Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad in Phillips, Maine

Written By Kelsey Cecil

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

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesSelected weekends, typically Father's Day to mid October; Ghost Train each fall

The Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad preserves and runs the largest and most successful of Maine's two-foot gauge railroads on its own original trackbed in Phillips, the town that was once the center of the whole system.

  • Maine's largest two-foot railroad
  • Original trackbed in Phillips
  • Revival began in 1970
  • Fares $7 adults, $3 kids
  • Ghost Train draws 500+ riders

Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad at a glance

Hours
Selected weekends, typically Father's Day through mid October; see the operating schedule
Admission
$7 ages 13 and up, $3 under 13, under 6 free
Train rides
About an hour on two-foot gauge equipment, selected weekends in summer and fall
Seasonal events
Ghost Train
Plan for
About 1.5 hours
Best for
Narrow gauge fans, history lovers and families on a mountain drive
Best ages
Ages 4 and up; non-scary Ghost Trains for little ones
Parking
At the station on Bridge Street on regular days; Ghost Train parking is at the Phillips Area Community Center
Accessibility
Handicapped riders can park at the station during the Ghost Train with a pass from the community center

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

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes 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 Phillips.

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.

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

Phillips, the hub of 112 miles of two-foot track

Two-foot gauge common carrier railroads in America were a Maine specialty. Five of them ran in the state, and the Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes was the largest, with about 112 miles of track across Franklin County. It grew out of a string of small lines that Gardiner banker Josiah Maxcy pulled together beginning in the 1890s and formally merged in 1908. Trains ran from Farmington to Strong, then on one branch to Kingfield and on another through Phillips to Rangeley, and Phillips, with its shops and roundhouse, was the center of it all.

For a time the railroad was busy hauling lumber and pulpwood, and from 1912 to 1923 it operated as a subsidiary of the Maine Central, which built box cars, flat cars and cabooses for it. Hard years followed. Pulpwood demand dropped after World War I, the Phillips roundhouse burned in February 1923 and damaged eight of thirteen working locomotives, and the Depression and the rise of trucks did the rest. Service ended in July 1935, and the rails were pulled up for scrap in 1936.

In 1970 local rail fans at the Phillips Historical Society started a project to document the old railroad. That group became its own nonprofit, the Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad, and set out to preserve what survived and to run trains again on the original trackbed at Phillips.

The museum puts unusual care into accuracy, researching original color schemes and measurements for the equipment it restores. Its members come from around the world, and visitors from many countries have signed its logbook.

Authentic two-foot equipment on the original grade

The museum is at 128 Bridge Street in Phillips, a little over two hours north of Portland in the mountains of western Maine. It holds one of the largest collections of authentic Maine two-foot gauge rolling stock and railway structures anywhere, and on operating weekends you ride that equipment over a revived stretch of the original Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes line. The trip is about an hour, through the woods and river country around Phillips.

The setting is a big part of the draw, especially in early October when the foliage around the museum peaks. Volunteers are on hand to talk about the equipment and the old railroad, which the museum restores with close attention to original paint and details.

Don’t miss

  1. The original trackbedTrains here run on the very grade the Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes used, in the town that was the railroad's hub.
  2. Authentic two-foot rolling stockThe collection is among the largest of genuine Maine two-foot cars and structures, restored to researched colors and measurements.
  3. The Ghost TrainThe museum's largest event, an after-dark ride into woods lit with jack-o'-lanterns and haunted by costumed actors from the community.
  4. Peak foliage weekendsEarly October rides pass through some of the best fall color in Franklin County.

Small trains, low fares and a not-so-scary Ghost Train

The low fares make this an easy outing with kids: $3 for children under 13, and children under 6 ride free. The ride is about an hour, so bring snacks and layers, since the museum warns that fall days in the mountains can be chilly.

For Halloween, the Ghost Train adds three non-scary trains between 5 and 6 pm for little ones, with the same decorated scenes but nobody jumping out. Older kids who like a fright can take the later trains.

Plan your visit: tips for Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad

  • Check the operating schedule before driving; trains depend on equipment and volunteer availability.
  • Email is the best way to reach the railroad on non-operating days.
  • Dress warmly for fall rides in the mountains.
  • Groups of up to 100 can book group rates or charters.

The Ghost Train is the railroad's biggest event of the year and has drawn more than 500 riders. Trains run after dark into woods decorated with jack-o'-lanterns, where costumed actors try to scare the passengers. In 2026 riders check in at the Phillips Area Community Center at 21 Depot Street and take a shuttle bus to the station; tickets are $10, sold online only for set time slots, and early non-scary trains are offered for small children. The event is presented with the Phillips Area Chamber of Commerce. For more fall rides, see our list of Halloween train rides in Maine.

A worldwide membership with roots in Phillips

The Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that relies on members, contributors and volunteers, some local to Franklin County and some from across the globe. It counts on community support and puts emphasis on involving young people through education. You can help by joining as a member, donating, or volunteering to help restore and operate the trains.

More narrow gauge country within an hour

The Monson Railroad Museum is about 52 miles away and tells the story of another of Maine's two-foot lines. The Bridgton & Saco River Railroad Museum is about 57 miles south, and the Mount Washington Cog Railway is about 62 miles west in New Hampshire. Find more in our guide to Maine's train museums.

Every train museum in Maine

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor view from inside a dark tunnel looking out at a sunny beach and cliffs
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

The Ghost Train here rolls into dark woods lit only by jack-o'-lanterns, and I love that there are gentle early trains for the littlest riders. It reminds me of the tunnel in our book: everything goes black for a moment, Rally stays close to Mom and Dad, and then a big bright light comes back with happy cheers. That scene came straight from my mom's imagination. You can read about her on our story page.

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 Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes 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.

Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad: 20 questions answered

What locomotives did the Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad run?

The original railroad had thirteen operational steam locomotives in early 1923, when a fire in the Phillips roundhouse damaged eight of them. Locomotives 15, 16, 17 and 18 were reboilered by the Maine Central in Waterville between 1912 and 1917. The Phillips shop also built gasoline railcars numbered 3, 4 and 5 in the 1920s.

Did the Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad use 2-6-2 locomotives?

The museum does not post its locomotive wheel arrangements online, so it is best to ask directly about any specific 2-6-2 engine. The original railroad ran steam locomotives and, from 1925, homemade gasoline railcars. Email secretary@srrl-rr.org with roster questions; the volunteers research equipment details closely.

Where can I find a Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad roster?

The museum does not publish a full equipment roster on its website. Published histories such as The Maine Two-Footers, Ride the Sandy River, and the two-volume Two Feet Between the Rails cover the original roster in depth. For the museum's own collection, email secretary@srrl-rr.org or ask a volunteer on an operating day.

Where is the Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad?

The museum and station are at 128 Bridge Street, Phillips, Maine 04966, a little over two hours north of Portland in Franklin County. The mailing address is P.O. Box B, Phillips, ME 04966. The website has an interactive map for directions, and the phone number listed for the museum is (207) 639-2228.

When does the Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad operate?

As of October 2026, the railroad runs on selected weekends, usually from Father's Day through mid October, and the regular season has wrapped up for the year. All trains depend on available equipment and volunteers. Check the operating schedule on srrl-rr.org before planning a trip.

How much does it cost to ride the Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad?

As of October 2026, fares are $7 for adults and children 13 and older, $3 for children under 13, and free for children under 6. Group rates are available for large groups on regular operating days. Ghost Train tickets are priced separately at $10 per person.

How long is the train ride at Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes?

Travel listings describe the ride as about a one-hour tour over the scenic route in Phillips. Allow some extra time to look at the equipment and talk with volunteers. Because the operating schedule can be reduced or unusual on some weekends, confirm departure times online before you go.

What is the Ghost Train at Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes?

The Ghost Train is the railroad's Halloween event and its largest of the year, drawing more than 500 riders. Trains run after dark into woods decorated with jack-o'-lanterns, where costumed actors try to scare riders. In 2026 tickets are $10, sold online only for specific time slots. Check the website for dates.

Where do you park for the Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Ghost Train?

For the 2026 Ghost Train, riders park and check in at the Phillips Area Community Center, 21 Depot Street, where food and drinks are available, and a shuttle bus runs to the station. There is no public parking at Bridge Street except for handicapped riders, who first pick up a pass at the community center.

Is the Ghost Train too scary for little kids?

The railroad added three non-scary trains between 5 and 6 pm for young children. They use the same train and the same decorated scenes, but no one tries to scare the riders. Later trains are the full haunted experience, so pick your time slot accordingly when buying tickets.

Is the Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad good for kids?

Yes, especially for families who like a slower, old-fashioned ride. Children under 6 ride free and under 13 pay $3. The ride is about an hour, so bring snacks and warm layers in the fall. The Ghost Train's early non-scary trains are a good first Halloween ride for small children.

When did the original Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad close?

Service on the original railroad ended on July 2, 1935, after a scrap metal firm bought it at auction, and the remaining rails were lifted in 1936. The Depression, the loss of pulpwood traffic and competition from trucks had ended regular operations in the early 1930s.

How long was the original Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad?

At its peak the railroad operated about 112 miles of two-foot gauge track in Franklin County, Maine. Lines ran from Farmington to Strong, with one branch to Kingfield and another to Rangeley through Phillips. It was the largest and most successful of the five two-foot railroads in Maine.

When was the Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes heritage railroad founded?

The revival began in 1970, when local rail fans at the Phillips Historical Society started a project to document the old railroad. That group later formed a separate nonprofit, the Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad, to preserve surviving equipment and run trains again on the original trackbed at Phillips.

Why was Phillips important to the Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes?

Phillips was the center of the railroad. Its machine shops and roundhouse kept the trains running, and the shop built railcars and converted flat cars for pulpwood. The roundhouse fire there in 1923 was a heavy blow, and when scrapping reached Phillips in 1935 the railroad was abandoned.

Can groups charter the Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad?

Yes. Group rates are offered on normal operating dates, and charter rates are available for dates that are not on the published calendar. The railroad can host groups of up to 100 people. Email secretary@srrl-rr.org to ask about pricing and dates.

How do I contact the Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad?

Email is the best way to reach the railroad on days it is not operating, at secretary@srrl-rr.org, and the volunteers say they monitor it regularly. You can also write to P.O. Box B, Phillips, ME 04966, or follow updates on the railroad's Facebook page.

Is fall a good time to visit the Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad?

Yes. Early October brings peak foliage to the museum and the surrounding mountains, and the railroad usually runs a few final weekends then. The museum warns that days can be chilly, so dress warmly. The schedule may be reduced near the end of the season.

How can I volunteer with the Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad?

The railroad welcomes new members, contributors and volunteers, and its membership reaches around the world. Volunteers help restore equipment to accurate original details and operate the line. Membership information is on srrl-rr.org, and you can email secretary@srrl-rr.org to get involved.

What train museums are near the Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad?

The Monson Railroad Museum and the Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad are both about 52 miles away, and the Bridgton & Saco River Railroad Museum is about 57 miles. In New Hampshire, the Mount Washington Cog Railway is about 62 miles and the Conway Scenic Railroad about 66 miles.

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