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WISCASSET, WATERVILLE & FARMINGTON RAILWAY

Experience Living History and Local Culture aboard our Railway Excursions in the Heart of Midcoast Maine

View All Activities

WISCASSET, WATERVILLE & FARMINGTON RAILWAY

Experience Living History and Local Culture aboard our Railway Excursions in the Heart of Midcoast Maine

View All Activities

Welcome to the WW&F Railway!


The WW&F Railway traces its roots to 1894 when the Wiscasset and Quebec Railroad constructed a two-foot “narrow” gauge railroad northward from the bustling wharves of Wiscasset. Far short of its international delusions of grandeur, the railway of “big dreams and little wheels” instead reached 50 miles into the heart of central Maine.

Reorganized as the Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington, the Railway served Maine’s Sheepscot Valley faithfully for the next 40 years before closing during the Great Depression.

Brought back from extinction by a team of dedicated volunteers, today’s railway connects you with a Maine that has all but slipped away.  See why the WW&F’s attractions and special events are among the best things to do in the Midcoast and our membership and volunteer  programs have helped to set the standard for railway preservation in the United States. Join us to experience authentic Maine. It is yours to discover and explore – we will take you there.

Welcome to the WW&F Railway!


The WW&F Railway traces its roots to 1894 when the Wiscasset and Quebec Railroad constructed a two-foot “narrow” gauge railroad northward from the bustling wharves of Wiscasset. Far short of its international delusions of grandeur, the railway of “big dreams and little wheels” instead reached 50 miles into the heart of central Maine.

Reorganized as the Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington, the Railway served Maine’s Sheepscot Valley faithfully for the next 40 years before closing during the Great Depression.

Brought back from extinction by a team of dedicated volunteers, today’s railway connects you with a Maine that has all but slipped away.  See why the WW&F’s attractions and special events are among the best things to do in the Midcoast and our membership (create link to membership page) and volunteer (create link to volunteering page) programs have helped to set the standard for railway preservation in the United States. Join us to experience authentic Maine. It is yours to discover and explore – we will take you there.

Step Aboard and Connect With the Soul of Maine!
Choose an Activity Below:

Step Aboard and Connect With the Soul of Maine! Choose an Activity Below:


Note: All train rides and activities start at our Sheepscot station at 97 Cross Road in Alna, Maine.
There are (presently) no stations in Wiscasset, Waterville, or Farmington.
Do not drive directly to SeaLyon Farm for joint events – you’ll miss your train ride!

Get Involved!


Membership

By becoming a museum member, you are helping to preserve a piece of Maine’s unique narrow gauge railroading history, and to educate the public in the importance railroads had to rural Maine in the early 1900s.

Volunteering

Volunteers are essential to our organization. They are family! We encourage new volunteers to come and find a place with us. All ages, abilities, and interests are welcome- there is truly something for everyone.

Donate

Railroad preservation exists only because of the generosity of  others. Donations small and large are needed to rebuild Maine history in the Sheepscot Valley. Help u rebuild Maine History, donations appreciated!

Here's Why Our Guests Love Us

a drawing of a cartoon character
Superb!

A real living/working history event. Very nice and informative/ engaged staff. This is a constantly growing and working narrow gauge steam railroad. This is a rustic working exhibits where they are rebuilding vintage equipment on site so expect dirt and grime and running equipment. This is a great unique experience. They have teamed up with a local farm that abuts the tracks and have lavender picking, horse drawn carriage rides, and pumpkin picking activities .

– Benjamin L | TripAdvisor
Felt like the Dr. Zhivago movie

Read about this in the newspaper and went prepared for the cold and snowy, muddy conditions with boots. The ticketing was easy. The staff answered our questions and were very friendly. Learning about the trains and the ride, seeing the beautiful Percheron horses, the tasty and reasonable food all served with smiles, the bon fire, the sleigh ride, were all so enjoyable. All of the volunteers and staff have done such a good job in preserving history and the interest in trains.

– Diane B. | TripAdvisor
Hidden Gem

My husband and I heard about this place on the news while packing to leave our B&B continuing our coastal road trip south. We stopped in on a whim, on a Monday, and Steve - a 12-year veteran volunteer — offered us an interesting tour of the place and shared his passion for the narrow gauge train station. Well worth the stop. We only regret not happening by on a Saturday that the trains were running.

– Amy M. | TripAdvisor
Fun Favorite

Great steam train ride up the mountain and then your choice of horse drawn sleighs or a tractor pull sleigh up to a beautiful farm. Bonfire, roasting marshmellows, treats, sledding, snowshoeing x country skiing if you wanted to. Then back to the sleighs and a ride back down. Everyone was friendly and passionate about sharing history. Nice little museum.

– jgarland2019 | TripAdvisor
One of the best things in Maine

Totally non touristy. They are almost embarrassed to take your money. Authentic 1890 vintage steam locomotive , that you can get right up and check out. Totally volunteer run and they love it. The trip is up through the woods. I was happy that no "Indians" attacked the train, just some coal smoke and good history lesson.

– Bam C | TripAdvisor
Authentic early 1900 vintage museum and train ride

While in Maine I decided to pay a visit to the WW&F Railway. It is an authentic rebuilt 1900 era 2 foot gauge railroad. The number 9 steam engine was running with a coach and an open car. the equipment, sounds and smoke from the engine really take you back to a different era. the folks at the museum are very nice and the crew was great, especially conductor Ed!

– Bill K | TripAdvisor
Really fantastic

We went as a family tonight to a new concert series they have started. It was fantastic. There was a simplicity that seemed familiar. The band played under a tent from the back of an old Ford pickup and you take a steam train out about 3 miles to watch the concert. It really was great. Our 4 & 7 year olds loved it. We're definitely going again and would highly recommend this to locals and visitors alike.

Love Trains?

If you are a train buff, this museum is for you. Run by volunteers, they have done an amazing job of restoring the railway's historical importance in this area. This group of volunteers is even slowly rebuilding the rails and give train rides every summer weekend and the steam engine ride is very special.

– EmEs | TripAdvisor
Great for all ages

As a railfan I was naturally drawn to this working museum for the two-foot gauge Maine railroads. But my wife, not a big railfan, had a great time too. The train crew were very friendly and well informed. And the equipment and ride were lots of fun to experience.

– Jack M | TripAdvisor
The best representation of authentic Maine narrow gauge railroading!

Around the turn of the 20th Century there were a group of 2 foot gauge railroads unique to Maine. The WW&F is the place to go to understand and enjoy the sights and sounds of this history. They are always growing and improving and expanding the experience. Warm and friendly while highly professional.

– Tim S | TripAdvisor
Fun historical attraction with friendly, dedicated volunteers

A rather informal museum, highlighting the history of the famous Maine two-foot gauge railroads. Features an hour long train ride on a 125 year old steam locomotive. Dedicated group of volunteers provides historical information and fun experience. For those interested, you can roam the maintenance shops and take pictures on your own, Worthy of your support.

– Len R. | TripAdvisor
Outstanding!

For a group of volunteers to piece this together is fantastic. I visited the place when it was just a vision. Seeing it now is nothing short of amazing. We were there for the Easter train. It was a little busy, but it was well worth the wait!. Great job, we'll be back. keep up the great work.

– delcab | TripAdvisor
A labor of love

This group of dedicated volunteers and employees have been slowly rebuilding a narrow gauge railroad, a little bit each year. They have a train ride as far as they've laid tracks. The best thing is the passion with which these men speak of their achievement and explain the world of railroads.

– faye57 | TripAdvisor
Blast from the past

Get a punch ticket, hop aboard as the whistle blows, chat with the conductor, and feel like you've stepped back in time. The Railway is a great place to learn a bit about railroad history and also the very unique tracks that have been restored in Alna. And it's better than a museum because you get to ride a restored train! Perhaps even a Model T engine, if you're lucky. The volunteers were all friendly and knowledgeable, and there's a great new bathroom facility next to the picnic area. This spot is worth a stop!

– Nicole G | TripAdvisor