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12/25/2024
 
 
 
 
 
By:David Larrabee
Dates:1/1/1880 - 1/1/2011
Album Info:Bangor is at the head of the tide on the Penobscot River. It was an important seaport and railroad town a hundred years ago. At one time railroads such as The Maine Shore Line, The Bucksport and Bangor, and The European & North American joined the northern termuns of the Maine Centeral here. The Bangor and Aroostook came into town over MEC tracks from Northern Maine Junction during the passenger years to handle business at Union Station. Except for the BAR all of these railroads operated as individual entities for just a few years before being leasted to & then purchased by the MEC. Today, except for a couple of sidings PAR operates just a single track thru the city. Not so many years ago there was a large yard and double track. Perhaps these scenes will show a bit of the glory and slow decline of years past. A Tip of the Hat to the R&LHS's Spring 1985 issue of Railroad History for details on the steam locomotive roster. And, most importantly, thanks to the railfans of yesteryear who took these scenes. They deserve a place beyond a dusty shoe box on a top shelf in someone's closet........ /DL
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Wreck
Title:  Wreck
Description:  About 1890. Several lives were lost in this wreck.
Photo Date:  1/1/1900  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:41:23 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Author Unknown
Categories:  Roster,Bridge,Station,Steam,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  598   Comments: 0
1921 Flood
Title:  1921 Flood
Description:  This post card view is looking east towards Brewer. The RR bridge was at center frame and connected the MEC with the Bucksport Branch and The Downeast. The covered toll bridge to the right lost a span. The replacement RR bridge still stands to day. The road bridge has been replaced 2 or 3 times in the following 90 years. /DL
Photo Date:  3/21/1902  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:41:28 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Author Unknown
Categories:  Roster,Bridge,Station,Steam,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  852   Comments: 0
At the Water Works
Title:  At the Water Works
Description:  Today this is called 'Water Works'. The train is headed north on what was the European & North American RR, now leased to the MEC. Today the Eastern Maine Medical Center would be on the skyline in the distance just to the left of the head lamp and behind the stack. /DL
Photo Date:  3/21/1902  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:41:31 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Unknown
Categories:  Roster,Bridge,Station,Steam,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  681   Comments: 0
The Samon Pool
Title:  The Samon Pool
Description:  This scene is little changed today. The track here has always been single track. There is a hospital parking lot to the left beside the tracks. The damn is gone and the Bangor Water Works buildings are empty. The train in the previous photo was just approaching the white building in center frame. The date is an estimate. /DL
Photo Date:  1/8/1904  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:41:33 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Author Unknown
Categories:  Roster,Bridge,Station,Steam,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  474   Comments: 0
The Old Station
Title:  The Old Station
Description:  Before Union Station was built this station was at the foot of Exchange Street. Note the switch lamtern signal in the foreground. /DL
Photo Date:  1/1/1905  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:41:36 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Author Unknown
Categories:  Roster,Bridge,Station,Steam,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  692   Comments: 1
Station
Title:  Station
Description:  Bangor Station near the turn of the century. /DL
Photo Date:  1/2/1905  Upload Date: 12/20/2015 9:25:00 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Unknown
Categories:  Station,Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  322   Comments: 0
Train Shed
Title:  Train Shed
Description: 
Photo Date:  1/1/1910  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:41:43 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Auth Unknown
Categories:  Roster,Bridge,Station,Steam,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  527   Comments: 0
Train shed lookng east
Title:  Train shed lookng east
Description:  The foundation piers for the posts to the right are still there as is some of the curbing in the pavement behind the businesses on the site. About where the passenger gate is stands the rear wall of Kenduskeag Mall. /DL
Photo Date:  1/1/1910  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:41:45 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Author Unknown
Categories:  Roster,Bridge,Station,Steam,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  545   Comments: 1
MEC 173 working the passenger yard
Title:  MEC 173 working the passenger yard
Description:  From the back of the print....: - July 30 1910 Maine Central Switcher #173 at Bangor, Maine - The author unknown. This is an interesting photo. It it taken from the passenger yard looking east and shows a hybrid highway bridge. It is a wood covered bridge on the Bangor side and through truss steel on the Brewer side. If I’ve connected the dots properly the covered bridge on the Brewer side washed out in the flood of 1909. The MEC Calais Branch RR Bridge, which is still in service, can be seen under the covered bridge behind the tender. This 0-6-0 #173 is MEC’s first with that number. It began life as #6 and was renumbered #173 in 1900, then renumbered #183 (the 2nd #183) in 1920, AND then yet again renumbered to #157 in 1920. A Schenectady product built in Sept 1894, rebuilt in 1915 and finally scrapped in Feb 1935. As always a tip of the hat to William D Edson for navagating thru the history of MEC locomotives and to the R&LHS for publishing his account. /DL
Photo Date:  7/30/1910  Upload Date: 12/22/2015 3:08:57 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Unknown
Categories:  Roster,Yard,Steam,Passenger,Track
Locomotives:  MEC 173(0-6-0)
Views:  606   Comments: 0
Union Station
Title:  Union Station
Description:  This postcard came back to the US after being mailed to Argentina. The rotating bridge is still in place, although I don't think it has seen a move since WWII or before. The New Union Station is at center frame. The date is an estimate. /DL
Photo Date:  8/1/1910  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:41:41 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Author Unknown
Categories:  Roster,Bridge,Station,Steam,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  824   Comments: 0
Penobscot River Bridge
Title:  Penobscot River Bridge
Description:  The RR bridge still stands and handles daily traffic into Brewer. Union Station would be behind the camera to the left. /DL
Photo Date:  8/1/1911  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:41:48 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Author Unknown
Categories:  Roster,Bridge,Station,Steam,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  507   Comments: 0
NYC&HR #53709
Title:  NYC&HR #53709
Description:  My dad was born in 1906 and the 1911 Bangor Fire was the talk of the community during the WWI era. This scene looking north from the MEC Swing Bridge up Kenduskeag Stream shows that the fire left some of the west side of the stream untouched. The siding with the NYC&HR box car #53709 was still in place at the end of the passenger era c1960. /DL
Photo Date:  9/1/1911  Upload Date: 6/9/2017 4:37:42 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  RollingStock,Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  203   Comments: 0
MEC 365
Title:  MEC 365
Description: 
Photo Date:  7/1/1912  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:41:51 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  K.R.Schlachier
Categories:  Roster,Bridge,Station,Steam,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives:  MEC 365(4-6-0)
Views:  964   Comments: 0
Kenduskeag Stream Bridge & Union Station
Title:  Kenduskeag Stream Bridge & Union Station
Description:  The swing bridge is single track now, and there is no foot bridge. Note the contemporary photographs at the end of this series. Check out the track inspector on the 3 wheeler to the right. /DL
Photo Date:  8/1/1912  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:41:58 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Author Unknown
Categories:  Roster,Bridge,Station,Steam,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  555   Comments: 0
MEC 248
Title:  MEC 248
Description:  MEC 248
Photo Date:  8/2/1918  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:41:53 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Author Unknown
Categories:  Roster,Bridge,Station,Steam,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives:  MEC 248(2-6-0)
Views:  1508   Comments: 0
MEC 616
Title:  MEC 616
Description: 
Photo Date:  8/4/1918  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:41:56 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Fogg Collection
Categories:  Roster,Bridge,Station,Steam,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives:  MEC 616(2-8-2)
Views:  953   Comments: 0
MEC #168 working the yard
Title:  MEC #168 working the yard
Description:  This 0-6-0 is a product of ALCO-S Blt in 1916 and scrapped in the 50s. Author unknown. /DL
Photo Date:  8/3/1919  Upload Date: 4/10/2017 3:34:36 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  Roster,Yard,Steam
Locomotives:  MEC 168(0-6-0)
Views:  346   Comments: 0
MEC #169 working the yard
Title:  MEC #169 working the yard
Description:  This 0-6-0 is a product of ALCO-S Blt in 1916 and scrapped in the 50s. Unknown photographer. /DL
Photo Date:  8/3/1919  Upload Date: 4/10/2017 3:34:50 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  David Larrabee
Categories:  Roster,Yard,Steam
Locomotives:  MEC 169(0-6-0)
Views:  312   Comments: 0
MEC 355
Title:  MEC 355
Description:  The Date is an estimate. An ALCO product blt December 1903 & scrapped May 1937. This is a particuarly nice photograph. This scene is on the upgrade from Bangor yard to the round house which stood beside what is now I395. In looking at Downtown Bangor Photos the church steeples in the background are good indicators of location and perspective. The train is faceing westbound towards Northern Maine Jct in Hermon. /DL
Photo Date:  8/1/1930  Upload Date: 10/27/2015 4:09:15 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Stillings Collection
Categories:  Roster,Yard,Steam
Locomotives:  MEC 355(4-6-0)
Views:  428   Comments: 0
MEC 702
Title:  MEC 702
Description:  Must'a still had the new smell, only a couple'a months old when this was taken. Getting ready to pull out of the passenger shed. /DL
Photo Date:  8/1/1930  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:42:03 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Heath Collection
Categories:  Roster,Bridge,Station,Steam,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives:  MEC 702(4-6-4)
Views:  1295   Comments: 0
MEC 171
Title:  MEC 171
Description: 
Photo Date:  8/5/1930  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:42:01 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Author Unknown
Categories:  Roster,Bridge,Station,Steam,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives:  MEC 171(0-6-0)
Views:  979   Comments: 1
MEC 617
Title:  MEC 617
Description: 
Photo Date:  7/30/1934  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:42:06 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Author Unknown
Categories:  Roster,Bridge,Station,Steam,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives:  MEC 617(2-8-2)
Views:  1201   Comments: 0
MEC 356
Title:  MEC 356
Description: 
Photo Date:  1/1/1935  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:42:14 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Author Unknown
Categories:  Roster,Bridge,Station,Steam,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives:  MEC 356(4-6-0)
Views:  1055   Comments: 0
MEC 383
Title:  MEC 383
Description:  Looks like he just filled the coal bunker.... Built May 1923 - Scrapped March '51 /DL
Photo Date:  8/1/1935  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:42:11 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Osier Collection
Categories:  Roster,Bridge,Station,Steam,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives:  MEC 383(4-6-0)
Views:  841   Comments: 0
MEC 631
Title:  MEC 631
Description:  This looks like a double header pulling west out of the yard passing the enginehouse lead. /DL
Photo Date:  8/18/1935  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:42:08 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Author Unknown
Categories:  Roster,Bridge,Station,Steam,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives:  MEC 631(2-8-2)
Views:  928   Comments: 0
MEC 402
Title:  MEC 402
Description: 
Photo Date:  1/1/1938  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:42:19 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Author Unknown
Categories:  Roster,Bridge,Station,Steam,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives:  MEC 402(4-6-0)
Views:  846   Comments: 0
MEC 412
Title:  MEC 412
Description: 
Photo Date:  10/1/1938  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:42:17 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Author Unknown
Categories:  Roster,Bridge,Station,Steam,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives:  MEC 412(4-6-0)
Views:  897   Comments: 0
MEC 383
Title:  MEC 383
Description: 
Photo Date:  1/1/1941  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:43:55 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Author Unknown
Categories:  Bridge,Station,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives:  MEC 383(4-6-0)
Views:  1110   Comments: 0
MEC 464
Title:  MEC 464
Description:  "Just in from Vanceboro" so said the caption on the back of the photo. /DL
Photo Date:  1/1/1944  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:43:57 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Author Unknown
Categories:  Bridge,Station,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives:  MEC 464(4-6-2)
Views:  678   Comments: 0
MEC 702
Title:  MEC 702
Description:  In front of Union Station. /DL
Photo Date:  1/1/1945  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:44:02 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Author Unknown
Categories:  Bridge,Station,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives:  MEC 702(4-6-4)
Views:  1067   Comments: 0
MEC 176
Title:  MEC 176
Description: 
Photo Date:  8/16/1945  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:44:01 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Author Unknown
Categories:  Bridge,Station,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives:  MEC 176(0-6-0)
Views:  1121   Comments: 0
MEC 653
Title:  MEC 653
Description:  #653 westbound out of the yard. If I'm properly indexed c2017 the Engine House and I395 bridge over the Penobsoct is and will be just behind the camera. /DL
Photo Date:  8/15/1948  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:44:05 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Author Unknown
Categories:  Bridge,Station,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives:  MEC 653(2-10-2)
Views:  1609   Comments: 2
MEC 605
Title:  MEC 605
Description:  Alco blt March 1914. Humm my referecns says this locomotive was scrapped 3/49. Something's miss indexed here. /DL
Photo Date:  8/3/1949  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:44:07 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Fogg Collection
Categories:  Bridge,Station,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives:  MEC 605(2-8-2)
Views:  875   Comments: 0
MEC 167
Title:  MEC 167
Description:  Switching just east of Union Station. I'm not sure the date on the back of the photo is correct. If it is #167 has just days if not weeks before it is taken to Waterville and placed in the dead line. /DL
Photo Date:  5/16/1952  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:44:09 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Author Unknown
Categories:  Bridge,Station,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives:  MEC 167(0-6-0)
Views:  1071   Comments: 0
Union Station
Title:  Union Station
Description:  Union Station from the street side. In less than 2 years all passenger service would end and the removal of the building would be underway. About the time this photo was taken yours truly was sported to supper in the RR Dining Room in the Station. Pea Soup as I recall. /DL
Photo Date:  8/6/1958  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:44:13 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Author Unknown
Categories:  Bridge,Station,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  1127   Comments: 3
MEC 556
Title:  MEC 556
Description:  Union Station is in the background. These Alcos were a regular part of the fabric of this observers attachment to railroading... /DL
Photo Date:  10/1/1958  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:44:17 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Author Unknown
Categories:  Bridge,Station,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives:  MEC 556(RS3)
Views:  1987   Comments: 0
MEC 557
Title:  MEC 557
Description:  556 and 557 frequently ran as a pair. In fact I don't ever recall seeing one of MEC's RS2s or RS3s ever running as an individula locomotive except in this setting. /DL
Photo Date:  1/1/1965  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:44:20 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Fred Byerly
Categories:  Bridge,Station,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives:  MEC 557(RS3)
Views:  1747   Comments: 0
MEC 554
Title:  MEC 554
Description:  On the table at Bangor. /DL
Photo Date:  3/11/1968  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:44:23 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Author Unknown
Categories:  Bridge,Station,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives:  MEC 554(RS2)
Views:  1285   Comments: 0
MEC 556
Title:  MEC 556
Description: 
Photo Date:  3/1/1970  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:44:26 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Author Unknown
Categories:  Bridge,Station,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives:  MEC 556(RS3)
Views:  713   Comments: 0
MEC 557
Title:  MEC 557
Description: 
Photo Date:  3/1/1970  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:44:30 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Author Unknown
Categories:  Bridge,Station,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives:  MEC 557(RS3)
Views:  988   Comments: 0
MEC 557
Title:  MEC 557
Description:  In a later & simpler livery. /DL
Photo Date:  2/1/1972  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:44:33 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Author Unknown
Categories:  Bridge,Station,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives:  MEC 557(RS3)
Views:  1559   Comments: 0
MEC 571
Title:  MEC 571
Description: 
Photo Date:  2/1/1974  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:44:35 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Osier Collection
Categories:  Bridge,Station,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives:  MEC 571(GP7)
Views:  609   Comments: 0
Local Freight
Title:  Local Freight
Description: 
Photo Date:  2/1/1974  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:44:38 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Osier Collection
Categories:  Bridge,Station,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  289   Comments: 0
Local Freight
Title:  Local Freight
Description:  Jointed rail, well ballasted and tended.... /DL
Photo Date:  2/1/1974  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:44:41 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Osier Collection
Categories:  Bridge,Station,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  291   Comments: 0
MEC 554
Title:  MEC 554
Description:  The only MEC locomotive I know of in this livery. /DL
Photo Date:  5/24/1974  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:44:45 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Hans Kuring
Categories:  Bridge,Station,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives:  MEC 554(RS2)
Views:  1189   Comments: 0
Bucksport Local
Title:  Bucksport Local
Description:  A common sight in the late 60s and 70s. The Bucksport Local crossing the river from Brewer into Bangor. In these days if the Alcos didn't handle this job then the SWs did. During the 50s it was a just a pair but with increased production at St.Regis in Bucksport 2 became 3 on most trips. We saw geeps as well but these guys were the most common.
Photo Date:  1/1/1975  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:44:47 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Author Unknown
Categories:  Bridge,Station,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives:  MEC 331(SW7)
Views:  844   Comments: 2
MEC 331
Title:  MEC 331
Description:  New and old livery side by side. /DL
Photo Date:  1/5/1977  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:44:50 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Author Unknown
Categories:  Bridge,Station,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives:  MEC 331(SW7) MEC 332(SW7)
Views:  975   Comments: 0
Bucksport Local backing towards Calais Jct.
Title:  Bucksport Local backing towards Calais Jct.
Description:  An iconic Bangor perspective. The swing bridge is the one in the 1910 post card. Union Station is long long gone. The passenger car yard is still there but it contains freight cars. This yard is all but gone now, all grown up. /DL
Photo Date:  3/1/1979  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:44:54 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Martin
Categories:  Bridge,Station,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives:  MEC 576(GP7) MEC 579(GP7)
Views:  3462   Comments: 6
Fuel Rack
Title:  Fuel Rack
Description:  Guilford has just taken over or is about to. This service terminal has a shot time ahead of it before the sand tower, round house and turn table will be gone. /DL
Photo Date:  9/1/1981  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:44:56 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Author Unknown
Categories:  Bridge,Station,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives:  MEC 402(U18B) MEC 228(U25B) MEC 254(GP38)
Views:  1142   Comments: 0
MEC 802
Title:  MEC 802
Description:  If I am properly indexed, mostly to the elm tree in the back ground, which as I recall was on Main Street across from Millers this train is a recently arrived eastbound. /DL
Photo Date:  7/24/1983  Upload Date: 2/7/2011 8:45:00 PM
Location:  Bangor, ME
Author:  Author Unknown
Categories:  Bridge,Station,Passenger,Track,Action
Locomotives:  MEC 802(RS11) MEC 567(GP7)
Views:  1095   Comments: 0


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