Downeast Scenic Railroad in Hancock, Maine

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Hancock, Maine · Updated October 19, 2026 · 12 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesSaturdays and Sundays, Memorial Day weekend through the weekend after Columbus Day

The Downeast Scenic Railroad brings passenger trains back to a stretch of the Maine Central's Calais Branch, the route once traveled by the Bar Harbor Express, with volunteers running century-old coaches out of Hancock and over the Union River.

  • Former Maine Central Calais Branch
  • 90-minute narrated round trip
  • Crosses the Union River Bridge
  • Century-old restored coaches
  • Run entirely by volunteers
  • Steam engine #470 under restoration

Downeast Scenic Railroad at a glance

Hours
Saturdays and Sundays, Memorial Day weekend through the weekend after Columbus Day; see schedule for times
Admission
Fares are posted with online booking; groups of 40 or more get group rates
Train rides
About 90 minutes, 12 miles round trip from Hancock over the Union River Bridge
Plan for
About 2 hours
Best for
Families, rail fans and Acadia-area visitors
Best ages
All ages; ages 3 to 12 especially
Parking
Parking at the Hancock boarding area; buses welcome with advance reservations

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

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Downeast Scenic Railroad? 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 Hancock.

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.

Reviving the line the rusticators rode

The tracks out of Hancock belong to the old Calais Branch of the Maine Central Railroad, a line that once ran 126 miles from Northern Maine Junction near Bangor to Calais. In its heyday, wealthy summer visitors known as rusticators rode the famous Bar Harbor Express along this corridor from the cities to their summer cottages on the coast. Today the Downeast Scenic Railroad gives riders views along the branch that few people have seen from a train in generations.

The railroad is the work of the Downeast Rail Heritage Preservation Trust, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Bar Harbor whose mission is to celebrate and preserve the railroad history of Downeast Maine. Its first goal is to develop the Downeast Scenic Railroad for the education and enjoyment of future generations, with a longer-term plan to run all the way from Ellsworth to Green Lake. A study for the Trust projected that full operations could draw about 72,000 riders a year and bring millions of dollars to the local economy.

Everything is done by volunteers, from restoring wooden coaches and maintaining diesel locomotives to narrating the rides and teaching history, and no railroad experience is needed to join. The Trust also works alongside New England Steam Corporation, a separate nonprofit restoring Maine Central steam locomotive #470 and teaching the vanishing trades needed to do it.

Preservation keeps finding new pieces. Thanks to a donation from CSX and funding from the 2024 H. Albert Webb Memorial Railroad Preservation Award, the Trust trucked a 1952 Maine Central Russell snow plow, #82, to its yard at Washington Junction and began bringing it back to original condition.

Forests, marsh, ospreys and the Union River

Trips begin at the Hancock Station boarding platform on Washington Junction Road, just outside Ellsworth, where you pick up tickets, browse souvenirs and look over the refurbished coaches. The train then rolls about 90 minutes over 12 miles of track through forest and open marsh, past a sawmill, wild blueberry facilities, nesting ospreys, beaver lodges and the old Ellsworth train station, while a volunteer narrates the sights and the history.

At the far end, the locomotive uncouples, runs past the train on a siding, and couples onto the other end, a great moment for photos. It then pushes the train across the restored Union River Bridge before reversing for the trip back to Hancock. Afterward, ask your conductor whether volunteers are free for a quick look around the railyard or at the #470 steam restoration project.

Don’t miss

  1. The Union River BridgeThe recently restored bridge is the turning point of the trip and one of the scenic high points of the route.
  2. The run-around moveWatching the locomotive uncouple, pass the train on a siding and recouple at the other end shows how railroads really worked.
  3. Maine Central steam locomotive #470New England Steam Corporation is restoring this engine in the yard, and volunteers may offer a quick visit after your ride.
  4. Locomotive #54A 600-horsepower General Electric diesel built in 1948 for the Berlin Mills Railway, later run by the Belfast & Moosehead Lake before coming here in 2008.
  5. Russell Snow Plow #82Built in 1952 for the Maine Central, this winged plow once cleared the Calais Branch all the way to Calais and is being restored.
  6. Open Air Car #124 Downeast BreezeOne of the named cars in the train, along with coaches Union River and McNeil Point and combine Green Lake.

Horns, ospreys and a selfie with the engineer

Kids love the sound of the horn at every crossing, the clickety-clack of the wheels, and spotting ospreys and beaver lodges from the window. The run-around move at the end of the line is a real show, and when the ride is over families can take a picture beside the locomotive with the conductor or engineer. The railroad lists the ride as suitable for all ages.

Ninety minutes is a good length for school-age kids; for toddlers, bring snacks and something to do, though water and light snacks are available. The open-air car is a favorite in warm weather.

Plan your visit: tips for Downeast Scenic Railroad

  • Pick up prepaid tickets at the ticket booth before boarding.
  • Ask your conductor after the ride about a railyard tour or a look at #470.
  • Groups of 40 or more pay in advance one week before the ride.
  • Full train charters need two weeks' notice.
  • Sign up for the newsletter to hear about special excursions.

A railroad powered entirely by volunteers

The Downeast Rail Heritage Preservation Trust runs the railroad with a crew made up entirely of volunteers, who restore coaches, maintain engines, tend the grounds and narrate the trips. No rail experience is needed to join. Donations to the Trust are tax deductible and currently help finish the restoration of snow plow #82.

Other rail and transport stops inland from Hancock

The Maine Forest & Logging Museum at Leonard's Mills is about 25 miles away, and the Cole Land Transportation Museum in Bangor is about 26 miles. For a second train ride, the Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad is about 47 miles west. See the full Maine list for more.

Every train museum in Maine

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a conductor in a blue suit shaking Rally's paw on the train
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

At the end of a Downeast Scenic ride, families are invited to take a selfie beside the locomotive with the conductor or engineer. I love that. In our book, Mr. Conductor in his blue uniform holds out a hand to Rally, and that small kindness is what makes the trip feel safe. If your little one wants a train story before or after the ride, I keep a list of train books for toddlers.

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 Downeast Scenic Railroad?

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.

Downeast Scenic Railroad: 20 questions before you ride

Where is the Downeast Scenic Railroad in Hancock, Maine?

Trains board at the Hancock Station platform on Washington Junction Road in Hancock, just outside Ellsworth. The railroad's address is 8 Railroad Siding Road, Hancock, ME 04640, and its mailing address is P.O. Box 621, Ellsworth, ME 04605. Call 866-449-7245 if you need directions.

Is the Downeast Scenic Railroad in Ellsworth?

Nearly. The boarding platform is in Hancock, just outside Ellsworth, and the route runs through the Ellsworth area, including Ellsworth Falls, past the old Ellsworth train station and across the Union River Bridge. Many travel sites list the railroad under Ellsworth for that reason.

Is the Downeast Scenic Railroad near Bar Harbor?

The trust that runs the railroad has its office in Bar Harbor, but trains leave from Hancock, near Ellsworth, not from Bar Harbor itself. The line is part of the old route the Bar Harbor Express used to carry summer visitors toward the coast, so it fits well with an Acadia-area trip.

What is the Downeast Scenic Railroad route?

The train runs about 12 miles round trip on the former Calais Branch of the Maine Central Railroad. It leaves Hancock, passes through forest and open marsh, goes by a sawmill, wild blueberry facilities and the old Ellsworth station, crosses the Union River Bridge, and then reverses back to Hancock.

Is there a Downeast Scenic Railroad map?

The railroad does not post a printable route map on its main ride page, but it describes the line clearly: Hancock to the Union River and back on the old Maine Central Calais Branch, through Ellsworth Falls. Use the Hancock address for directions, and ask the volunteer narrator to point out landmarks during the trip.

What is the Downeast Scenic Railroad schedule?

As of October 2026, the railroad operates on Saturdays and Sundays from Memorial Day weekend through the weekend after Columbus Day, so the 2026 season has just ended. The online schedule lists dates, the number of trips each day, departure times, holidays and specials for each season.

How do I buy Downeast Scenic Railroad tickets?

Book tickets through the railroad's website, then pick up your prepaid tickets at the ticket booth at Hancock Station before boarding. Tickets can also be purchased at the station. The railroad does not list fares in its ride description, so check the booking page or call 866-449-7245 for current prices.

How long is the Downeast Scenic Railroad ride?

The railroad says the ride takes about 90 minutes. Some older directory listings give different lengths, from an hour and a quarter to an hour and three quarters, so plan on about two hours in total with boarding and a few photos beside the locomotive afterward.

What do reviews say about the Downeast Scenic Railroad?

The railroad does not publish reviews on its own website. Riders share their thoughts on Tripadvisor, where it is listed under Ellsworth, and on the railroad's Facebook page. Those are the best places to read about the narration, the scenery and the volunteer crew before you go.

Where can I see Downeast Scenic Railroad photos?

The railroad's Facebook page shares photos of its trains, special excursions and restoration work, and its website has an equipment page with each locomotive and car. Visitor photos are on Tripadvisor too. During the ride you will have a good photo chance when the locomotive runs around the train.

What will we see on the Downeast Scenic Railroad?

Highlights include lush forest, open marshland, a sawmill, wild blueberry facilities, nesting ospreys, beaver lodges, the old Ellsworth train station and the restored Union River Bridge. A volunteer narrates points of interest and railroad history along the way, and you will hear the horn at every crossing.

What locomotives does the Downeast Scenic Railroad have?

The equipment roster lists diesel locomotives #53, #54 and #1055. Number 54 is a 600-horsepower General Electric engine built in 1948 for the Berlin Mills Railway and later used by the Belfast & Moosehead Lake before the Downeast Scenic bought it in 2008. Maine Central steam locomotive #470 is being restored on site.

What is Maine Central #470 at the Downeast Scenic Railroad?

Number 470 is a Maine Central steam locomotive being restored by New England Steam Corporation, a separate nonprofit that teaches vanishing trades through hands-on training. After your ride, ask the conductor whether volunteers are available to show you the restoration project or give a quick railyard tour.

Is the Downeast Scenic Railroad good for kids?

Yes. The railroad lists the ride as suitable for all ages, and kids enjoy the horn, the wildlife, the bridge crossing and watching the engine move from one end of the train to the other. After the ride, families can take a photo beside the locomotive with the conductor or engineer.

Is there food on the Downeast Scenic Railroad?

Water and light snacks are available, according to the railroad's reminders for riders. There is no full meal service listed for regular trips. For a longer day, bring your own snacks or plan lunch in nearby Ellsworth before or after the train.

Does the Downeast Scenic Railroad offer group rates?

Yes. Group rates apply to parties of 40 or more, with advance payment due one week before the ride. Buses are welcome and parking is available with advance reservations. Contact a railroad representative at 866-449-RAIL (7245) or tom@dsrx.org for group fares.

Can I charter the Downeast Scenic Railroad?

Yes. Organizations can charter the entire train for larger groups or special events, and all charters require at least two weeks' advance notice. Call 866-449-7245 or email tom@dsrx.org with your date, group size and plans to get pricing.

Who runs the Downeast Scenic Railroad?

The Downeast Rail Heritage Preservation Trust, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Bar Harbor, runs the railroad, and its crew is made up entirely of volunteers. The Trust's goal is to preserve Downeast Maine's railroad history and eventually run trains from Ellsworth to Green Lake.

How can I volunteer at the Downeast Scenic Railroad?

The railroad welcomes volunteers for restoring wooden coaches, maintaining diesel engines, caring for the grounds and teaching history, and says no prior rail experience is required. Contact 866-449-7245 or tom@dsrx.org to get started. Tax-deductible donations also help, including toward snow plow #82.

What other train museums are near the Downeast Scenic Railroad?

The Maine Forest & Logging Museum at Leonard's Mills is about 25 miles away and the Cole Land Transportation Museum in Bangor about 26 miles. For another train ride, the Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad in Unity is about 47 miles, and the WW&F Railway Museum in Alna is about 70 miles.

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