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A Maine Christmas Train Ride On An Historic 2-Footer

Published: November 3, 2025

By: Adam Burns

Tucked into the rolling hills and spruce forests of midcoast Maine, the Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum offers a rare, immersive journey into America’s narrow-gauge past.

Located in Alna, just inland from the tidal village of Wiscasset, the museum operates on the historic right-of-way of the original Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway, a two-foot gauge line that once threaded deep into rural communities with nimble trains tailored to thinly settled country.

Today, the WW&F is a living museum run almost entirely by volunteers, where steam whistles echo across the Sheepscot Valley, the scent of coal smoke mingles with balsam, and craftsmanship keeps history in motion.

Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington 0-4-0 #10 takes on water at Sheepscot Station on July 14, 2012. Marty Bernard photo.

The story begins in the late 19th century, when Maine became a haven for “two-footers” — railways built to a narrower, 24-inch gauge that reduced costs while still delivering essential freight and passenger service. The original WW&F evolved from ambitious plans to connect Wiscasset’s waterfront to interior towns, eventually operating a patchwork of track that served farms, mills, and villages. Like most narrow-gauge lines, it fell victim to the Great Depression and the rise of trucks; operations ceased in the 1930s. Decades later, a group of dedicated enthusiasts embarked on an audacious mission: to rebuild part of the line, restore suitable equipment, and invite the public to experience what narrow gauge felt like — not in a static exhibit, but in motion, with all senses engaged.

That mission has grown mile by mile. The museum’s Sheepscot campus in Alna is both railroad yard and restoration hub, with a visitor center, shops, and historic structures. From here, trains head north through woods and wetlands to quiet flag stops and pastoral clearings, pausing at places like Alna Center and continuing toward the current end of track near Trout Brook. The ride is unhurried and vivid. Steam-powered trains, when in service, pull varnished coaches and open windows let in cool forest air; oil lamps and polished brass hint at another era. Even diesel-powered trips retain the museum’s hallmark authenticity, thanks to meticulous car restoration and a deep commitment to period details.

While regular operations run seasonally from spring through late fall, the museum’s most beloved and sought-after event arrives with the first deep chill of December: the Victorian Christmas Train. Held on select days close to the holidays, this annual celebration transforms the railway into a postcard of 19th-century cheer. Volunteers don period clothing, stations glow warm with lamplight and greenery, and the coaches are adorned with traditional touches — garlands, ribbons, and often the gentle flicker of lanterns that give evening trips a magical cast. Snow, if it comes, heightens the enchantment, muffling the woods until all you hear is the soft chuff of the engine and the chorus of carols.

The Victorian Christmas Train is more than a ride; it’s an immersive village festival stretched along the rails. Typically, trains depart from the museum’s Sheepscot campus and stop at Alna Center for holiday merriment. Depending on the year and conditions, you might find bonfires crackling, carolers singing, a simple country church or pavilion welcoming visitors for music, and volunteers offering hot cocoa and cookies. Children search the crowd for Santa, who often appears with a hearty laugh and time for a photo. When snow cooperates, horse-drawn sleigh or wagon rides sometimes add a delightful throwback, connecting the station area with nearby activities. The effect is an experience that feels both intimate and timeless, deeply rooted in community spirit.

Because the Victorian Christmas Train is as popular as it is picturesque, planning ahead is essential. The museum typically requires advance reservations for timed departures, and the event tends to sell out quickly. The goal is to keep crowds manageable so families can savor the atmosphere rather than rush through it. Specific offerings — such as the presence of live music, sleigh rides, or particular crafts — can vary year to year depending on weather and volunteer availability. For the latest details and booking information, check the museum’s website and social channels well ahead of December; dates are usually announced in the fall.

A few practical tips will help you make the most of the day. Dress warmly and in layers; inland Maine can be brisk, especially after sunset, and the magic of this event often unfolds outdoors. Footwear with good traction is wise on packed snow or frozen ground. Arrive early for parking and to stroll the Sheepscot campus before your departure; the yard and buildings often sport their own touches of holiday charm, and the gift shop is a good place to find locally made souvenirs for train lovers. If you plan an evening ride, a small flashlight can be handy between station areas, and a thermos of your favorite warm drink never hurts (though cocoa is usually available). If someone in your party has mobility needs, contact the museum ahead of time; as a historic railway with vintage equipment, accommodations can be limited, but the team will do their best to assist.

Part of the Victorian Christmas Train’s magic lies in its authenticity. The WW&F emphasizes research-based restoration and period-appropriate operations, from the rolling stock to the way stations are presented. Yet the event also feels contemporary in the best sense: inclusive, welcoming, and community-driven. Many volunteers return year after year, treating the day as a gift to the region. That spirit radiates through the crowd. Strangers share a bench and swap stories. Children stare wide-eyed at the engine’s glow. Photographers pause to let others have their moment. It’s not a theme park; it’s a living tradition.

Visiting outside the holidays is equally rewarding. Regular-season trips showcase different aspects of the railway and its surroundings — spring’s bright greens, summer’s dappled shade, and fall’s fiery foliage. The museum hosts special operating days, hands-on demonstrations, and “work weekends” when volunteers tackle big projects, sometimes laying track, building structures, or advancing the restoration of locomotives and cars. Even if you can’t wield a wrench, you can support the railway by riding, becoming a member, or making a donation. Every ticket and contribution helps fuel the museum’s long-term goal: rebuilding more of the historic line and deepening the story it can share.

The WW&F’s broader significance reaches beyond nostalgia. Maine’s two-footers were feats of ingenuity, adapting sophisticated railroad technology to rural realities through careful economies of scale. By interpreting that history, the museum shines a light on how transportation shapes communities — and how communities, in turn, sustain the heritage they value. The railway also strengthens the local economy by drawing visitors who linger in neighboring towns for dining, lodging, and shopping, especially during the holiday season when coastal villages glow with their own lights and decorations.

If the Victorian Christmas Train calls to you, start by marking your calendar early in the fall and keeping an eye on the museum’s announcements. Consider making a weekend of it, combining a daytime ride with evening festivities, or pairing the event with a stroll through Wiscasset’s historic streets and a meal at a nearby inn. Above all, bring your curiosity. Ask a volunteer about the locomotive’s workings, the restoration of a particular coach, or the history of a station. The conversations you’ll have are as much a part of the experience as the ride itself.

In an age when most things move faster and feel more disposable, the Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum stands out by moving deliberately, beautifully, and with purpose. Its Victorian Christmas Train distills that ethos into a single, luminous tradition: a winter’s journey where the past feels present, the community gathers, and the simple pleasures of steam, song, and shared warmth carry you home.