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Downeast Scenic Railroad

Scenic Train Rides in Ellsworth, Maine

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Join us on the Downeast Scenic Railroad, the first tourist-passenger train to grace the historic Calais Branch Line in decades, for the best day trip in Ellsworth!

 

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Downeast Scenic Railroad Tour

From $18

The Downeast Scenic Railroad was named Best Day Trip in Down East Magazine readers’ favorites!

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  • See schedule for departure days & time
  • Saturdays & Sundays
  • 1.75 hours
  • All ages

Established 2010

ALL ABOARD!

The Downeast Scenic Railroad offers a wonderful 12-mile round-trip train ride from Hancock, Maine, through Ellsworth Falls, and across the Union River Bridge on the former Maine Central Railroad. The beautifully restored passenger train, with vintage locomotives and coaches, staffed by our all-volunteer crew, is the first passenger train to run on these tracks since 1960. 

Fun for the entire family! The relaxing hour and 45 minute rides are offered Saturdays and Sundays beginning Memorial Day weekend through the weekend after Columbus Day. Each train ride is narrated with information about the area and relevant railroad history. Check the schedule on our website for the dates, number of trips per day, times, holidays, and specials. Advanced booking is encouraged. We invite you and your family to come enjoy a leisurely trip back in time. 

  • Comfortable seating is provided in our renovated coaches. Picnic table seating is available on our canopy covered open-air car.
  • Bottled water and snacks may be purchased on the train.
  • Restroom facilities are available onboard.
  • The train is handicap accessible. Our train crew is available to lend a hand.
  • Your family dog is welcome onboard as long as it is restrained and friendly. 

Rain or shine, any day on the rails is a great day! 

Come ride the Downeast Scenic 

Inside of a passenger train
woman smiling in the train
little boy looking in the distant
front view of train
man looking at the Downeast Scenic train
people in front of the Downeast Scenic Railroad sign
people on the downeast train

What People Are Saying About Us

A relaxing trip into yesterday

The 1-1/2 hour narrated train ride was truly a step back in time. The conductor was extremely knowledgable and passionate. The rail car we rode in had a great background that was explained on a plaque that was highly visible. The ride, turn-around - and "Y" procedure make one appreciate how hard rail travel really was in time past.

– John P. | TripAdvisor
Toot toot

Went on this with my dear friends! So glad we did. The crew was wonderful & informative. I’m so glad we didn’t miss this. It is a great ride for the children. Has some great history behind it, also a work in progress that I hope continues for years to come.

– Cathy B. | TripAdvisor
Great ride

Fun Scenic and a historic train ride! for an hour and a half, you can tour the local area from the comfort of the seating on the train-let the engineer do the driving for a bit, slow down, and remember history.

– Nicole S. | TripAdvisor
Fun for everyone

Nice train ride through along a preserved train track. The turn around is particularly interesting. Families would have a fun time on this ride, just long enough-even for smaller kids

– Vicki S. | TripAdvisor