06/03/2026
Portland-area locals: if you noticed work being done on our tracks next to the Eastern Prom Trail during May, here is a report of our activities:
With our busy season picking up soon, the time was right to improve the tracks near Fish Point for the benefit of our guests, our historic railroad equipment, and our neighbors who enjoy the beautiful Eastern Prom Trail.
We replaced 147 standard gauge ties with new five-foot narrow gauge ties in the Fish Point area. Laid end to end, that is about 735 feet of ties, longer than two football fields.
The work also removed roughly 175 cubic yards of spoils, including soil, organic material, and buildup that had collected along the track.
To put that in perspective, that is about 25 dump truck loads of material removed from the railroad.
This work matters because good track depends on strong ties, solid ballast, proper drainage, secure rail joints, and good visibility. Removing built-up material helps water move away from the track instead of sitting against the ties and ballast, which helps reduce soft spots, tie decay, and future maintenance needs. It also opens up the Fish Point curve and improves the line of sight for train crews.
The May work also included spiking, tie plate work, ditching, switch maintenance, cleanup, and repairing rail joints. Joint work is especially important because tight, properly supported joints help keep the rails aligned and the track secure. We hope to make joint repair an ongoing, regular project through the summer on days when trains are not running.
During this current week, the week of June 1, we expect to finish tamping near Cutter Street and continue tie replacement and tamping at the far end of our line, next to the former Grand Trunk Railway swing bridge.
Later in June, we hope to install solar security lights at at the scenic overlook at the end of our line to deter unwanted overnight activity and improve after-hours visibility.
Each tie replaced, each joint repaired, each load of material removed, and each section tamped helps strengthen the railroad we all care about and prepares us for a safe, reliable, and successful season.
