Kathadin Iron Works RR and the Ray Lumber Co.

[Andrew Laverdiere]

Good day all. I've run across a future area of exploration and wanted to see if anyone else could fill me in.

https://www.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=213270298552370336255.0004cd7f130aff3d323c0&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=13&vpsrc=1

The Ray Lumber Co had a small amount of track that is just a short distance from the Kathadin Iron works, which also had a railroad that ran down to Brownville Junction (a place my father lived for a few years long before I was born).

Does anyone know the condition of the old ROW of the Katahdin RR?

I figure if I was to hike it, I would start at Brownville junction, from the Iron works hike over to Indian pond, and then trace the route south to the remains of the lumber mill and ghost town, south to the CN, and back to Brownville Junction.

[Tom Tanguay]

Looking at Google, there is a trail marked "Katahdin Iron Works Trail" which roughly parallels the Pleasant River from near the Iron Works Park off the Iron Works Road, leading down to Brownville Junction near the post office. Does anyone know if this is a relatively new hiking/snow mobile trail, or possibly the old right of way for the supposed narrow gauge Iron Works Railroad? I can find very little mention, and no information regarding such a railroad in any gauge? I'm surprised there hasn't been more interest in this, especially with the Iron Works being a State Park.

[Cliff Olson]

I believe the trail you're asking about is the abandoned roadbed of the Bangor & Aroostook Railroad's Katahdin Iron Works Branch.

[Mark Hendrickson]

Here is more info on the Ray Lumber Co.


http://personalpages.tds.net/~lpwhite/Raytown.htmlhad

Ray lumber a Shay, No. 1 36ton 2truck.  S/N 2560 Built 8/1912  and a 4-4-0 No. 2 formally number 201 from the Bangor & Aroostook.