February 6, 2008
B&ML railroad calls it quits
After two years of disappointing ridership and lack of member support, the Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad and Preservation Society is ceasing operations, and is selling its assets and equipment, according to VillageSoup.com.
The 140-year-old Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad carried freight through central Maine up to the decline of the freight business in the 1980s, when it became a tourism attraction. The nonprofit Preservation Society was formed in 2005 to run the railroad as a tourist excursion and operate a train museum. But Robert Lamontagne, president of the Belfast Railroad Preservation Society, said the organization did not have enough financial support in grants and membership fees to break even. The railroad has a large overhead due to the expensive equipment and rail operations.
The Maine Department of Transportation, which has a contract with the railroad to offer tourist excursions along a 30-mile stretch of track between Burnham and the Waldo town line, told VillageSoup.com that it would offer up the contract to a new operator if one could be found.
The 140-year-old Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad carried freight through central Maine up to the decline of the freight business in the 1980s, when it became a tourism attraction. The nonprofit Preservation Society was formed in 2005 to run the railroad as a tourist excursion and operate a train museum. But Robert Lamontagne, president of the Belfast Railroad Preservation Society, said the organization did not have enough financial support in grants and membership fees to break even. The railroad has a large overhead due to the expensive equipment and rail operations.
The Maine Department of Transportation, which has a contract with the railroad to offer tourist excursions along a 30-mile stretch of track between Burnham and the Waldo town line, told VillageSoup.com that it would offer up the contract to a new operator if one could be found.
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