Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad receives grant, plans events

PHILLIPS — The Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad has been awarded a $2,000 grant from the Mass Bay Railroad Enthusiasts Inc. to support the overhaul of the railroad’s 1883 boxcar/toolcar No. 562.

The award was announced at the Amherst Railway Society’s Railroad Hobby Show held in West Springfield, Mass. in January. The award was one of nine granted by Mass Bay, which works to “increase public awareness of preservation.”
Several SR&RLRR members — Sharon Barber, Leza Gaugh, Bill Berry, Rick Barr, Brian Fanslau and Glenn Downing — recently traveled to New Hampshire to examine the Mead collection, which includes a 2-foot gauge Henschel steam engine, some rail and a few cars.
Melvin Webber plans to continue work on the Brookville engine; when it is back in service repairs will begin on the Plymouth engine.
Summer projects include work on realigning the south end of the passing siding and the turntable lead. Plans are also in the works to spike, gauge and connect the extension of track 0 at the roundhouse, a project that was begun last year but not completed.
The SR&RLRR will meet at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at Community House on Main Street. All railroad members are welcome to attend the meeting.
The railroad’s schedule this summer is:
“Fly Rod Crosby Train,” Saturday, May 18 — Take a ride with Maine’s famous angler and hunter and the state’s first registered guide, Cornelia “Fly Rod” Crosby; trains at 11 a.m. and noon
WWII D Day+1, Friday and Saturday, June 7, 8 — Some 40 or more re-enactors, both in Allied and German uniforms (some of them on the train), will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the 1944 invasion of Normandy.
Father’s Day Special, Sunday, June 16 — Fare reductions for Dads.
Wild West Re-enactment, Saturday and Sunday, July 20, 21 — Good guys, bad guys, six-gun shoot-outs. Enjoy the West in all its drama as re-enactors bring it to life.
Ice Cream Trains, Saturday and Sunday, Aug 10,11 — Free ice cream for all passengers
Civil War Re-enactment, Saturday, Aug 17 — Come watch the clash between North and South and be on board when the rebels raid the train.
Evening Lantern Trains, Friday and Saturday, Aug 16, 17 — Take an evening ride by lantern light.
Ghost Train — Date to be determined.
For more information, visit the organization’s web site at www.srrl-rr.org