Help preserve Maine’s railroad heritage!
Your contribution plays a crucial role in sustaining the rich legacy of Maine’s railway heritage for both present and future generations. Your donation, regardless of size, is valuable and will be thoughtfully utilized to advance our mission of educating the public about this significant chapter in our history. Thank you!
Please use the form below to make a general donation now. If you’d like to donate to the Russell Snowplow Campaign, click here.
Help the Line by Volunteering
You can be a part of the Downeast Rail Heritage Preservation Trust and the Downeast Scenic Railroad Project. We know you’ve always wanted to work on the railroad! Well, you don’t have to do it all the livelong day, but your help would be very appreciated!
The Trust’s volunteers meet every Saturday at Washington Junction, rain or shine.
We hope you will join us and learn more about the Trust and the Downeast Scenic Railroad Project.
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The Downeast Scenic Railroad Project is currently signing up volunteers for the coming Spring/Summer/Fall work season. Projects include rail rehabilitation, grade crossing rebuild, passenger car repairs, interior and exterior, as well as the day-to-day administrative functions needed to keep the project moving forward. WE NEED YOUR HELP; no experience is necessary, just a desire to help preserve our Maine railroad heritage and a willingness to learn; it’s fun too!
If any of these interest you and you would like to help this project, send us an e-mail using our contact form.
This summer’s work days will be similar to last year’s. As we move forward, we will continue work requiring more specific duties and skills. We will, of course, be clearing the line and cleaning culverts and crossings, but with the work we have laid out for this summer, we will need to assign volunteers to certain jobs based on skill and interest. With this said, no one job is more important than another, and every volunteer —no matter what job— is making the Downeast Scenic Railroad a reality.
Work will be from 9:00 am—4:00 pm with a 30-minute lunch break. Other days will be scheduled as groups involved in particular tasks may arrange to move that particular project along. For more details about the volunteer workdays, please contact us at 1-866-449-RAIL or Email the Downeast Scenic Rail.
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- Work Boots
- Work Gloves
- Safety Vests: must be worn by everyone and a hard hat is required if working on or near heavy equipment. We have some of each, but having your own ensures you will always be prepared and will help us equip everyone.
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- Food and Drink (plan to leave large coolers in your vehicle)
- Bug Repellent
- Sun Screen
- Weather Appropriate Clothing
- Shovel and Miscellaneous Tools
We have some of each, but having your own ensures you will always be prepared and will help us equip everyone.
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Our liability insurance requires that all volunteers be members of the Downeast Rail Heritage Preservation Trust, Inc. (DRHPT, INC.). All those who enter the rail right of way must be 18 years of age or older. Those under 18 may work in an area not designated railroad right of way. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and are not permitted to operate equipment or power tools. No children under the age of 14 may perform work of any kind. Before entering the right of way or other Trust property, all volunteers other than those under 18 must sign a general release waver.
THE DRHPT, INC. IS A DRUG AND ALCOHOL-FREE ORGANIZATION WITH A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY.
Please do not bring pets. The Railroad has one mascot, Gus, and he is very protective of his railroad and doesn’t like to share.
As a volunteer and member you acknowledge that you will abide by all federal railroad administration safety rules and rules of the DRHPT, INC, and the Downeast Scenic Railroad, as presented to you as a member of the DRHPT, Inc., either written or oral, and you will further the mission of the DRHPT, Inc, in good faith and cooperation with fellow members.
Most importantly, we want you to enjoy yourself and learn about railroading and the Downeast Scenic Railroad!