Somerset and Kennebec Railroad
The Somerset and Kennebec Railroad was a 19th-century Maine railroad which became part of the Maine Central Railroad.
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Locale | Maine |
| Dates of operation | 1853–1874 |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Length | 37.8 miles (60.8 km) |
History
The railroad was built in stages to serve mills along the Kennebec River upstream of Augusta, Maine, where it connected with the Portland and Kennebec Railroad. These two connecting railroads were built to standard gauge at a time when most Maine railroads were built to Portland gauge. The Somerset and Kennebec reached Waterville in 1853, Fairfield in 1855, and Skowhegan in 1856. Maine Central Railroad leased the two connecting standard gauge railroads in 1870, and converted its previous Portland gauge lines to standard gauge the following year. The downstream end of the Somerset and Kennebec became the northern portion of the Maine Central "lower road" main line, while the upstream portion became Maine Central's Skowhegan Branch. Most of the Skowhegan Branch was abandoned in 1971.[1]
Railway mileposts
Maine Central mileposts reflect main line distance from Portland and branch line distance from the branch junction with the main line.[2]
Lower Road
- Milepost 62.3: Augusta agent's station
- Milepost 66.2: Kennebec
- Milepost 70.0: Riverside agent's station
- Milepost 73.7: Vassalboro agent's station
- Milepost 80.1: Winslow agent's station
- Milepost 81.7: Waterville agent's station
References
- Peters, Bradley L. (1976). Maine Central Railroad Company : a story of success and independence. Maine Central Railroad. pp. 14–15. OCLC 2485707.
- Reproduction Maine Central Railroad, Portland Terminal Company, Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad, Bridgton and Saco River Railroad Company Hand-Book of Officers, Agents, Stations and Sidings January 1, 1917. Edwin B. Robertson. 1980. pp. 6, 14. OCLC 7164469.