Brunswick-Rockland passenger trains?

[Benjamin Richards]

This snuck in quietly (under my radar, anyway):

https://railfan.com/maine-selects-new-operator-for-rockland-branch/

"It does not plan to provide host railroad services to Amtrak’s proposed Downeaster extension to Rockland."

At least it isn't being railbanked.

[Ed Lecuyer]

WW&F Connection...
"Maine Switching Services" is also the operator of the Belfast & Moosehead Lake RR. So now our historical northern and southern extents are under the same operator.

(Standard gauging of the WW&F to connect the two lines will begin on April 1, 2026.)

[James Patten]

I've yet to hear a crossing horn from them.  I can sometimes hear them inside the house (faintly), so it's possible I've missed them.

[Ed Lecuyer]

On the right conditions, you can hear them in Alna blowing for crossings. No horns yet that I've heard, but I did see a highrail on the bridge in Bath on Monday. Also the approach signal has been lit behind Taste of Maine Restaurant for at least a few weeks. Let's hope Maine Switching Services can make a go of it.

[James Patten]

They need to think outside the box in order to make it work without Dragon Cement.  Something like a intermodal facility.

[Benjamin Richards]

The reality is that even Dragon Cement's over-the-road traffic wasn't near enough to support that line. The switching fees for the shuttle down to the barges essentially subsidized the rest of it.

[Joshua Zukerman]

Talking with one of the people who in believe to be on the board, they sent me this:

We have received the draft lease agreement from MaineDOT for the Rockland Branch, and we’re hoping to start the freight side of operations as soon as possible.

Just for some background, we are restructuring the corporate makeup of the non-for-profit railroads to better suit our needs as the organizations grow. Out of the original Brooks Preservation Society, we have formed the Midcoast Rail Heritage Trust to act as an executive board for tourist rail operations and preservation efforts. Under this umbrella will include the B&ML Railroad, the Cumberland & Knox Railroad (Rockland Branch), as well as any future tourist rail operations. So who knows what the future holds. Maybe tourist operations on the Rockland Branch.