2015 will be the final year for the Maine Eastern Railroad’s freight and excursion rail operations.
Since January 1, 2004, the Morristown & Erie Railway has been operating in Maine as the Maine Eastern Railroad, providing year-round freight service and seasonal excursion train service along the Rockland Branch. The railroad’s main office in Morristown, NJ was notified on Wednesday that the operating lease on the State-owned Rockland Branch, which runs for 58 miles between Brunswick and Rockland, ME, will not be renewed with the Maine Eastern. Instead, the local Central Maine & Quebec Railway will assume the freight operations on the Rockland Branch on January 1, 2016.
The Morristown & Erie Railway currently has extensive freight operations in Morris County, NJ and switching operations at the Bayway Refinery in Linden, NJ. Both have seen significant rail traffic increases in the past four years. The Morristown & Erie will be refocusing its efforts on these operations by pursuing several new business opportunities and continuing to foster the upward trend in freight shipments. The Morristown & Erie’s rail equipment currently located on the Rockland Branch will be relocated to New Jersey to supplement the railroad’s existing locomotives and rolling stock and help manage the increased business.
There are no current plans for the continuation of excursion passenger service along the Rockland Branch in 2016. The remainder of the Maine Eastern’s 2015 excursion season will continue to operate as scheduled, with Saturday and Sunday round-trips running throughout October. The final day for excursion service on the Rockland Branch will be Sunday, October 25, 2015. Tickets may still be purchased for these excursions at www.MaineEasternRailroad.com or by calling 207-596-6725.
The Maine Eastern Railroad would like to thank its customers, passengers, supporters, and the State of Maine for the opportunity to operate the Rockland Branch for the past twelve years. The railroad also wishes the Central Maine & Quebec the best success with its new operation.
Click here to view the M&E's press release.