Downeast Scenic Railroad — Attraction in Hancock

The Downeast Scenic Railroad is an excellent stop to add to your itinerary for a fun day out to enjoy the scenic Maine wilderness. This place was recommended by our hotel guide when my father and I were staying in Bar Harbor for our 2021 East Coast US trip, I sure am glad we did not miss this opportunity to check it out, who knows what else we could have done if we snoozed on it? This place is not very hard to spot from the side of the road, just be sure to look out for the colorful red sign as you drive.

Formed in 2010, this is one of the newest tourist railroads around preserving important history in the making. The staff were a joy to be around from greeting you at the station to educating you on railroad history and even allowing you to explore their property as you wait for the train to get ready. The property is massive with lots of vintage equipment on display and it also doubles as an ATV experience as well for those who want to have double the fun, what a bundle! My favorite part of exploring the property was going inside the restoration shed, it was a real treat to see what goes on behind the scenes as it's not everyday you get this kind of opportunity anywhere.

After finishing exploring the property, the train ride finally began. We were seated in the open air car, it felt very nice and comfortable having a cool breeze blow in your face as the train thunders down the line at full speed, not only that, you get to enjoy the scenery even more as it makes exciting photo opportunities as you're relaxing outside. The scenery was beautiful as we got to travel through the wild forests looking out for wildlife combined with lovely streams and swamp lands alongside cute houses and communities that serve as a reminder of how important the railroad was back then and still is to this very day. It was especially mind blowing to be running next to the highway as excited people driving by slowed down to enjoy the presence of our train in its glory, just goes to show that trains are for just about everybody.

In conclusion, the Downeast Scenic Railroad is a must see for everyone nearby the Bar Harbor area, the love for rail preservation is evident all over the place from both locals and tourists alike. All the money spent for tickets goes to a good cause as they have big plans to finish restoring an old Steamer that will eventually run down the line with their fleet and with the Maine Department of Transportation's help, they plan on extending the track to as far as Bangor. Your donations and support matter a lot to ensure a bright future for rail preservation in Maine, definitely stop by when you can and tell them I...

2 stars for us adults. I'm guessing more stars if we had been kids. Gorgeous, historical train. No wait; all times were honored. A handful of riders appeared to enjoy sitting at the train's picnic tables-- some of the tables were covered by umbrellas & others were not. We saw two families bring a packed lunch on board. We sat in a covered train car. It was great that the original seats could be flipped so passengers could face others who accompanied them. The older, all volunteer staff was absolutely great. The BEST! The automated narrative history was essentially INAUDIBLE; we maybe caught 5% of it over the speakers, which had been a big draw for us when we purchased the tickets a month plus in advance. Had the volume been at a decent level perhaps the many kids & adults would not have been so loud. (Or perhaps etiquette for riders should have been posted or enforced.) We saw osprey nests, trees, dead trees in marshes, dead trees on dry land, businesses, one school, we went over one tiny bridge, then returned. Not at all impressive. It was very hot whenever the train stopped, and at one point we were not moving for a very long time. The ceiling fans were much too small to provide enough air movement (see pic). On board, there were too many very loud children w/ their very loud parents; it took everything in my power not to thank them for making the ride almost unbearable. Staff walked/sold water & snacks from the aisle, and they hole punched out tickets before we exited. They also were willing to pose for photos. WONDERFUL people! Sadly, the overall experience was not. I would return ONLY if I had a child who really wanted to...

This “12-mile, 90-minute heritage ride” is advertised as a scenic trip celebrating Ellsworth’s history, the reality is that most of the route runs directly through residential neighborhoods. Because of this, the horns blare constantly, so loud and frequent that on the train my children and I wished we had ear protection.

It isn’t just riders who suffer. As someone who lives near the track, the noise also disrupts families at home, people working remotely, children’s rest, and even nearby businesses like therapy offices and medical services. The horns are so excessive that they can be heard INSIDE Maine Coast Hospital.

To make matters worse, the engine emits heavy exhaust fumes. Sitting in the open cars is uncomfortable & you can barely enjoy the ride without feeling choked by fumes. Between the fumes and horn we all left with a migraine brewing.

For something that is supposed to highlight the city’s values and history, this railroad does the opposite. You’re seeing mostly residential neighborhoods, not historical marks, and definitely not “beautiful scenery”. Think, people’s back yards and parking lots with a few wooded areas between.

Until the operators take steps to reduce the noise and pollution, I cannot recommend this attraction both as a passenger and as a resident of the city. Visitors should know that what’s being marketed as heritage and history is actually a disturbance to the people and businesses...