Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad cancels 2020 season

By Brandy Tanner
For as long as the steam engine has existed, and as long as rails have been laid, the train has been part of the soul of America. The railroad is a ubiquitous theme among American artifacts that utilize its imagery to represent freedom — to come and go as we please, to hope for a better future, and to wonder about where we are bound.

Artists, authors and early American musicians simultaneously celebrate and lament the comings and goings of the train. While written word utilizes the symbology of the caboose and the box car, voices and instruments seem purposefully reminiscent of the sound of the train as they rise and fall like the whistle of a steam locomotive. From the high and lonesome sound of bluegrass to the the yodels of Jimmie Rogers and Hank Williams, music is perhaps most evocative of the poignant wail of the train, no matter the genre. Both literally or figuratively, the train has made an indelible mark on the Great American Landscape.
Likewise, the railway is symbolic of the linear passing of time that cannot be stopped. Rail travel has persisted through the Great Depression, two world wars, and the advent of the automobile, and it will continue to serve as a reminder of the tenacity and unconquerable will of the people who built, operated and continue to travel via its tracks. The Narrow Gauge Railroad is no different. In the Western Maine Foothills and the Sandy River Valley we are fortunate to have the treasure that is the Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad. It exists as a steady backdrop to remind us of a simpler time.
The railroad is an historical American icon and an undeniable asset to our local economy. It puts Phillips, Maine on the map and draws enthusiasts from around the globe. As popular as it is among locals, it has immense potential to revitalize the region as the focus of future marketing campaigns. The railroad is a theme, a motif, that could be used to highlight our uniqueness as a destination for tourists and, moreover, a wonderful place to raise a family. Picture this: The train as the centerpiece of a thriving local business scene–The Boxcar Cafe, the Depot Drugstore, or the Locomotive Laundromat. As the economy recovers and expands with the revival of ski areas, it would be foolish to ignore the role of the rail in this renewal.
With freedom comes the responsibilities of participation, promotion and patronization. The railroad needs volunteers. It deserves to be touted as the grand and iconic resource it truly is for our tiny community. Most importantly, the railroad needs financial support in order to bring the steam engine back. This would reap massive dividends and renew the region as a terminus for travelers. We can’t afford not to support the Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes railroad as the investment that it is. “Freedom is Everybody’s Job” was the motto of the Freedom Train, which toured the United States from 1947-1949, exhibited the original versions of the United States Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Truman Doctrine, the Emancipation Proclamation and the Bill of Rights on its tour of more than 300 cities in all 48 states.
The Board of Directors has voted to cancel the 2020 operating season at the railroad. Even though Franklin County and Maine have not suffered the most severe effects of the Covid 19 pandemic, our board feels it would not be prudent to operate this year. Our volunteers are all in high risk groups if exposed to the virus, the small size of our trains and exhibits make social distancing impractical, and we would not want to be a contributing factor should a Covid hot spot arise in this region.
The railroad volunteers will continue working on the various projects to upgrade the property, observing social distancing. Our members and the public will continue to be welcome on our grounds to view our progress.