Maine 'Ice Cream' Tasting Train Rides
Published: July 2, 2026
By: Adam Burns
On a warm summer evening in Portland, there are plenty of ways to chase the last light of the day—walk the Old Port, grab a lobster roll, or watch the boats drift in Casco Bay. But if you want something that feels both old-fashioned and wonderfully “Maine,” the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum offers a simple recipe that’s hard to beat: historic trains + sunset scenery + ice cream.
That’s the idea behind the museum’s Ice Cream Train, a family-friendly Friday-night tradition that turns a short rail excursion into a small event—complete with waterfront views, the gentle rhythm of narrow-gauge rails, and a complimentary frozen treat for every passenger.
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad's little industrial switcher, #1, a 1949 product of General Electric. It has powered excursions for the museum since 1993.Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad & Museum
The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum is a working heritage railroad and museum located on Portland’s waterfront, preserving the story—and the equipment—of Maine’s famous two-foot-gauge railways. The organization was founded in 1993 and today operates a scenic line along the edge of Casco Bay.
Unlike a static museum where you only look at artifacts behind glass, Maine Narrow Gauge is a place where the history moves. Visitors can explore exhibits and historic equipment, then climb aboard restored, narrow-gauge passenger cars for a narrated ride along the bay.
Portland’s setting is a big part of the appeal: the museum’s trains run right along the waterfront, pairing classic railroading with breezes off the harbor and ever-changing coastal scenery.
Maine's Famous "Two-Footers"
When most people picture railroading, they’re imagining “standard gauge” track—rails spaced 4 feet, 8.5 inches apart. Maine’s historic narrow-gauge lines, however, famously ran on rails only two feet apart.
That difference isn’t just a trivia point. Two-foot-gauge railroads were built to do a practical job: serve communities and industries that needed rail service but couldn’t justify the cost of full-size infrastructure. Lighter rails, smaller bridges, tighter curves, and compact equipment could mean real savings—especially in rugged territory and for lower-traffic routes.
What makes Maine special is how strongly this idea took hold there. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Maine developed an unusually distinctive network of two-foot-gauge railways—so distinctive that it became a celebrated chapter of American rail history in its own right.
The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad & Museum exists to keep that story tangible: not merely told, but experienced at track level—where “small trains” don’t feel small at all once you’re riding behind them.
The Scenic Ride
The railroad’s excursion is intentionally approachable. The trip is described as a 3-mile, 40-minute roundtrip, designed to be long enough to feel like an outing, but short enough for kids (and for spontaneous plans).
Along the way, riders enjoy wide-open views of the waterfront and bay, with narration that highlights both Portland sights and the broader story of Maine railroading.
Because the line hugs the shoreline, the experience can feel like a moving overlook: water, sky, and boats providing the backdrop to a train ride that’s rooted in a very different era.
The Ice Cream Train: Summer Friday Evenings Done Right
The museum’s Ice Cream Train takes that scenic ride and gives it a theme that’s instantly understandable: “All aboard for ice cream!”
When it runs
The Ice Cream Train is typically offered on summer Friday evenings—a schedule that leans into longer daylight hours and the “golden hour” feel that makes coastal scenery pop.
The headline perk: ice cream included
Every passenger receives a complimentary ice cream treat with their ticket—simple, classic, and perfect for turning the ride into a memory-maker.
The ride itself
Once you’ve got your treat, you settle into lovingly preserved, one-of-a-kind passenger cars and roll out for a 40-minute roundtrip with sunset scenery along Casco Bay as the main attraction.
The combination works because nothing about it feels complicated. You’re not rushing between activities or juggling a long itinerary. You’re just… riding, looking, listening, and enjoying dessert while the shoreline slides by.
The Experience
If you’re picturing a big, loud, amusement-park production, you can relax—this is closer to a throwback summer evening than a spectacle. Think of it as a gentle event: you arrive at the museum, check in, pick up your ice cream, and then board.
Once underway, the best moments often come in small details:
- The feel of historic equipment—cars preserved to reflect a style of travel most people only see in photos.
- The sensory side of railroading: the sounds and motion that make heritage rides more vivid than museum displays.
- The setting: Casco Bay is the kind of scenery that rewards slower travel, especially as the evening light softens.
For families, it’s a near-perfect duration: long enough for kids to feel like they went somewhere, short enough to avoid burnout. For couples and visitors, it’s a low-pressure way to add something distinctive to a Portland trip without committing an entire day.
Final Thoughts
Many heritage railroads have special events that are best enjoyed by enthusiasts—photo charters, equipment weekends, technical tours. The Ice Cream Train is different. It’s accessible on purpose, and that makes it a great introduction to the museum.
Even if someone comes “for the ice cream,” they’re still stepping into Maine’s two-foot-gauge story—learning what narrow gauge is, seeing equipment up close, and riding rails that keep a rare tradition alive.
In other words, it’s outreach in the best sense: fun first, history naturally following along. It’s easy to see this excursion as a charming summer activity—and it absolutely is. But it also supports something larger: the ongoing work of preserving and interpreting an uncommon slice of American railroading.
Maine’s two-foot gauge is a story of ingenuity and local need, expressed through compact locomotives, unique rolling stock, and rail lines built to fit the geography and economy of their time.
When you ride behind Maine Narrow Gauge equipment along Casco Bay, you’re not just taking a loop down the waterfront—you’re participating in a living museum. The Ice Cream Train simply adds the perfect, nostalgic finishing touch. To learn more about this excursion and planning your visit to the museum please visit their website.
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