Boothbay Railway Village Museum, Maine

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Boothbay, Maine · Updated October 19, 2026 · 13 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesClosed for the regular season; Railway SPOOKtacular October 31 and North Pole Express weekends in December

Boothbay Railway Village Museum is a 35-acre living history museum where a vintage steam train circles a recreated Maine village, showing how steam engines and automobiles changed life on the coast of Maine between 1850 and 1950.

  • Steam train rides every hour
  • 35-acre recreated Maine village
  • Historic 1912 Freeport Station
  • More than 60 antique autos
  • Ron Spinney model railroad
  • Leashed dogs welcome

Boothbay Railway Village Museum at a glance

Hours
Closed for the regular season; check the website for 2027 dates. In season, trains on the hour 11 am to 4 pm
Admission
Adults 18 to 64 $20, seniors 65+ $15, ages 3 to 17 $10, under 3 free
Train rides
Steam train loop on the hour, 11 am to 4 pm in season; occasional Ford Model T rides
Seasonal events
Railway SPOOKtacular, North Pole Express, Fall Foliage Festival, Family Harvest Day, Children's Day, Artisan Days
Plan for
Half a day; guided tours run about 1.5 hours
Best for
Families with toddlers and young kids, car and train fans
Best ages
Toddlers to age 10
Accessibility
Firm unpaved roads, most buildings with accessible entrances; ramped open coach with 24 hours' notice

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Boothbay Railway Village Museum? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Boothbay.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

A Maine village gathered piece by piece around a steam railroad

Boothbay Railway Village is a village that never existed in one place. Its historic buildings were collected from across Maine and set down together on 35 acres in Boothbay, so that visitors can walk through the kind of coastal town that grew up between the mid-1800s and the mid-1900s. Running through it all is a narrow gauge railroad, with vintage coaches pulled by a steam locomotive about a hundred years old.

The museum tells a story about technology and everyday life: how the steam engine and then the automobile reshaped the way people on the Maine coast worked, traveled and shopped. That is why the railway shares the grounds with a schoolhouse, a homestead, village shops, a blacksmith shop and a collection of engines that once powered everything from small boats to whole factories.

Some of the most loved parts of the village are the work of individuals. The late Ron Spinney spent countless hours building the model railroad, a portrayal of Maine railroading in the 1950s and 1960s that many people count among the best layouts in New England, and it continues to grow. The antique auto collection, now more than 60 cars and trucks from 1902 to 1962, shows how engineering brought the car within reach of ordinary families.

Today the nonprofit museum is run by a friendly staff, guides like Denny who lead its tours, and a wider family of volunteers and members. Visitors often mention how much love goes into the place, and how open it is: you can poke your head into buildings that a stricter museum would keep behind ropes.

Around the loop, through the village, into the auto barns

Trains leave on the hour from 11 am to 4 pm in season, making a short loop around the grounds; visitors describe about two laps in 15 to 20 minutes, and you can hop off at Thorndike station to see the model railroad. The layout is big, at 46 by 20 feet with 80 turnouts. Back in the village, Freeport Station, built in 1912 in the New York Central style after the earlier depot burned in 1911, once handled passengers and freight coming and going.

Walk on to the schoolhouse, homestead and village shops, the Antique Auto Museum, a display of hundreds of salt and pepper shakers, and the Iron Horse Antiques + General Store for snacks and gifts. The 4-acre Village Green hosts vintage ball games, car shows and family festivals, and Artisan Days bring weavers, blacksmiths and other craftspeople onto the grounds. The museum also occasionally offers rides in one of its Ford Model Ts.

Don’t miss

  1. The steam trainA roughly century-old steam locomotive pulls vintage coaches around the village on the hour, and riding it is the heart of a visit.
  2. Freeport StationBuilt in 1912 to replace a depot lost to fire, it was one of the newest stations in Maine in its day and now anchors the village.
  3. Ron Spinney's model railroadA 46 by 20 foot layout showing Maine railroading in the 1950s and 1960s, often a favorite with kids.
  4. Antique Auto MuseumMore than 60 cars and trucks from 1902 to 1962, plus automotive memorabilia.
  5. The resident goatsAmong the museum's most popular attractions, and a good break between train rides.

Goats, turtles and a short, happy train ride

This is an easy museum for little ones. The train ride is short, the grounds are mostly flat and enclosed, and the walks between buildings are kid-sized. Children can feed the goats, look for turtles in the pond, ring through the village shops and watch model trains. Parents of toddlers have described it as a paradise for kids ages 1 to 3, and children under 3 get in free. Caboose birthday parties are offered.

Roads are unpaved but generally firm, with a steeper grade near the goat pen and blacksmith shop. Most historic buildings have wheelchair-accessible entrances, and boarding the train takes two or three steps, with conductors and engineers ready to help. An open coach with a ramp for wheelchairs or scooters is available with 24 hours' notice.

Plan your visit: tips for Boothbay Railway Village Museum

  • Call 207-633-4727 to confirm the train schedule and which equipment is running that day.
  • Pack a picnic: only light snacks are sold, and there are picnic tables and a 4-acre green.
  • Leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome, including at special events.
  • Members, Maine foster families and active or retired military families get in free with ID.
  • Groups that reserve 14 days ahead get a complimentary step-on welcome.

The village stays busy after the regular season ends. Railway SPOOKtacular on October 31 is a Halloween day for kids, with tickets sold at the gate. In December the North Pole Express runs on three weekends, with trains every 45 minutes starting at 10:45 am, and members get first access to tickets. Find more ideas in our guides to Christmas train rides in Maine and Maine Halloween train rides.

Guides, crews and members who keep the village alive

The nonprofit museum depends on its staff, tour guides, train crews and members, and visitors often mention how warmly they treat families. You can help by buying a membership (2027 memberships are already on sale), donating, booking a caboose birthday party or private event, or shopping the Iron Horse Antiques + General Store.

Two-foot gauge neighbors up and down the coast

The WW&F Railway Museum in Alna is only about 11 miles away and runs its own narrow gauge steam trains. The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad in Portland is about 35 miles away, and the Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad about 51. See every Maine train museum for more.

Every train museum in Maine

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a dad lifting Rally the corgi up the big stairs of a red train car
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

Boarding the train at Boothbay takes two or three steps, and the museum says the conductors and engineers are always there to help. That is exactly Rally's problem in our book: his short corgi legs cannot manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost while Mom carries the bags. Kids learning to read seem to love that page, because everyone knows what it feels like when a step is too tall.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at Boothbay Railway Village Museum?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Boothbay Railway Village: 20 questions families ask

What is the Boothbay Railway Village Museum?

It is a 35-acre living history museum in Boothbay, Maine, built around a recreated village of historic buildings gathered from across the state. Visitors ride a narrow gauge steam train, explore a schoolhouse, homestead and shops, and see an antique auto museum and a large model railroad. It covers Maine life from about 1850 to 1950.

Where is the Boothbay Railway Village Museum on Wiscasset Road?

The museum is on Route 27, also called Wiscasset Road, in Boothbay, Maine, on the way into the Boothbay Harbor region. The website has a Directions page with full driving instructions. Call 207-633-4727 if you need help finding the entrance.

How much are Boothbay Railway Village Museum tickets?

As of October 2026, admission is $20 for adults 18 to 64, $15 for adults 65 and over, $10 for children 3 to 17, and free for children under 3. Members, Maine foster families and active or retired military families get in free with ID. Special events have their own tickets.

Is the Boothbay Railway Village Museum open now?

As of October 2026, the museum is closed for its regular season, but it still opens for Railway SPOOKtacular on October 31 and the North Pole Express on weekends in December. Memberships for the 2027 season are already on sale. Watch railwayvillage.org for next season's opening date.

When does the train run at Boothbay Railway Village?

During the regular season, rail trips leave on the hour from 11 am to 4 pm, and the last train departs promptly at 4 pm. The homepage lists Tuesday to Sunday while the hours page says every day, so call 207-633-4727 to confirm the schedule and the equipment running on your date.

How long is the Boothbay Railway Village train ride?

The ride is short, which suits young children. Visitors describe the loop as about 15 to 20 minutes, usually two laps around the grounds, and you can hop off at Thorndike station to see the model railroad. The train is pulled by a steam locomotive about a hundred years old.

What are the upcoming events at Boothbay Railway Village?

As of October 2026, Railway SPOOKtacular runs October 31 from 10 am to 2 pm, and the North Pole Express runs December 5 and 6, 12 and 13, and 19 and 20. During the season the museum also hosts the Fall Foliage Festival, Family Harvest Day, Children's Day and Artisan Days. Check the online calendar for details.

What is the North Pole Express at Boothbay Railway Village?

The North Pole Express is the museum's holiday train, running Saturdays and Sundays on the first three weekends of December, with trains every 45 minutes starting at 10:45 am. Members get early access to tickets, and general sales open in October. Book early, since holiday trains are popular.

How much is the Railway SPOOKtacular at Boothbay?

As of October 2026, Railway SPOOKtacular tickets are $10 for ages 4 and up, $5 for members, and free for children 3 and under. Tickets are sold at the gate. The event runs from 10 am to 2 pm on October 31 and is built as a Halloween day for kids.

What do reviews say about Boothbay Railway Village?

Reviewers often say the museum is put together with love for both trains and local history. They praise the friendly staff, the open feel that lets you look into buildings closely, and the variety beyond trains. Parents of toddlers have called it a paradise for small kids. More reviews are on Tripadvisor and Facebook.

Where can I see photos of Boothbay Railway Village?

The museum shares photos on its Facebook and Instagram pages, and its website has a digital collections page with artifacts from the museum. The groups page also features videos about the village made by visitors. Tripadvisor has many visitor photos as well.

Is Boothbay Railway Village good for toddlers?

Yes. The grounds are mostly flat and enclosed once inside, walks between buildings are short, and the train ride is only a few minutes long. Kids can feed the resident goats and hunt for turtles in the pond. Children under 3 are free, and parents of 1- and 3-year-olds have described it as a great day.

Is Boothbay Railway Village wheelchair accessible?

Partly. Roads are unpaved but generally firm and level, with a steeper grade near the goat pen and blacksmith shop, and most historic buildings have accessible entrances. Boarding takes two or three steps with crew help, and an open coach with ramp access for wheelchairs or scooters is available with 24 hours' advance notice.

Are dogs allowed at Boothbay Railway Village?

Yes. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome throughout the season, including at all of the museum's special events. Owners are asked to pick up after their pets. If you plan to bring a dog on the train itself, ask the crew when you arrive.

Can I have a birthday party at Boothbay Railway Village?

Yes. The museum offers caboose birthday parties, and it also hosts weddings and private events on its grounds. Details are listed under Events on railwayvillage.org. Call 207-633-4727 or email staff@railwayvillage.org to check dates and pricing.

Is there food at Boothbay Railway Village?

Only a few light snacks and drinks are sold in the Iron Horse Antiques + General Store. The museum invites guests to pack a picnic lunch and eat at its picnic tables, or bring a blanket to the 4-acre Village Green. The store also sells antiques, handmade items and gifts.

What is in the Antique Auto Museum at Boothbay?

The Antique Auto Museum displays more than 60 cars and trucks built between 1902 and 1962, plus automotive memorabilia. The exhibit shows the engineering advances that made cars affordable for ordinary families. The museum also occasionally offers rides in one of its Ford Model Ts.

Does Boothbay Railway Village offer guided tours?

Yes. A guided tour of about an hour and a half leads you through the Railway Village and includes a train ride around the grounds. Group visits and motorcoach tours are also welcome, sometimes even before or after the regular season, with add-ons like a steam tour or Model T experience. Call 207-633-4727 to book.

How can I support Boothbay Railway Village?

The museum is a nonprofit, and memberships are the easiest way to help: members get free admission and early access to North Pole Express tickets, and 2027 memberships are on sale now. You can also donate online, rent the grounds for an event, or shop the Iron Horse Antiques + General Store.

What other train museums are near Boothbay Railway Village?

The WW&F Railway Museum in Alna is about 11 miles away, the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad in Portland about 35 miles, and the Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad about 51 miles. The Bridgton & Saco River Railroad Museum and Seashore Trolley Museum are both about 55 miles away.

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Kelsey Cecil
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