Stonington is a town in Hancock County, Maine, United States. It is located on the southern portion of the island of Deer Isle. With its picturesque harbours, rugged mountains, and secluded islands, the coast of Maine offers some of the most spectacular scenery in America.
Structural Components
- Baseboards (American English: Benchwork) – Foundations of the layout, ensuring stability and modularity.
- Legs & Supports – Adjustable or fixed-height supports for the layout.
- Presentation?
Track and Rail
- Trackwork, Turnouts & Crossovers – Designing, laying, and securing tracks (straight, curved, points/switches).
- Track Ballasting – Adding realistic gravel or ballast around tracks.
- Track Cleaning & Maintenance – Ensuring smooth operation.
Electronics & Wiring
- Power Supply – Transformers, controllers, and digital systems.
- Wiring – Electrical connections for track, points, and accessories.
- DCC (Digital Command Control) – Digital systems for independent train control.
- Lighting – LED or bulb systems for buildings, signals, and streetlights.
Rolling Stock
- Locomotives – Engines, including steam, diesel, and electric types.
- Carriages & Wagons – Passenger and freight cars.
- Couplings – Connecting mechanisms for rolling stock.
Scenery
- Groundwork – Base layers for landscape, such as grass, dirt, and roads.
- Buildings – Stations, houses, factories, and other structures.
- Bridges – Features for varied terrain.
- Trees & Vegetation – Adding realistic flora.
- Water Features – Lakes, rivers, canals, and streams.
Operations
- Layout Design – Planning track and scenery to fit space and theme.
- Control Panels – Centralised or distributed systems for managing the layout.
- Timetables & Schedules – Operating the layout like a real railway.
Detailing and Customisation
- Weathering – Adding wear and tear to tracks, buildings, and rolling stock.
- Figures & Vehicles – Human and vehicular elements for realism.
- Custom Painting & Decals – Personalising stock and structures.
Maintenance & Upkeep
- Track Inspection – Checking for faults or debris.
- Rolling Stock Maintenance – Cleaning and lubrication.
- Electronics Troubleshooting – Ensuring smooth functionality.
Documentation & Community
- Layout Documentation – Keeping plans, wiring diagrams, and inventory.
- Clubs & Exhibitions – Engaging with fellow modellers and showcasing layouts.
- Photography & Video – Documenting progress and creating content.
- Baseboards (American English: Benchwork)
- Trackwork
- Electronics & Wiring
Bucksport Branch. This 19 mi (31 km) branch was chartered in 1873 as the Bucksport and Bangor Railroad after its grade had been surveyed in the autumn of 1872. Construction of the line began in the spring of 1873 with trains beginning to run regularly over its whole length on December 21, 1874. The company was reorganized as the Eastern Maine Shoreline Railway in 1882 and leased as the Maine Central Bucksport branch in 1883.
St. Regis Papers, Bucksport
A 43-mile extension of the Bucksport Branch
Placeholder for Stonington, a Maine Central Harbour railroad terminal in N Scale.
- Lighthouse
- Cedar Shakes & Shingles / Lapboard Cladding
- Lobster Shack with floats
- Isle au Haut Lighthouse
- Opera House, School Street
- St. Mary, Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church
- Square Deal Garage, North Main Street (corner of Granite Street), Stonington
Oil Dealer
North Lubec Canning Company built a factory in Stonington, c.1910. It had several owners over the years, before it closed in 1992. With its wharf, the site is now the headquarters for the Isle au Haut Stonington Dock Company. It was opposite the “Lobster Trap.”
L.G. Cortesi “Oceanville Brand Maine Mussels” later Colwell Bros
Petroleum products Gasoline and heating oil
- Office, Truck Loading Rack, Portable Tanks, Tank Car Unloading, Storage Tanks, Pump House
Union’s X-3
The Stonington Extension: Maine Central’s Coastal Connection
Nestled at the southern tip of Deer Isle, Stonington, Maine, is a rugged coastal town steeped in maritime heritage. In this reimagined history, the Maine Central Railroad extended its Bucksport Branch to Stonington in the 1880s, drawn by the booming granite quarries and thriving fisheries. By the late 1970s and early 1980s, the railroad remains a vital link, keeping industries humming and connecting this vibrant community to regional and national markets.
Industries of Stonington and Rail Traffic
Stonington’s industries reflect a balance of tradition and adaptation, with the railroad playing a central role in both bulk freight and high-value shipments.
Fish Meal and Rendering Plant
The rendering plant processes fish scraps and byproducts into valuable fish meal and fish oil, serving agricultural and industrial markets. Salt is a critical input for preservation, arriving regularly by rail.
In the mid-20th century, Stonington’s waterfront wasn’t just bustling with sardine canneries—it was also home to a fish rendering plant that played a critical role in processing the byproducts of the fishing industry. During its operating season, typically from May to November, the plant worked tirelessly to turn herring remnants into valuable commodities.
The process involved cooking discarded fish parts, separating them into fish oil and fish meal. The oil found its way into products like rust-proof paints and industrial lubricants, while the fish meal was sold for use in animal feed, particularly for poultry. However, the rendering process came with a cost: the pervasive and unmistakable smell of cooked fish. On days when the plant was active, the odor would drift through Stonington, becoming an inescapable part of daily life.
While the plant provided jobs and supported the local economy, its presence highlighted the tension between industry and quality of life. The eventual decline of the sardine industry and closure of the rendering plant marked the end of an era, paving the way for Stonington to redefine itself while still honouring its working waterfront heritage. Today, echoes of that time remain, reminding residents of the town’s resilience and deep connection to the sea.
- Inbound Freight:
- Fuel oil in tank cars.
- Outbound Freight:
- Bulk fish meal in covered hoppers.
- Bagged fish meal in boxcars.
- Fish oil (in drums) in boxcars.
Sardine Cannery
The sardine cannery produces canned fish for national distribution. While most shipments move by truck in this era, the railroad handles large bulk loads and long-distance traffic. Occasional reefer shipments of high-value seafood, such as lobsters, bypass local processors entirely, heading directly to markets in Boston or New York.
- Inbound Freight:
- Tinplate for cans in boxcars.
- Cardboard and packaging in boxcars.
- Bulk salt in covered hoppers or bagged salt in boxcars.
- Bulk ingredients (like olive oil) in boxcars.
- Fuel oil in tank cars.
- Outbound Freight:
- Canned sardines in boxcars.
Oil Depot
The oil depot supplies Stonington and surrounding communities with essential fuels, supporting both residential and industrial needs.
- Inbound Freight:
- Gasoline, diesel fuel, and kerosene in tank cars.
- Bunker-grade fuel oil in tank cars for fishing vessels and industrial use.
Boatyard and Team Track
By the late 20th century, the boatyard caters primarily to lobster boats and an emerging market for pleasure craft. Occasionally, completed pleasure boats are shipped inland by rail. The adjacent team track doubles as a flexible spot for handling diverse railcar loads.
- Inbound Freight:
- General merchandise in boxcars for local businesses.
- Fiberglass, resins, and other materials in boxcars.
- Steel plates in gondolas for hull repairs.
- Lumber in flatcars for wooden boats or restorations.
- Machinery (like engines and winches) in boxcars.
- Outbound Freight:
- Completed pleasure craft, occasionally shipped on flatcars.
Pier
The pier serves as a hub for smaller shipments and high-value fresh seafood.
- Inbound Freight:
- Chandlery supplies for maritime trade in boxcars.
- Outbound Freight:
- Fresh lobsters and other seafood in reefers, destined for Boston or New York.
Paper Mill Traffic from Bucksport
Woodchip hoppers/gondolas, pulpwood bulkhead flats, and boxcars of paper from the St. Regis Paper Mill in Bucksport occasionally pass through Stonington, often as offspots or to simplify switching at Bucksport. These shipments add operational variety and showcase the railroad’s versatility in handling diverse cargo, including raw materials and finished products.
The Daily Rhythm
Each day, a Maine Central freight train wound its way down the rocky coastline, its Pine Green or Harvest Gold locomotives bringing life to the rails. The train set out from Bangor, carrying a mix of local deliveries, and inbound supplies At Stonington, the crew switches cars at the rendering plant, sardine cannery, oil depot, and pier.
Seasonal variations keep operations dynamic. Summer peaks see reefers of fresh lobsters packed for Boston and New York markets, while winter emphasizes heating oil deliveries. With its mix of traditional industries and evolving demands, Stonington is both a challenge and a joy for Maine Central’s crews.
A Romantic Slice of Coastal Railroading
The Stonington Extension captures the enduring connection between sea and rail, from the briny efficiency of the rendering plant to the artistry of handcrafted lobster boats. This alternate history celebrates the dynamic spirit of Maine’s coastal communities, where rails and waves converge to tell a story of resilience, ingenuity, and the timeless romance of railroading along New England’s rugged coast.
Track
Code | Description | Qty |
---|---|---|
SL-300F | Peco Streamline SL-300F N Gauge Wooden Sleeper Type Flexi Track – Single | 10 |
SL-310 | Peco Streamline SL-310 N Gauge Conducting Rail Joiners | 2 |
SL-311 | Peco Streamline SL-311 N Gauge Insulating Rail Joiners | 1 |
SL-E386F | Peco Streamline SL-E388F N Gauge Code 55 Large Radius Turnout Right-Hand | 1 |
SL-E388F | Peco Streamline SL-E388F N Gauge Code 55 Large Radius Turnout Right Hand | 1 |
SL-E397F | Peco Streamline SL-E397F N Gauge Code 55 Y Medium Radius Turnout | 3 |
SL-U395F | Peco Streamline SL-U395F N Gauge Code 55 Unifrog Medium Radius Right Hand Turnout | 1 |
SL-U396F | Peco Streamline SL-U396F N Gauge Code 55 Unifrog Medium Radius Left-Hand Turnout | 1 |
Buildings
- Walthers Cornerstone Part # 933-3815 City Water Tower – Kit – 2-3/8 x 2-3/8 x 7″ 6 x 6 x 17.7cm
- Walthers Cornerstone Part # 933-3200 Interstate Fuel & Oil – Kit
- Heilman II, Carl. The Coast of Maine. Rizzoli, 2009.