Mountain Division overgrowth

Bob Yarger · **Posted:** Sat Jul 12, 2003 8:25 am

Found this in the NERAIL photos: Overgrowth on the former Maine Central Mountain Division at Westbrook, Maine. This line runs from Portland to St. Johnsbury, Vermont, with the northern end used by Conway Scenic RR, through the Crawford Notch. Hard to believe this was an active freight line just over 20 years ago. I'm not sure if this portion is still owned by Guilford or the state. It would seem a good venue for the motorcar people to use (for now), to keep it from being removed for a trail.

http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=200307111553532395.jpg&bydate%3A11
ryarger@rypn.org

Stephen Hussar · **Posted:** Sat Jul 12, 2003 11:54 am

That is hard to believe. Equally amazing is the other end of this line in North Conway, NH. The below photo shows the money and effort put forth by New Hampshire in keeping their end functional. This picture was taken just south of Intervale.

SJHussar@aol.com

Glenn Christensen · **Posted:** Sat Jul 12, 2003 3:55 pm

> It would seem a good venue for the
> motorcar people to use (for now), to keep it
> from being removed for a trail.

Or even better, cleared and narrowed to two foot gauge ...

Grins,
Glenn

christensenge@yahoo.com

Chip Ordway · **Posted:** Sat Jul 12, 2003 7:15 pm

The last time I viewed the NH/Maine state line on the Mt Div was about 3 years ago. Denoted by a huge B&M-style granite marker (like an oversized Milepost), the border of the states was plainly visible to anyone: The Maine side had the tracks cleared as if a short-line was already running there, and the NH side was a wall of trees and growth, like in the pic posted above. I know the state of NH owns the line on their side, but who is responsible for the Maine side? There was even evidence (on the ME side) of a some sort of high-rail vehical (truck? Grade-All?) on the line in the very-recent past back then, thanks to tire-tred marks on the rails. Has Guilford retained their said of the line? Is it in state hands? How far into Maine are the tracks cleared? What's the deal?

T HARPER · **Posted:** Mon Jul 14, 2003 10:43 am

The State of Maine ownes the line from South Windham (Route 302 crossing) north to the NH line at Fryburg. This section is fairly clear and can be used by motor cars with permission from the Maine Department of Transportation. It is also part of a rails to trails project that leaves the rails in place but has a new hiking/biking path built alongside of it. They are currently working on the section from Windham to Sebago. It looks really good.

The section from South Windham to Westbrook is still owned by Guilford and is not open to motor cars and is getting quite overgrown.

Hope this clears things up

TCHJJJJ@AOL.COM