Cancellations & Policies
About the Experience
The WW&F Railway Museum endeavors to present the railway as it appeared when it operated between 1894 and 1933. This philosophy extends to how our trains are operated, the rules followed, the schedule kept, and the noticeable lack of modern appliances such as railroad radios, public-address systems, or the use of a scripted narrator during your journey. We invite you to set aside your smartphone (it will have poor coverage anyway) and instead engulf yourself in the sight, sound, and smell of rural travel during the early part of the 20th century while conversing with your fellow passengers and train crew.
Upon check-in, each group is offered a printed Museum Guidebook that serves as your window into the museum and journey aboard the rails; important pieces in our collection are identified, as are points of interest along the route. Additional copies of the Museum Guide are available upon request. Please use the Museum Guide to freely explore our railyard, restoration shop, engine house, car barn exhibit hall, and (perhaps most importantly) to locate the restrooms. Our open campus is yours to discover (just please stay off the tracks themselves) and our volunteers are eager to answer your questions as we go about restoring and running a narrow gauge steam railroad.
Seats aboard WW&F trains are generally not reserved, with the exception of the caboose which may be chartered for a special event. Passengers choose between seating inside a historic (or replicated) wooden passenger coach, or outside in an open air car. Special accommodations can include riding as a “hobo” inside a specially-equipped boxcar on certain dates.
The WW&F Railway is managed, staffed, and operated by the volunteers of the WW&F Railway Museum, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and all fares collected are used to further the educational mission of our organization.
Rules & Safety
Our volunteers have undergone many hours of training and are certified to serve in their various roles. We ask that our guests please obey all instructions, for your safety and the well being of others. Visitors who refuse to obey safety rules or whose behavior has been or may be detrimental to other passengers and/or crew will be removed.
Our grounds and railyard are open to exploration. However, please do not walk on or between the rails (this includes “balance beam” style) as you run the risk of serious injury. Never walk in front of a moving train (if you can see that it is moving, it is too close for you to pass in front of safely.) Also, stay clear of all tracks whenever possible – expect a train to be moving on any track, from any direction, at any time.
Our Restoration Shop and Engine House are typically available for investigation. Please note that these are working railroad facilities – everything inside them is dirty, sharp, or both. Use caution when inside these buildings.
Water can be brought and consumed aboard the train. On hot days, a limited amount of water may be available to passengers – ask your Conductor or Car Host (or help yourself). A water cooler is available inside the Gift Shop at Sheepscot station for your enjoyment. Snacks and other (non-alcoholic) beverages are generally allowed in the non-historic train cars – please check with your Conductor before opening and consuming these items. Full meals, large coolers, and alcoholic beverages are not permitted.
Smoking, vaping, and e-cigarettes are prohibited aboard the trains and within the museum grounds. The use of intoxicants of any kind is not allowed aboard the train or anywhere within the main museum campus. Alcoholic beverages may be enjoyed responsibly at certain event locations such as SeaLyon Farm and The Pavilion at Alna Center, in accordance with local permitting requirements, etc.
Small, well-behaved pets are welcome aboard certain WW&F trains, such as the Sheepscot Valley Steam Train, at the discretion of the Conductor. For their safety, and the safety of the farm animals, pets and companion animals are not permitted at SeaLyon Farm. Please check the information page of each excursion for details.
Our historic steam locomotives burn coal as their fuel for your journey, and often produce cinders that fly through the air. Please use caution when seated in a open car, or adjacent to an open window or door. Emergency eye wash is available upon request from your Conductor, if necessary.
One of the most dramatic parts of a steam locomotive is its melodious whistle. Operated as a warning and communication device the whistle can be very loud, especially for young children or guests with hearing sensitivities. It is highly recommended that passengers with these considerations bring noise-canceling headphones or hearing protection, or elect to sit further away from the locomotive itself.
Cancellations, Rescheduling, and Refunds
Due to the nature of these events, tickets for Music on the Railway concerts, Mother’s Tea, or the Pig Roast Express, can not be refunded (or credited towards a future visit) unless there are extraordinary extenuating circumstances. Ticket holders for all other WW&F trains and events may cancel, reschedule, or modify reservations for any reason up to seven days before departure and receive a full refund (less any ticketing fees) by emailing info@wwfry.org. Unless there are extenuating circumstances (such as severe illness or emergency), no tickets are refundable within seven days of departure. Tickets can not be refunded for passengers who are not seated aboard the train at the scheduled departure time, regardless of circumstance. Please arrive 20 minutes before your departure time, or your non-refundable tickets may be forfeited.
The WW&F Railway reserves the right to cancel and/or adjust operations, routings, motive power, horse wagon/sleigh rides, and event activities based on equipment and crew availability, lack of sales, wildfire danger level, and/or any hazardous conditions. Unless severe weather, treacherous travel, or other unsafe conditions are predicted, all WW&F trains and events will occur as scheduled. Certain events (including Steam and Sleighs to SeaLyon Farm and the Sheepscot Stargazing Special) are very weather-centric. Cancellations or modifications of such events are based upon the relevant factors. For example, if the ground is frozen (but no snow) horse-drawn wagons may replace sleigh rides. In any case, the WW&F and its partners will always provide the core elements of the event advertised, only adjusting to suit weather conditions for the enjoyment of all visitors and volunteers.
If poor stargazing conditions or inclement weather are predicted for a Sheepscot Stargazing Special, participants will be notified and provided with a full refund. The decision to hold the stargazing session will be made in conjunction with the Central Maine Astronomical Society approximately 6 hours prior to departure. All ticketholders notified via email.
Cancellations or reductions in service will be announced via email to all ticket holders, and on the Railway’s Facebook page as soon as practicable. Tickets purchased for canceled trains that are unable to be rescheduled will be fully refunded.
Additional Disclaimers
Unless there are extreme extenuating circumstances, trains will leave at their scheduled departure time and can not be held. Tickets can not be refunded for passengers who are not seated aboard the train at the scheduled departure time. If you anticipate a late arrival, or need to cancel at the last minute, please call us at 207-882-4193 and we will advise you of the best options available.
WW&F trains are typically powered by a steam locomotive built in 1891. Since coal is its fuel source, soot and cinders are part of the authentic travel experience. Please dress accordingly and use caution if seated in an open car.
WW&F trains are not heated (or air conditioned); please dress accordingly. Trains typically run rain, snow, or shine. Trains and events are rarely cancelled due to inclement weather.
Events that are held in conjunction with SeaLyon Farm take place, as suggested, on a working farm. As such, those who do not enjoy the outdoors, appreciate farm animals, have severe mobility issues, or wish to wear clothing/footwear that is not suitable for outdoor activities may wish to consider a train ride or other event that does not include a visit to the farm. For their safety, and the safety of the farm animals, pets are not permitted at events held at SeaLyon Farm.
Events held under the spacious covered outdoor event pavilion at Alna Center, including the Music on the Railway concerts, Mother’s Tea and Victorian Christmas Train & Market will run rain, snow, or shine (please dress accordingly.) If dangerous weather is predicted, all passengers will be notified via email or phone, and given the option to reschedule or receive a full refund. Out of fairness to the dedicated musicians who make these concerts possible, tickets for Music on the Railway concerts are not refundable except in cases of extreme weather, or extraordinary extenuating circumstances.
In Case of Fire…
On days when the Maine Forest Service declares the wildfire danger in our area to be Very High or Extreme, the WW&F Railway may voluntarily substitute a diesel locomotive on all trains. Our historic coal-burning steam locomotive can be unsafe to operate during those conditions.
When the wildfire danger is High or Moderate, we may elect to modify the route the steam locomotive travels, assist it in such a manner to reduce the expulsion of cinders, or follow the train closely with firefighting equipment.
In all cases, we put the safety of our guests, volunteers, and community first. On days when service is modified, we endeavor to provide as unique and historic experience as can be accomplished in a safe and responsible manner.
PLEASE ANTICIPATE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ON ROUTE ONE IN WISCASSET.
Where Do I Board the Train?
All train rides and activities start at our Sheepscot station at 97 Cross Road in Alna, Maine. There are (presently) no stations in Wiscasset, Waterville, or Farmington.
Do not drive directly to SeaLyon Farm for joint events such as the Lavender Pickin‘ or Pumpkin Pickin‘ trains – you’ll miss your train ride!
Events held at The Pavilion at Alna Center are NOT accessible by automobile. Participants for Music on the Railway concerts and similar events must ride the train to Alna Center. This policy extends to those who miss the trains departure, regardless of circumstance and to those who rent the pavilion for private events. Only limited vehicular access is allowed at Alna Center for support vehicles, WW&F volunteers, and emergency responders.
