Scale railroading is more than a hobby for us and for a four year period it was a daily routine
and a passion. The Madawaska Northern welcomed visitors on the Wednesday work and run day sessions. With the completion of
the railroad in 2009 and the end of the weekly work sessions, visits are now by request.
While this site is intended to respond to common questions, any specific inquiry or comment can
be sent to the owner at rnsjr2@juno.com.
A video of the Madawaska Northern can be found by searching "Backyard Railroads" and looking for "Journal
Inquirer, Archives" or going to the at the bottom of the page. From the video a number of questions have been asked on construction
techniques and on where to obtain equipment. Some of the answers can be found below and other will be answered as received.
HISTORY - The Madawaska Northern Railroad gets its name from a the Madawaska Company
which was responsible for building the Eagle Lake and West Branch Railroad. Since 1962, the owner has had a deep interest
in the little railroad which was constructed to move pulpwood from one watershed to another in order to reach the
mills in Millinocket.Transportation was accomplished in the winter months when the lakes were frozen to facilitate transportation
of the heavy equipment.
The Madawaska Northern Railroad was constructed throughout the 1970s and 1980s and essentially remained
unused until mid 2000s when Ron Bolden and the owner, Dick Symonds commenced a reconstruction project. The locomotive
and rolling stock were rebuilt from the trucks up. Then an ambitious project was undertaken to replace all the cross
ties - some 6,000 cross ties each requiring four screw. With that project completed in early 2008 the turntable forming a
"Y" with three storage tracks was completed with another 1,800 ccross ties.
The original rolling stock was scratch build by Henry DesJardins of Willington, Connecticut and sold to
Dick Symonds of Tolland, Connecticut, who at the time, was considering constructing a tram for the purpose of moving firewood
from the woods to the house. Instead of a tram, the railroad was born.
DESCRIPTION - The 7 1/4 gauge Madawaska Northern Railroad consists of an oval
track with a passing siding, a siding with a tressel and work station, and a turntable with five storage tracks. A "Y"
between the turntable and siding allow for changing direction of the train. The rolling stock includes: two gasoline powered locomotives,
a diesel style locomotive and an 0-6-0 switcher (relocated to Tenn.); a hand car: a flat car used as riding car for the engineer
and adults: a box car that serves as a riding car for the very young children; and two cabooses.
