Sheepscot Station platform shelter

[Bruce Wilson]

After reading the September 1, 2024 Annual Fund Drive Appeal letter, I pondered some on the following words within the second paragraph. "Work on the station platform has been completed although some sort of shelter remains to be decided upon and funded."

Having always admired the W.W. & F. Ry. station in Wiscasset, I wondered if such a platform roofline would work for the Sheepscot platform. I admired the simplicity of the original design as shown in many photos within the "Narrow Gauge in the Sheepscot Valley" series of books.

While browsing those fine publications, an even simpler roofed platform design is shown on page 36 of Vol. 2. Such a small passenger shelter might work when weather is less than ideal, and be of a size as not to dominate the overall platform. If nothing else, fun to contemplate. If you do not have that book, the photo is of a structure that stood north of the Whitefield station and (according to the authors) "to serve the dairy farms located in the area."

[Ed Lecuyer]

While nothing has been decided, a Wiscasset-style shelter for the Sheepscot platform is very much under consideration.

[Mike Fox]

To expand slightly on what Ed said, after the Annual Picnic, it was decided the open feel of the platform would better serve us than closing it in with a 3 sided shelter. The Wiscasset Shelter was discussed at the last Board Meeting, not only for Sheepscot but possibly at TOM, where a replica Wiscasset Station could be built with shelter.

[Bruce Wilson]

Thank you both, Ed and Mike. Your ideas sound great!

[Graham Buxton]

This earlier thread has a photo of the WW&F Wiscasset depot.
https://forum.wwfry.org/index.php?topic=3027.0

And as a bonus, there is also a photo of the Wiscasset MEC depot.

[Bruce Wilson]

This earlier thread has a photo of the WW&F Wiscasset depot.
https://forum.wwfry.org/index.php?topic=3027.0

And as a bonus, there is also a photo of the Wiscasset MEC depot.

Graham, in "Two Feet to Tidewater", on page 223, is another good view of the W.W. & F. Ry. station at Wiscasset. Late last night I took a close look at it and was surprised to see a velocipede parked under the roof. Have looked at that photo several times over the years, but this is the first time I've noticed the 'pede.

I remember a group of us going to the site of the diamond crossing. Harry Percival was pointing out the sights, at which time, there were still many. This was in the mid-1990's.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the Maine Central Station at Wiscasset, moved somewhere over on the route to Boothbay? Also, I recall that the late draftsman James R. Dunlop, did a drawing of that building. I have many of Jimmy's drawings, but not that one. I know I've seen it though.

[Bruce Wilson]

The photo I'd referenced in "Two Feet to Tidewater" (being a Linwood Moody photo) can also be found (on page 44) of the Michael W. Torreson book, "Maine's Two-Footer Railroads - The Linwood Moody Collection."

Mike's use of the photo is printed sharper and lighter and shows a little more of the stations details, including the lettering on the old office door.

Studying the position of the velocipede, it looks as though it was run on the narrow gage and down from the shops. Hard to be certain of this of course, but that vehicle would be rather heavy to maneuver. My speculation is that it was lifted off the W.W. & F. rails up onto the platform and set off under the roof. Too bad the snow has melted off the platform. That might've shown flange ruts and footprints, confirming.my suspicions. What do you think?

[James Patten]

I believe the MEC Wiscasset station building was moved across the river to Edgecomb, where it now sits off Rt 27 as a business.  I forget which business it is.

[Graham Buxton]

The business that bought the MEC depot is Chase Manways. They have photos on their "History" page:
https://www.manways.com/about-us/history







They show that was in 1983-84.  The 'completed' building has been remodeled even more since then.  In Google Streetview all resemblance to the MEC structure is gone:
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.9834397,-69.6398408,3a,60y,117.24h,94.36t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sdr6r5yEEvVE2fPuzsHtqCA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-4.362663123470767%26panoid%3Ddr6r5yEEvVE2fPuzsHtqCA%26yaw%3D117.23712715667912!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205410&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDkwMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

[Stephen Piwowarski]

I just want to point out that, based on the photos given from their own page, the one of the roof structure is clearly not part of the Wiscasset station nor was it apparently part of the renovated building in Edgecomb.

From the photo of the building as it’s currently situated, you can see that the south facing wall of the current building (with the bay window) was the track facing side. So the long wall of the original rectangular building was incorporated as the short wall of the renovated, larger rectangular structure. That’s supported by the matching fenestration and door orientation of the current west wall in comparison to what was originally the south wall as situated in Wiscasset. The reconstruction is approximately twice the size of the original station.

[Bruce Wilson]

Thanks James, Graham and Stephen for your information. Very interesting! Given all the equipment and structures that's been hauled in to Boothbay Railway Village over the years, I'll bet no one even looked at this move when it occurred.

[Benjamin Richards]

They show that was in 1983-84.  The 'completed' building has been remodeled even more since then.  In Google Streetview all resemblance to the MEC structure is gone:

The Station of Theseus