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5/9/2024
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Viewing Album:  Working on the Downeast Scenic RR
 
By:David Larrabee
Dates:7/1/2009 - 9/10/2009
Album Info:During the over the past summer Ive been privileged to work 1 or 2 days a week at the Downeast Scenic RR in Maine. This dedicated group is maintaining about 28 miles of the former Maine Central Calais Branch between Washington Junction in Hancock Maine and a point about 2 miles east of Brewer Junction on PAN AMs Bucksport Branch in Brewer. The track is under lease to the Downeast Scenic (DSRX) from the State of Maine Dept of Transportation. The RRs efforts at this time center around bring about 4 miles of track up to class 1 in order to start revenue service between Washington Jct & Ellsworth Falls. (MP P164.4 to P169) Included in the current work are plans a rehab the Y between the abandoned Waukeag Branch taken up in 1959 and the Calais main line, which is being converted into a rail trail. Eventually the RR plans to upgrade track to Green Lake. (MP P154.2) The following photos & captions will provide a general overview of the sort of work being undertaken. A system map is posted at: http://www.downeastscenicrail.org/DRwebpdfs/DSRRmap.pdf
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Looking West Towards the Junction & Ellsworth.
Title:  Looking West Towards the Junction & Ellsworth.
Description:  The crew - all 3 of us - were grading a ditch along the Main Line which was washed out form heavy rain. About 500 yards behind the camera is the switch onto the Y.
Photo Date:  7/4/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 8:55:36 PM
Location:  Hancock, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  125   Comments: 0
Washington Junction, Calais Mainline looking EAST
Title:  Washington Junction, Calais Mainline looking EAST
Description:  The camera is looking out of the yard onto the mainline during the ditch grading project. MP P168.8
Photo Date:  7/4/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 8:55:37 PM
Location:  Hancock, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  115   Comments: 0
Washington Junction Yard on the Downeast Scenic RR
Title:  Washington Junction Yard on the Downeast Scenic RR
Description:  The main line is center screen looking time table east (a southwesterly view) towards the junction just beyond the track car house in the distance. The passenger coach is from the Conway Scenic and is undergoing a rebuild.
Photo Date:  7/4/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 8:55:38 PM
Location:  Hancock, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  121   Comments: 0
#54, formally from the BML
Title:  #54, formally from the BML
Description:  This loco came from the BML and arrived on the property last fall.
Photo Date:  7/5/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 8:55:42 PM
Location:  Hancock, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives:  DSRX 54(70Tonner)
Views:  551   Comments: 1
Ballast Hopper
Title:  Ballast Hopper
Description:  Formally from the BML.
Photo Date:  7/5/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 8:55:45 PM
Location:  Hancock, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  178   Comments: 0
Abandoned siding
Title:  Abandoned siding
Description:  A few days after this photo a crew yanked the rail out of this siding. Near MP P165.5
Photo Date:  7/5/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 9:00:09 PM
Location:  Ellsworth, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  253   Comments: 0
Oil Products Siding
Title:  Oil Products Siding
Description:  There were tree stumps as large as a foot growing in the siding. The last cars were probably spotted on this siding over 30 years ago. If the State had not kept ahead of the brush the entire Branch would have looked like this track. /DL
Photo Date:  7/5/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 9:00:10 PM
Location:  Ellsworth, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  242   Comments: 0
#26 gets new break linkage
Title:  #26 gets new break linkage
Description:  Breakwheel realignment. Modifications to this car required that the break wheel be moved lower and to the left which required rerouting of the brack linkage. Origionally a bulkhead flat, the bulkheads were cut down so the car could be put on a flatbed trailer for shipment to the railroad.
Photo Date:  7/10/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 8:55:47 PM
Location:  Hancock, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  122   Comments: 0
Sorting Rail
Title:  Sorting Rail
Description:  The camera is looking across the southside of the Y, the Calais mainline is in the background. The gradeall is being used to sort rail. The junction is just to the left.
Photo Date:  7/11/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 8:55:41 PM
Location:  Hancock, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  101   Comments: 0
Yard at Washington Junction on the Downeast Scenic RR
Title:  Yard at Washington Junction on the Downeast Scenic RR
Description:  We're standing at about MP P168.5 looking down the mainline towards Calais. The tracks to the right are on the south side of the Y on the old Waukeag Branch which was the origional mainline to the ferry terminal to Bar Harbor in the days before a bridge was built onto Mt.Desert Island.
Photo Date:  7/12/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 8:55:40 PM
Location:  Hancock, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  137   Comments: 0
#46 gets its new reporting mark.
Title:  #46 gets its new reporting mark.
Description:  DSRX #46 used to be BML #46. The hopper will be used for ballast.
Photo Date:  7/12/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 8:55:44 PM
Location:  Hancock, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  156   Comments: 0
MOW crew headed east to work on the Y
Title:  MOW crew headed east to work on the Y
Description:  Downeast Secnic RR
Photo Date:  7/12/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 8:55:48 PM
Location:  Hancock, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  121   Comments: 0
Backing onto the Y
Title:  Backing onto the Y
Description:  Work crew is headed onto the back side of the Y off the main line to work on drainage. The crane will be used to hoist old ties out of the ditches. MP P168.9, the yard is in the distance picture center.
Photo Date:  7/12/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 8:55:49 PM
Location:  Hancock, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  149   Comments: 0
Clearing ditches on the Y
Title:  Clearing ditches on the Y
Description:  The Y was installed in 1931. The tie being lifted out of the ditches dates from then.
Photo Date:  7/12/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 8:55:50 PM
Location:  Hancock, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  116   Comments: 0
Date nail from the Y
Title:  Date nail from the Y
Description:  Most of the ties on the back side of the Y have a 1931 date nail. Most of them are still in the ground and under the rail. A suprising number of them are better condition than could be expected for nearly 80 years of duty.
Photo Date:  7/12/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 8:55:52 PM
Location:  Hancock, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  96   Comments: 0
West bound along Phillips Lake
Title:  West bound along Phillips Lake
Description:  The track car is following the trim crew. Note the signal foundation in the foreground. 100 years ago this was the Bar Harbor Branch and carried MEC's crack passenger train the Bar Harbor Express. Washington Jct. joined the MEC with the Washington County RR.
Photo Date:  7/17/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 8:56:02 PM
Location:  Holden, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  132   Comments: 0
Clearing Bruch along Phillips Lake
Title:  Clearing Bruch along Phillips Lake
Description:  Today's trip was to fine tune growth over the past couple of seasons. Cottages line the row. The lake is to the right. The camera is looking SSE or time table east.
Photo Date:  7/17/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 8:56:03 PM
Location:  Holden, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  99   Comments: 0
At P149.1
Title:  At P149.1
Description:  Cutting is about done for the day. We're at the north end of Phillips Lake looking time table east. The bridge is over the outlet and just a few hundred feet east of MP P149.
Photo Date:  7/17/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 8:56:04 PM
Location:  Holden, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  183   Comments: 0
Rock Cut at MP P152.2
Title:  Rock Cut at MP P152.2
Description:  We're heading out to trim brush along Phillips Lake in Holden Maine. Just around the curve the track will drop rapidly and run along the east side of the lake towards Brewer. /DL
Photo Date:  7/19/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 8:55:53 PM
Location:  Holden, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  115   Comments: 0
Crossing Patching on Main Street
Title:  Crossing Patching on Main Street
Description:  MOW, Main Street in Ellsworth. The old MEC RR station is to the right. Note the flagger at the crest of the hill.
Photo Date:  7/19/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 8:56:05 PM
Location:  Ellsworth, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  181   Comments: 0
Ballast Trimming on Main St.
Title:  Ballast Trimming on Main St.
Description:  The sand the crew is cleaning up was delivered by the City of Ellsworth last winter in the form of street sand which washed down on to the ROW.
Photo Date:  7/19/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 8:56:06 PM
Location:  Ellsworth, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  125   Comments: 0
Ballast management at near Lincoln Street Xing
Title:  Ballast management at near Lincoln Street Xing
Description:  The excess ballast from Main Street was moved 1000 feet west to replace lost ballast. The camera is just a 100 feet or so west of MP P166. /DL
Photo Date:  7/19/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 8:56:07 PM
Location:  Ellsworth, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  99   Comments: 0
Fine tuning Beals Ave Switch.
Title:  Fine tuning Beals Ave Switch.
Description:  Correcting switch timber placement under the main line. This switch opened into the Ellsworth Freight Yard just east of the station and is easily visible from Rt1. Near MP P166.4
Photo Date:  7/25/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 8:56:08 PM
Location:  Ellsworth, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  114   Comments: 0
Fine tuning Beals Ave Switch
Title:  Fine tuning Beals Ave Switch
Description:  The MEC left the Branch in good condition. The State of Maine had kept the brush in under control. /DL
Photo Date:  7/25/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 8:56:09 PM
Location:  Ellsworth, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  106   Comments: 0
Beals Ave Switch
Title:  Beals Ave Switch
Description:  Respiking the switch timber. The Ellsworth Passenger station is about 1000 feet ahead on the right. The camera is looking north or time table east. /DL
Photo Date:  7/25/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 8:56:10 PM
Location:  Ellsworth, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  111   Comments: 0
Work crew finishing up the Beals Ave Switch & clearing project
Title:  Work crew finishing up the Beals Ave Switch & clearing project
Description:  The wide spaced trailers will be used to haul salvaged rail from the old siding. The track car & trailers are moving time table east, the camera is looking across Beals Ave into the old freight yard. /DL
Photo Date:  7/25/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 9:00:05 PM
Location:  Ellsworth, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  137   Comments: 1
Clearing the Freight Yard
Title:  Clearing the Freight Yard
Description:  The dump truck is on the main line. The long curve before the 2 mile tanget to Washington Jct begins here. Camera is looking time table east.
Photo Date:  7/25/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 9:00:06 PM
Location:  Ellsworth, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  167   Comments: 0
Swing Dump at Washington Jct.
Title:  Swing Dump at Washington Jct.
Description:  The truck is facing east, settng on the Waukeag Branch main. Behind the truck are two crossings and the long straight away into Ellswoth. The Calais Branch mainline is to the right just behind the trackcar garage. The bursh will be chipped in the next week or so. The dump truck is on loan to the RR from Mr. Myron Moody of Cornville, Me. He got the truck at auction in Ct. a few years ago. There were Metro North stickers in the cab. The truck is a GMC of about 1979 vintage. /DL
Photo Date:  7/25/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 9:00:07 PM
Location:  Hancock, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  153   Comments: 0
Loading Rail
Title:  Loading Rail
Description:  After the rail was hauled out of the abandonded siding it was loaded trailers or set aside for later use. Some was taken to High School Crossing.
Photo Date:  7/25/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 9:00:25 PM
Location:  Ellsworth, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  140   Comments: 0
Loading rail
Title:  Loading rail
Description:  Downeast Scenic
Photo Date:  7/25/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 9:00:28 PM
Location:  Ellsworth, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  85   Comments: 0
Downeast Scenic
Title:  Downeast Scenic
Description:  Removing the bumper. As you can see the grade all has many uses. It along with the swing dump are very valuable tools on the RR.
Photo Date:  7/25/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 9:00:29 PM
Location:  Ellsworth, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  132   Comments: 0
Unloading Rail at H.S.Crossing
Title:  Unloading Rail at H.S.Crossing
Description:  A few years back a general contractor rebuilt the crossing into the Ellsworth High School. The track approaches to the Xing were rebuilt in the process. The rail used in these approaches was of a different profile then the 85 lb rail used by the MEC. This rail just taken from the old siding will replace that rail and deaden the 1/8+ inch CLICK/CLACK to something the passengers will hardly notice.
Photo Date:  7/25/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 9:00:30 PM
Location:  Ellsworth, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  113   Comments: 0
Switching at the Downeast Scenic RR
Title:  Switching at the Downeast Scenic RR
Description:  Switching in Washington Jct. Yard making up the consist for the 1st run into Ellsworth in 24 years.
Photo Date:  8/1/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 8:55:43 PM
Location:  Hancock, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives:  DSRX 54(70Tonner)
Views:  352   Comments: 0
First train to leave Hancock Jct. in 24 years.
Title:  First train to leave Hancock Jct. in 24 years.
Description:  Crossing Wyman's Xing. The locomotive is just a few feet east of Washington Junction.
Photo Date:  8/1/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 9:00:31 PM
Location:  Hancock, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives:  DSRX 54(70Tonner)
Views:  357   Comments: 0
1st Train in 24 years
Title:  1st Train in 24 years
Description:  Looking out the Caboose door. The train is crossing the town line between Hancock & Ellsworth at MP P168 headed down grade on the mile & 1/2 tangent into Ellsworth. Washington Jct Road is just behind us and we're picking up a little speed. The ride was very smooth thanks to a lot of track fine tuning over the past couple of years.
Photo Date:  8/1/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 9:00:33 PM
Location:  Ellsworth, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  102   Comments: 0
1st train in the Freight Yard in 24 years
Title:  1st train in the Freight Yard in 24 years
Description:  Entering the east end of the freight yard. Moving slowly while the track inspector looks for problems. The train is headed west.
Photo Date:  8/1/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 9:00:34 PM
Location:  Ellsworth, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  162   Comments: 0
1st train in 24 years
Title:  1st train in 24 years
Description:  The train is slowing for Main Street Xing. The MEC Passenger Station is the brick building on the left, now an office building. The passenger platform ran right along the tracks here. The foundations and curbs for it are still visible. /DL
Photo Date:  8/1/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 9:00:35 PM
Location:  Ellsworth, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  131   Comments: 0
Across Main Street
Title:  Across Main Street
Description:  This was the 1st train over these tracks since the last Guilford train took the last rolling stock off the Branch in 1985. RR Station roof is visible just above the cross buck to the left of the locomotive.
Photo Date:  8/1/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 9:00:36 PM
Location:  Ellsworth, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives:  DSRX 54(70Tonner)
Views:  404   Comments: 1
Smiling faces
Title:  Smiling faces
Description:  The lucky group working the day the train came back to town, just a part of the crowd that made it happen !! This photo is taken just west of Main St Xing very close to MP P166 which is in the bushes just behind #54 on the left of the tracks.
Photo Date:  8/1/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 9:00:37 PM
Location:  Ellsworth, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives:  DSRX 54(70Tonner)
Views:  345   Comments: 0
Track inspection at Beals Ave
Title:  Track inspection at Beals Ave
Description:  The train is on its way back to Washington Jct.
Photo Date:  8/1/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 9:00:38 PM
Location:  Ellsworth, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  139   Comments: 0
At Washington Jct., on the Downeast Scenic RR
Title:  At Washington Jct., on the Downeast Scenic RR
Description:  The Davenport arrived in August from the shop where it was rebuilt.
Photo Date:  8/16/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 8:55:42 PM
Location:  Hancock, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives:  DSRX 53(35 Tonner)
Views:  743   Comments: 2
Grade All at High School Xing
Title:  Grade All at High School Xing
Description:  Downeast Scenic
Photo Date:  8/16/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 9:00:39 PM
Location:  Ellsworth, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  100   Comments: 0
Rail removal at Lincoln Xing
Title:  Rail removal at Lincoln Xing
Description:  Of all the projects the RR undertook over past few years, crossing rebuilds were most important. They required coordination with state & city engineering folks and needed 2 or 3 days of work to quickly close, rebuild, and reopen the road to traffic.
Photo Date:  8/20/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 9:00:40 PM
Location:  Ellsworth, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  83   Comments: 0
Taking out the old ballast at Lincoln Street Xing
Title:  Taking out the old ballast at Lincoln Street Xing
Description:  Old ballast was removed to a depth of about 3 feet.
Photo Date:  8/20/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 9:00:42 PM
Location:  Ellsworth, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  73   Comments: 0
New ties at Lincoln St. Xing
Title:  New ties at Lincoln St. Xing
Description:  With a couple feet of new stone ties were placed & aligned. The old ballast found a new home along the ROW elsewhere.
Photo Date:  8/20/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 9:00:43 PM
Location:  Ellsworth, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  88   Comments: 0
Track Alignment at Lincoln St. Xing
Title:  Track Alignment at Lincoln St. Xing
Description:  With a few decades of traffic the rail needed a little tweaking uphill. As I recall just a couple of inches. It helps to have a strong arm. Shovels and track jacks would have taken considerably longer. We're just about ready to start spiking. /DL
Photo Date:  8/21/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 9:00:44 PM
Location:  Ellsworth, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  96   Comments: 0
The 2nd day at Lincoln St.
Title:  The 2nd day at Lincoln St.
Description:  30 odd ties later and the hard work is behind the crew. Final tamping and a bit of ballast are next before #54 is run over the new track.
Photo Date:  8/21/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 9:00:45 PM
Location:  Ellsworth, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  86   Comments: 0
Lincoln St Xing
Title:  Lincoln St Xing
Description:  The final ballast has been added and 1 more round of tamping is underway b4 #54 runs over the rail. /DL
Photo Date:  8/21/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 9:00:48 PM
Location:  Ellsworth, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  100   Comments: 0
#54 over Lincoln St. Xing
Title:  #54 over Lincoln St. Xing
Description:  There were a couple of 1/4 inch deflections that were leveled out then the crossing was ready for pavement.
Photo Date:  8/21/2009  Upload Date: 9/23/2009 9:00:49 PM
Location:  Ellsworth, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard,Track,Action
Locomotives:  DSRX 54(70Tonner)
Views:  320   Comments: 0

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