The Maine Narrow Gauges (Historic & Preserved) > Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad
Visit 9/29/19
Bill Baskerville:
--- Quote from: Steve Klare on October 17, 2019, 04:41:57 PM ---When I was about 25 my friend and I camped a week at Phillips just before Old Home Days: tented next to the north abutment of the covered bridge.
--- End quote ---
My brother and I hiked the Appalachian Trail, finishing about 13 years ago (age 65). One day we reached our planned camping spot about mid afternoon and decided to continue hiking north, figuring we would come across a good camping spot in a few hours. As we continued, the terrain was mountainous, steep, rocky and afforded no even remotely level spots to pitch a tent. Just before dusk we descended into a steep gorge and crossed a vigorous stream. We ascended about 30 feet vertically and, low and behold, there was an abandon railroad grade. We were in the area where the SR&RL crosses the AT. We didn't know it at the time, but when I later checked I confirmed it was the SR&RL, about a mile east of where it crosses into the Navy restricted area. We had a great spot to spend the night on the SR&RL lulled to sleep by the stream below.
On our days off from hiking we would ride the local railroads. Hence around 14 year ago or so, I discovered the Maine 2 footers and the WW&F, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Steve Smith:
Thank you for this bit of history, Bill. The day you discovered the Maine 2 footers turned out to be a fortunate day indeed for the WW&F Railway Museum!
Bill Baskerville:
Thanks Steve, it also gave me a great camping spot for the night in very inhospitable terrain.
Bill Sample:
Bill - hopefully no "ghost trains" ran that night!
Bill Baskerville:
Bill,
Thankfully not.
Bill
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