Ride the night train at the Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum in Alna.
The Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum in Alna will hold its annual Fall Festival on Saturday, Sept. 30. This year’s festivities will include family favorites such as a pumpkin patch, children’s games, and hayrides on the museum’s antique Ford Model AA truck, along with new attractions that promise to entertain. For everyone’s listening pleasure, the museum has once again partnered with the Bluegrass Association of Maine to hold a bluegrass pickin’ party throughout the festival. Acoustic musicians from near and far are invited to bring their instruments along and ride the train for free. Light refreshments will be served throughout the day.
In the evening, one can learn about this history of the apple harvest in the Sheepscot Valley. At 6 p.m., a special “Moonlight Extra” night train will depart Sheepscot Station for Alna Center, where locally pressed apple cider and snacks will be served around a roaring bonfire. Author and apple grower John Bunker of the Maine Heritage Orchard will share stories of heritage apples, making cider, and shipping apples via the narrow gauge in the Sheepscot Valley. After sunset, the train will return to Sheepscot Station amid the warm glow of oil lamps.
All of the festivities can be accessed by the museum’s trains, which leave frequently from Sheepscot Station, at 97 Cross Road in Alna, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets for the 6 p.m. train will be on sale at Sheepscot Station throughout the day and again beginning at 5 p.m. Regular train fares, which apply for this event without extra charges, are $8 for adults, $7 for those age 60 and up, $5 for kids ages 4-12, and free for kids age 3 and under. Train tickets and parking for the festival are also located at Sheepscot Station.
