In partnership with the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Company and Boothbay Railway Village, the Wiscasset Waterville and Farmington Railway Museum will host a once in a lifetime winter steam event, designed to provide unique photographic opportunities of winter operations typical on the Maine Two-Footers a hundred years ago.
In addition To WW&FRy no. 9, Monson No. 3 will be on the railroad and operating courtsey of the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Company. Bridgton and Saco River coach no. 11 will also be at the event courtsey of Boothbay Railway village. The restoration of B&SR boxcar 67 by the WW&F should be complete before the event allowing 67's operation in the photo trains. The WW&FRy's new turntable at Sheepscot will be in operation allowing for photographic opportunities not possible on the railroad before. There is the possibility of a third visiting steam locomotive being on the property and operating during the event weekends but unfortunately this locomotive's availability will not be known until very close to the event dates.
Two different dates are being held, January 14-15 and January 21-22, 2017. The photo trains will run from 9am to 4pm Saturday and 8am to 1pm Sunday. A seperate professionally lighted night photo session will be held Saturday evening during each of the events. In addition the WW&F's shops and yard will be opening around 6am during locomotive fireup and switching operations on both days of the events.
Tickets are $400.00 a person per weekend. The Saturday evening night photo session is an additional $75.00. Attendance will be limited to
50 30 people per weekend with the attendees split into two groups of 25 to keep photo lines manageable. The night photo sessions are limited to 30 people.
We must have 40 people signed up for a weekend by December 15, 2016 for that weekend's session to be held. Attendees are encouraged to bring a bag lunch with them but a box lunch will be available Saturday for $15.00.
We will be running two trains on the line allowing for train meets at Alna Center and Top of the Mountain. The two trains will at separate photo locations most of the day to keep the photo lines reasonable. The trains meets will be held at locations that can accommodate both groups of photographers. All attendees will get an opportunity to photograph the different train consists. Various combinations of freight, passenger and mixed trains will be run with WW&F no. 9 and Monson no. 3. There will be a double header run and a run will be made with Monson no. 3 to recreate Monson freight operations as close as possible with the available equipment. The night photo session will be held outside at the Sheepscot shop. In the event of inclement weather the night session will be held inside the shop building.
Reservations and inquiries can be made by emailing reservations@wwfry.org
