June 30, 2005 In an Op-ed piece published this day in the Bangor Daily News Maine Governor John Baldacci announced his plans for removing the rail from Washington Junction to Ayers Junction on the Calais Branch to begin conversion to a trail. (see link below) http://www.bangornews.com/news/templates/?a=115824&z=35 To avoid confusion the Downeast Rail Heritage Preservation Trust would like to be sure that those interested know that we are still in discussions with MaineDOT to operate excursion service in the Brewer to Washington Junction segment of the corridor. This represents Phase I of our plans and we continue to move forward with our work. Tom Testa President Downeast Rail Heritage Preservation Trust

Very sad news, indeed. While this branch hasn't seen service in nearly 25 years, it's location is such that a simple steam hauled pair of coaches would probably sweep up the cash from tourists. A light 4-6-0 and two coaches would be stuffed to the gills during the summer.

Where is Washington Jct.? I can find Ayers on my map, south of Calais, where the line once went east to Eastport, but not Washington or Washington Jct.. The branch to Eastport is gone, right? I seem to recall one of Guilford's management goons telling me they had to leave some rails in place through an Indian reservation as the natives threatened to shoot them if they came on the property. The Eastport Branch is the one FDR took to get to his Campobello Island retreat.

Washington Junction is just east of Ellsworth. This was the original MEC Junction with the Washington County RR prior to MEC incorporating that RR in it's system in 1911. This entire line became known as the Calais Branch and was operated by MEC until the sale to Guilford. This was also where the MEC passenger trains would head to the coast, specifically Hancock Point to meet steamer ships which took passengers to Bar Harbor.Ayers Junction is where the Calais Branch heads north to Calais and east to Eastport(on a map look for Dennysville and Pembroke as references, best to use a Maine Gazetteer) Yes the line went through the Passamaquoddy reservation. When the State of Maine purchased the line they were told to get the railroad off the property of the Passamaquoddy's. The rail to Eastport has been removed, leaving a magnificent port facility without rail service.I hope this helps.