If I Built A Train – Hosted by Chris Van Dusen
Part of FULL SPEED AHEAD – a Statewide festival of train movies and events.
Meet Children’s Author Chris Van Dusen as he learns how we are building trains at the WW&F Railway!
Best-selling author and illustrator Chris Van Dusen has created four books in his popular “If I Built” Series: Car, House, School – and coming this fall, “If I Built a Town.” Chris turns his natural curiosity about making things to a conversation with the WW&F’s volunteers who are building, from the ground up, operating reproductions of a 1907 narrow-gauge locomotive and an 1894 passenger car. This informal conversation – for kids, families, and adults – takes place in the railroad’s engine shed, with an actual steam locomotive sharing the room.
Afterwards, everyone can ride the WW&F narrow-gauge railroad on a 75 minute round trip to Trout Brook and return.
The fourth book in Chris Van Dusen’s “If I Built” Series, “If I Built a Town,” will be published Sept. 30, 2025.
Buy Tickets
Price includes the presentation and tickets aboard the 3pm Sheepscot Valley Steam Train.
Quick Details
| Date: | May 10, 2025 |
| Location: | 97 Cross Road, Alna, Maine. |
| Event Time: | 1:30pm (train ride at 3pm) |
| Cost: | $18.75 – Adults $9.25 – Youth (4-15) Children 3 and under are free. |
| Discounts: | Discounts available for groups of 10 or more, seniors, military (active or retired), WW&F Museum members, Mass Bay RRE members, and residents of Alna, Maine. |
| Duration: | 3hrs (includes 90 min. train ride.) |
| Ages: | All ages. |
| Accessibility: | This train is accessible, including those in wheelchairs. |
| Pets: | Small, well-behaved dogs are welcome at the Conductor’s discretion. (Limit 1 dog per train.) |
About Author Chris Van Dusen
Born in Portland, Maine, young Chris spent hours drawing pictures, specializing in aliens, robots and monsters. After graduating from The University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth and graduating with a BFA in 1982, Chris worked as a freelance illustrator specializing in art for kids with his illustrations appearing in magazines like Nickelodeon, Family Fun and Disney Adventures. One day he started thinking about drawing a picture of a boat stuck high up in a tree and thought that would be a really funny and intriguing illustration. That image, coupled with a refrain, “Mr. Magee and his little dog, Dee/ Hopped in the car and drove down to the sea” became the genesis of Chris’ first book, “Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee” which was published in 2000. He’s been busy writing and illustrating children’s books ever since.
Chris lives in beautiful Camden, Maine with his lovely wife Lori and a yellow lab named Opal.
About the Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington Railway
Ride over the Sheepscot Valley’s Narrow Gauge Railway aboard a historic steam train for a trip back in time. Explore our facilities and workshops where exploration is encouraged and inquisitiveness is rewarded. Experience the nearly-lost art of running and maintaining a steam powered narrow gauge railroad.
About FULL SPEED AHEAD
FULL SPEED AHEAD is a statewide festival of train movies and events, generously sponsored by the Maine Film Center. Learn about all the great train activities occurring May 6-11, 2025 at mainetrainfest.com or read the press release.
Passes, Vouchers and Discounts
We will be pleased to honor passes redeemed as the fare on the Sheepscot Valley Steam Train (which follows the discussion). Upon checkout, please select the appropriate discount for a Lifetime Pass, an Annual Pass, Alna Resident, or similar pass.
Fascinating!
If you want to take a journey into history then look no further. The grounds, staff and support buildings were fascinating but the train ride was the show stopper. The conductor was dressed in authentic garb, came and punched our tickets and answered all our questions about the train, the line and history.
I recommend this for anyone who likes trains and even for those who just want to experience a fun time.
Neil W. via Google
