WATERFORD — The fascinating story of the Bridgton and Saco River Railroad will be the subject of an upcoming presentation sponsored by the Waterford Historical Society, with the cooperation of the Waterford Library and the newly established Bridgton and Saco River Railroad Museum. Adam Cook, a board member of the museum, will be the featured speaker. The event will be held on Thursday, April 24, at 6:30 p.m. at the Wilkins Community House, 19 Plummer Hill Road in Waterford.

The Bridgton and Saco River Railroad was one of many narrow-gauge railroads that flourished in Maine during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It ran between Portland and Hiram, connecting with larger railroads. Formed in 1882, it was later reorganized to become the Bridgton and Harrison Railroad. Operations ceased in 1941, but much of its rolling stock can still be seen at the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum in Portland, and evidence of the railroad route can still be found locally.

The Bridgton & Saco River Railroad Museum is a new organization established in 2020. Mr. Cook will discuss the group’s plans to build a new rail yard in Bridgton for a museum, and their work on a possible tourist railroad on the original right of way between Sandy Creek and Perleys Mills. This event is a special extension of programs organized by the Waterford Historical Society, offered monthly, June through November. The events are free, and the public is enthusiastically invited to attend. A complete schedule of events and further information about the WHS are available at waterfordme.org, or on the Waterford Maine Historical Society page on Facebook.