Maine -- Dinner Train -- Rides At Portland

Published: August 23, 2026

On the edge of Casco Bay, where Portland’s working waterfront meets the breezy greens of the Eastern Promenade, a small train does something surprisingly powerful: it makes Maine’s famed “two-foot” railroading feel immediate again.

The Maine Narrow-Gauge Railroad & Museum (often shortened to “Maine Narrow Gauge”) isn’t a sprawling, all-day railroad park or a long-distance scenic line. Instead, it’s a compact, living-history operation that pairs museum exhibits with a short-but-memorable train ride—one that rolls past marinas, shoreline views, and classic Maine light and weather along the bay.

And while this isn’t generally a “dinner train” railroad in the traditional sense—no multi-course meal served en route—Maine Narrow Gauge does offer several popular ride experiences where food and drink are a key part of the fun: from family-friendly ice cream outings to sunset rides with beverages, and a holiday production that famously includes hot chocolate and cookies.

Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad's GE diesel #1 leads an excursion at the Portland, Maine waterfront on June 16, 2012. Marty Bernard photo.

Maine's 2-Footers

To appreciate what’s special about Maine Narrow Gauge, it helps to understand the tradition it interprets. In most of North America, standard-gauge track measures 4 feet, 8½ inches between rails. Maine, however, became famous for a network of narrow-gauge lines—many built to two-foot gauge—which proved cheaper to construct and operate, especially in rural and rugged territory. These railroads served timber towns, farms, and coastal communities, and for a time they were an important part of everyday life in the state.

The equipment, the scale, even the feel of these lines was distinct: smaller locomotives and cars, tighter curves, and a unique “Maine” personality that railfans quickly learn to recognize. Maine Narrow Gauge’s mission is to keep that legacy tangible—not just in exhibits, but through operating equipment and letting visitors ride behind it.

Founding A Museum

The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad & Museum was founded in 1993 as a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and interpreting Maine’s narrow-gauge heritage. Over time, the organization assembled a collection of two-foot gauge equipment and artifacts—passenger and freight cars, restoration projects, and museum displays that tell the story of the state’s storied narrow-gauge era.

Equally important, it established an operating demonstration railroad in Portland. Today the museum runs an approximately 1.5-mile line along the waterfront, providing a scenic ride that parallels the Eastern Promenade and looks out toward Casco Bay.

That combination—museum plus moving train—matters. Static displays can explain why two-foot gauge was practical, and what it meant to the communities it served. But the moment a locomotive couples on, the whistle sounds, and the cars begin to sway gently along the bay, the story becomes visceral.

What you experience today

A visit typically revolves around two complementary pieces:

1) The museum and collection.
Inside, you’ll find exhibits and artifacts that frame Maine’s narrow-gauge story—how the railroads operated, what they hauled, and why this unusual gauge became such a Maine signature. The museum’s broader collection also supports ongoing restoration and interpretation projects.

2) A scenic round-trip train ride.
The railroad’s regular rides are designed for accessibility and repeat visits: short enough for families, but scenic enough that railfans and photographers will want to come back in different seasons and light. Maine Narrow Gauge emphasizes the constantly changing views along Casco Bay, often pairing the trip with onboard narration that mixes local scenery with rail history.

Because the line is compact, it also functions as an easy “add-on” to a Portland day—perfect between meals, brewery stops, waterfront walks, or museum-hopping.

Notable Equipment

The Maine Narrow-Gauge Railroad & Museum is more than a scenic ride along Casco Bay — it’s also home to one of the most significant collections of Maine two-foot narrow-gauge equipment in the United States. This roster includes steam engines, vintage diesels, and classic passenger cars that once served the state’s legendary 2-foot railroads.

Steam Locomotives

Bridgton & Saco River #7 — Built in 1913 by Baldwin Locomotive Works, this 2-4-4T steam engine is one of the stars of the collection. After nearly five decades at the Edaville Railroad in Massachusetts, it was restored and returned to Maine, now steaming on select dates and giving visitors a chance to experience authentic steam power on the waterfront line.
Monson Railroad #3 — A 0-4-4T locomotive built in 1913 by Vulcan Iron Works, #3 originally worked the short Monson Railroad hauling passengers, freight, and slate. It is currently operational and even visits other heritage lines in New England.
Other Noteworthy Steam Roster Pieces — The museum also owns Bridgton & Saco River #8 (built 1924, the largest narrow-gauge locomotive in Maine) and Monson #4 (built 1918). Both are preserved and awaiting major restoration to return to steam in future years.

Diesel Locomotives

Maine Narrow Gauge #1 — This 23-ton General Electric diesel locomotive (built 1949) is the railroad’s primary workhorse. It handles most regular passenger runs when a steam engine isn’t available and has become a familiar sight along the Casco Bay route.
#11 — A compact 10-ton Plymouth locomotive, restored and often used as a switcher or for work trains, highlighting the practical side of narrow gauge operations.
Other Diesels in the Collection — Units like #5 (a 25DM42a diesel on loan) and smaller Plymouth switchers also form part of the museum’s roster, illustrating the diversity of motive power used on narrow gauge lines across Maine and beyond.

Historic Passenger & Support Cars

Vintage Coaches and Combines — The museum operates a series of historic and reproduction passenger cars — including Coaches #22, #24, and #25 — originally built for the Edaville Railroad but modeled on classic Maine narrow-gauge designs. These provide authentic seating for scenic rides.
Open-Air Cars (#102, #105) — Popular on summer trains, these cars offer unobstructed views of Casco Bay and the waterfront, perfect for photographers and casual riders alike.
Combines, Cabooses, and More — The collection includes combine cars (mixed passenger/freight), historic boxcars, cabooses like #553 (from the Sandy River Railroad), and even original snow plows and tank cars — vivid reminders of the day-to-day operations on Maine’s 2-foot lines.

Excursions With Food Options

If your goal is a classic dinner-train evening (white tablecloths, plated entrées, multi-hour trip), Maine Narrow Gauge usually isn’t that. But if you want railroading plus a strong food-and-drink angle, several signature events stand out.

Ice Cream Train: the easiest “treat on the rails”

This is exactly what it sounds like—and it’s a big reason the museum is a summer staple for families. The Ice Cream Train is typically offered on summer Friday evenings, and the experience includes a complimentary ice cream treat for each passenger during the ride.

It’s not a dinner, but it’s absolutely a food-centered outing: a sweet treat paired with a breezy sunset ride along the bay, often marketed as a simple, memorable Portland waterfront tradition.

Sunset Express: beverages + a dinner voucher nearby

For adults looking for something closer to an evening date-night vibe, the Sunset Express adds refreshments. The museum notes that all passengers receive a complimentary beverage, and adults 21+ may have options such as beer, hard seltzer, or wine (with non-alcoholic options also available).

What makes it especially dinner-adjacent is the built-in pairing with local dining: riders also receive a voucher for a discounted meal at a nearby restaurant, encouraging you to turn the train ride into a full evening out before or after the trip.

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride: hot chocolate and cookies on board

Maine Narrow Gauge’s most famous event is its licensed THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride, a theatrical holiday experience and a major annual fundraiser. The museum describes costumed chefs serving hot chocolate and cookies to everyone on the train, reinforcing the cozy, storybook atmosphere families expect.

In other words: no formal dinner service—but definitely a food-and-drink moment that’s central to the event’s identity.

Pumpkin Train: seasonal treats and “pumpkin included for kids”

In autumn, the Pumpkin Train leans into harvest-season charm. Children can decorate a pumpkin at the station, and the museum notes that a pumpkin is included for all kids.

For riders who upgrade, the museum also notes that First Class tickets include a beverage and snack of your choice, adding a simple “treat” component to the fall excursion.

Final Thoughts

It’s easy to underestimate a 1.5-mile railroad—until you realize what it represents. Maine’s two-footers were never about speed records or transcontinental scale. They were about practicality, community, and ingenuity. Maine Narrow Gauge captures that spirit by making narrow-gauge railroading something you can still do, not just something you can read about.

The museum’s Portland setting helps, too: instead of being tucked deep in the woods, it sits right where locals and visitors naturally spend time—on the waterfront, near downtown, amid parks and shoreline paths. That visibility turns preservation into an everyday encounter. To learn more about the museum's excursions please click here to visit their website.

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