W.W.&F. Discussion Forum
The Maine Narrow Gauges (Historic & Preserved) => Bridgton & Saco River Railway => Topic started by: Duncan Mackiewicz on July 20, 2009, 12:34:02 PM
-
I plan to be in the Bridgton area during the week of week of 10/9 to 10/14. If anyone is interested in "investigating" along the ROW, leave a post here and perhaps we can hook up in August. I always enjoy "doing research" on the B&SR each year.
Duncan
-
The leaves won't be gone yet but the bugs should. I don't know what I'm doing this weekend yet let alone in September. I'll have to play it by ear.
-
Any idea what section we should visit? The way that it's been raining this year we might have to wear waders ::)
-
Bill,
I'm open to suggestions about where to hike. I've previously hiked or driven by myself over most of the ROW from Bridgton Junction all the way to Lakeside Pines Campground in North Bridgton. I've also done a bit of walking alongside the old stretch of 117 approaching Harrison that appears to be where the long trestle was filled-in years ago. If anyone wants to hike and would like company I will be in town and willing to join in.
Duncan
-
I'd be interested!
-
Dana,
I'm sure you will be tied up with the picnic this coming weekend but if you are free during the following week 8/10 - 8/14 let me know and perhaps we can swap cell numbers as I will be 'puter-free during my time in Bridgton. Who knows, I may be able to get to the museum on Sunday and we could chat then.
Duncan
-
Sunday morning broke with a clear blue sky over the Sebago Lake Region. An ideal day for a walk. And the Bridgton and Saco River Railroad right-a-way has been on my mind as of lately. First we drove over to Sandy Creek and were planning on walking south, but beavers had inundated the rail bed with over a foot of water. So we drove down route 117, then crossed through the woods on the Hilton Road to access Ingalls and the rail bed.
I have been studying my maps and using the information about mileage between stops, and would like to think I have determined the location for South Bridgton Station. Using my GPS and calculating distances by Longitude and Latitude it roughly proved itself by working at known Locations (Ingalls, Sandy Creek and Willett Brook Bridge). If I’ am wrong we had a good day anyway.
I have made a slide show on You-Tube of just a few of the places of interest.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-j_hZ1NadQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-j_hZ1NadQ)
mrdeere
-
WOW! The ROW has really eroded in a years time. I drove a 2WD pickup through there last year. From Sandy Creek to Perleys Mills. I bet the 2.5 inches of Rain we got Saturday didn't help keep things dry. Willet Brook looks very full.
Your South Bridgton guess may be close. It is in a spot where there is and old borrow pit to the west of the station. This borrow was used to build up the ROW in the immediate area. Looks like the photo after the one that says South Bridgton Station? was it. The Station would have been to the left of the road that leaves the ROW, if memory serves me correctly from the maps.
Glad you had fun and thanks for sharing.
-
The first picture is actually from the Hilton Road looking toward Ingalls. The rail bed runs from left to right on the other side of this ditch. I did put my truck in 4 wheel drive to get there. We did meet a couple of pickups along our walk. They had come in below Ingalls.
mrdeere
-
Thanks for posting your photos Ed!
Did you by any chance record the relative milepost locations for your photos? It would help me plot them on my maps.
Best Regards,
Glenn
-
Here are the location I used
South Bridgton Station N4400650-W70726882
Ingalls Station N43.984802-W70.737512
Sandy Creek N44.022200-W70.70731
Willett Brook Bridge N44.012146-W70.707310
mrdeere
-
Thanks Ed!
Sincerely,
Glenn
-
For all who wish to have had a Fall ROW hike this year, I must apologize. Things got real busy this fall, and before I wanted, the snow was here. And not just a little snow either. I have measured 18 inches or so in a few storms and snow showers. This has left snow probably 8 inches to a foot deep to walk in. Not fun. So I will have to try and organize something next year. Hopefully, this time, we can do it.
-
Mike,
This would not have been the best time for me either. Let us know when you are free in 2010 and I'm sure we all can arrive at a good day to hike the B&SR.
I suspect Dana and a few others will be equally interested in making time for a hike.
Duncan