Maine Switching Services of Unity will be the new operator of the Rockland Branch Railroad after being selected by the Maine Department of Transportation.
The 56-mile rail route was abandoned when Midcoast Railservice stops providing operations last August. The Rockland Branch Railroad runs from Brunswick to Rockland.
Maine Switching plans to resume freight service to existing rail customers this spring and offer scenic train rides and rail excursions by this fall.
According to the Department of Transportation, Maine Switching already operates on the state-owned Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad in cooperation with the Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railway.
It’s a privately owned, railroad services company that provides rail car repair in Unity and industrial rail car switching for paper mills in Rumford and Skowhegan.
“We believe Maine Switching Services has the experience necessary to provide high-quality freight service for customers on the Rockland Branch Railroad,” said MaineDOT Commissioner Bruce Van Note. “We look forward to growing our partnership with MSS as we work together to overcome the challenges created by the closure of the major freight shipper on the line – Dragon Cement in 2024.”
MaineDOT is now evaluating significant bridge infrastructure needs on the Rockland Branch Railroad line which Maine Switching will operate.
