebec River to Rockland. Construction through the rocky headlands of the Atlantic coast proved more expensive than anticipated. The Knox and Lincoln Railroad commenced service to Rockland in 1871 using a ferry to cross the Kennebec River between Bath and Woolwich. The Knox and Lincoln was leased by Maine Central Railroad in 1891, and became Maine Central's Rockland Branch in 1901. Maine Central purchased the Samoset destination hotel in nearby Glen Cove (a part of neighbouring Rockport) in 1912, and offered direct passenger service for summer visitors from the large eastern cities. Carlton bridge was completed in 1927 to carry the railroad and U.S. Route 1 over the Kennebec River. Maine Central sold the Samoset hotel in 1941,[1] and the last Maine Central passenger train to Rockland was on 4 April 1959.[2] The State of Maine purchased the branch in 1987 to prevent abandonment. The line has subsequently been operated by the Maine Coast Railroad, the Maine Eastern Railroad,[3] and, beginning in 2016, the Central Maine and Quebec Railway.[4] In 2019, Canadian Pacific Railway agreed to purchase the Central Maine and Quebec, thereby inheriting the operation of the Rockland Branch.[5] The acquisition was completed on June 3, 2020.[6]

In 2021 Finger Lakes Railway (FGLK) subsidiary Midcoast Railservice (MCRI) took over operations of this line.[7]

As reported on railfan.com, "On June 12, 2024, it was announced Midcoast Railservice would exit the Rockland Branch and end its lease with the State of Maine, with B23-7 (FGLK 2310) and the RDC1 leaving the property (AEX 2003). The reasoning was mainly due to the closure of the large Dragon Cement plant in Thomaston, with remaining freight traffic averaging just 5 to 10 cars per month. Along with that, the RDC owner, AllEarth Renewables of Barre, VT., sold its entire RDC fleet in 2024 to interests in Quebec for use on a line once used by VIA Rail Canada’s Montreal-Gaspe Chaleur. Finger Lakes Railroad has reportedly said the second B23-7 (FGLK 2308) could be kept on the branch and leased to another operator — if the Maine Department of Transportation can find one."[8]

Map of the MEC Rockland Branch in 1920.
  1. ^ Peters, Bradley L. (1976). Maine Central Railroad Company. Maine Central Railroad.
  2. ^ Johnson, Ron (1985). The Best of Maine Railroads. Portland Litho. pp. 41–42, 45–46, 48, 55, 57&61.
  3. ^ "The Maine Central Railroad Rockland Branch and The Lime Rock Railroad". sullboat.com. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  4. ^ "Central Maine & Quebec to take over route of Maine Eastern". Trains Magazine. September 3, 2015. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  5. ^ "Canadian Pacific to Buy Rail Company That Runs Rockland Branch". Courier Publications, LLC. November 26, 2019. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  6. ^ "Canadian Pacific completes Central Maine & Quebec Railway acquisition". Railway Gazette Group. June 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  7. ^ Railfan and Railroad Magazine, "From Maine Coast to Midcoast," July 2024 Issue
  8. ^ "Midcoast Railservice - RailroadfanWiki".