MAINE CENTRAL
This page will cover the mainline from Portland to Bangor from 1976 and 1978.
If you missed the Portland area page, click here.
The split between the two mains to Waterville was at Royal Junction. Royal
Junction by the 1970's was just a switch in the woods. The majority
of trains operated over the back road via Lewiston while locals operated the low
road via Augusta. Most passenger trains used the low road to serve the
state capital. This is train RB-1 heading up the back road. By the
way, the train numbers on the MEC were backwards to usual standard with the even
numbers being westbound and odd numbers eastbound.
Yarmouth Junction is on the low road, with 405 leading a local. This
junction is where the Grand Trunk ( CN ) crossed the MEC low road coming out of
Portland.
GP7 567 on a work train at Grays, ME on the back road. 
RB-1 passing thru Grays.
Rolling through the typical Maine countryside on June 21, 1976.
Danville Junction is where the Grand Trunk crossed the back road. Here in 1978, our RB-1 has stopped to interchange cars, while Grand Trunk (CN) train 393 enroute to Montreal is doing the same. In the first picture, the CN units are on the interchange track making a pick up. In the last photo the MEC units are now using the track for their work while the CN train gets ready to depart.
RB-1 shown crossing the Androscoggin River at Lewiston.
Running along Marancook Lake near Winthrop, ME.
RB-1 arrives at Waterville. Here the train will be switched out before
continuing on to Bangor.
Waterville served as the shops for the MEC engines and freight cars. Several locals operated from here as well.
If early Alco switchers were of interest, Waterville was the place to be.
While the RS-2 was popular elsewhere, the MEC only had very few. Here are
two now out of service.
GP38 258 leads a local out of Waterville in the late afternoon on the back road.
A few night shots taken on June 21, 1978.
Early on June 22, 1978, train RB-3 with 260 leading passes the famed steamer 470
entering the Waterville yard.
East of Waterville, the railroad crosses the Kennebec River on large
bridge. RB-1 from June 21 heads toward Bangor.
A local followed by RB-3 cross the bridge between Fairfield and Benton over the
Kennebec River.
GP38 262 works the Hinckley local.
We'll follow RB-3 to Bangor. Here is Burnham Junction. The Belfast
and Moosehead Lake Railroad junction is here.
RB-3 passes the Pittsfield station and awaits a meets with BR-2 
400 leads the BR-2.
Newport Junction. The branch to Dover-Foxcroft left the main here.
The location is Carmel, ME.
Arriving at Northern Maine Junction. Most of the train will be set out for
the Bangor and Aroostook.
Following that, RB-3 arrives at the Maine Central yard in Bangor.
Some views from June 22, 1978.
A little better weather was had on a visit in October 1976.
1976 visit night images.
An old Alco switcher works the Bangor yard on a rainy morning.
571 and another Geep move to their train for Mattawamkeag. 
Heading east from Bangor.
Stopping at Old Town, ME to switch cars and meet 
a westbound enroute to Bangor.
Station at Lincoln, ME. 
Mattawamkeag station. The Canadian Pacific junction is here.