| Albion station in 1930, looking south toward Wiscasset. Photo from the collection of David E. Bolduc, Albion Historical Society |
 |
| Albion station in 1930, looking south toward Wiscasset. Photo from the collection of David E. Bolduc, Albion Historical Society |
|
When the Wiscasset and Quebec reached the town of Albion in 1895, it was considered just the first leg of their journey north to Quebec. Construction continued north to Burnham Junction, where W&Q tracks met Maine Central tracks. The MEC put up a big enough fight to make it not worth the W&Q's trouble. Thus Albion stayed the northern terminus.
The line to Winslow became the main line when it went into service in 1902. By WWI, the Winslow line was gone, and the entire line went only Wiscasset to Albion. Trains left from Albion first thing in the morning, for the trip to Wiscasset, and returned to it last thing at night. Albion became quite a little terminus in its own right, with several businesses served by the railroad, including some mills.
The Albion station itself was unique on the railroad, being the only 2-storey station on the line. The upper storey was a residence, where conductor Albert Rancourt and his family lived. The Rancourts, and other families, lived there many years after the railroad was torn up. Eventually, the building itself was abandoned and began to fall apart, surviving storms, vandalism, and even several fires.
| Albion Station before rebuilding. Photo courtesy of David E. Bolduc, Albion Historical Society. |
 |
Just a day before Hurricane Bob hit in 1991, Charles Overlock of Winslow and Phil Dow of Albion reinforced the sagging building against the high winds expected from the storm. The station survived the storm, and these two, plus Albion resident Carl Buitta began the slow process of rebuilding, but as you can see above, the old station needed a lot of work.
Supported by the Albion Historical Society, Carl continues the job. The station now firmly rests on a concrete pad, and has been stabilized. One-hundred fifty feet of track were laid in front of the station in October, 1998, thanks to WW&F Museum volunteers. Below, you can see what the station looked like in early October, 1999.
| Albion Station in October, 1999. Flanger 202 is in the foreground, partially covered with a tarp. |
 |
October, 1999 update: The WW&F Railway Museum's Second Annual Albion Work Day was held on October 2. The day was clear and bright. Ladies from the Albion Historical Society had refreshments and lunch set out for the work crew. The Albion station sign was taken out of hiding and put over the door.
Much of the station looks to be in wonderful shape: the eaves have been enclosed and fully supported, the walls are tight and windows have been installed, and the inside is beginning to be finished off. The exception to this is the rear. The rear roof has not been completely finished and some of the rafters have rotted.
The task for the work crews at the work day was to put facing on the edges of the rear roof. This was accomplished by mid-afternoon, after which the roof was given some adjustment from inside.
Work on Flanger 202 proceeds slowly. At the work day, the south-side coupler was put on. The car has been flipped and sits on trucks right outside the station.
Please contact Carl Buitta if you are interested in helping him:
Directions to the Albion Station: Take Rt. 9/137/202 into the center of Albion. Turn west onto the Benton Rd. The station is at the bottom of the hill, on the left (south of the road).
Right-of-way Status: Much of the right-of-way still exists today, and is in fact a snowmobiler's trail. The Crosby Water Tank is gone, save for four concrete pylons on which the tank rested. On the station grounds, you can see the turntable pit.
Other Railroad Memorabilia in the Area: The Albion town hall has several items of interest in a display case by the front door, including a Wicasset & Quebec stock certificate given to the town, and a narrow gauge spike puller. Carl Buitta has been active in searching out surviving bits and pieces. He has retrieved what was left of Flanger 202 and a boxcar (used as a farmer's barn for many years), which isn't much except metalwork and two stringers. He is beginning work rebuilding Flanger 202 (see above for pictures/progress).
| Albion station track, October 25, 1998. The main line right-of-way continues curving some to the right, before heading directly toward the gap in the bushes. See picture at top of page for comparison. |
 |
Go back to Railroad System Map.
Go back to WW&F Museum Homepage.