A Special Immersive Experience

For nearly as long as there have been railways, there has been a special type of train that serves the sparsely settled, rural locales they run through. Called the mixed train, it was often found on less busy branch lines, shortlines, and especially narrow gauge railways. Mixed Trains combined the haulage of freight with the transport of passengers into one train. Typically, the freight made up the majority of the train with a single passenger car (or even a caboose) to accommodate the passengers that would be making a journey.

For most of the WW&F’s existence as a common-carrier Railroad, trains ran as mixed trains. The mixed trains were lifelines for the communities they served, carrying a multitude of things from mail, produce, milk and passengers to gossip and news from other towns along the line. Unlike most passenger trains, mixed trains were not as strictly concerned with following a set schedule- their timing was often dictated by how much freight was being loaded and unloaded and the whole affair had a more casual, unhurried approach than you usually associate with trains. There was often time during stops to pick berries, catch up on the latest news, share a story, or even take a nap.

Today, the WW&F offers a recreated mixed train- not chiefly to move freight or passengers- but instead to give our visitors a unique insight into how the rural economy of the Sheepscot Valley and other similar environs the world over functioned and interacted with the world in a before reliable road transportation.

Your journey will begin at Sheepscot, where your conductor will give a short introduction to the WW&F Railway and mixed train operations. The mixed train will depart Sheepscot headed northbound to receive and deliver freight, railroad cars, and passengers at each stop along the way. Passengers are encouraged to leave the passenger car at stops to take photographs, stretch their legs, ask questions and interact with the crew. Along the way we’ll share stories and experiences to learn a bit about how ‘small-time’ railroading worked to serve small communities like those along narrow gauge railways of Maine. We ask that our passengers exercise caution while on the railway by staying clear of the tracks and expecting movement of trains at any time.

To help complete the experience aboard the WW&F’s mixed trains we welcome our visitors, should they choose, to wear vintage and historical attire to complete the scene. Vintage attire from the 1890s through the 1930s would all be ‘at home’ aboard WW&F trains.

A No.1 Hobo Experience

The unique A No.1 Hobo Experience will be offered aboard every Mixed Train. Participants will relive the thrill of riding the open rails without a care in the world – as a freeloading “tramp” aboard a WW&F mixed train! You will be seated in a modified historic, restored, livestock boxcar which features some windows and minimal seating. As it was not originally designed for passenger travel, this car is not suited for those with mobility issues or children under age 5. Climbing of stairs is required to hop aboard the train. We strongly encourage passengers taking part in the A-No.1 Hobo Experience to dress in ragged old clothing, suitable for the era. Who knows, you may run into “A-No.1” himself on his way to Portland!