The Ghost Trains of the Allagash

Deep in the North Maine Woods, miles from the nearest paved road or town, two massive steam locomotives sit rusting in a clearing. They haven’t moved since 1933. Trees have grown up through their wheels, and the forest is slowly reclaiming the tracks they sit on.

These are the “Ghost Trains” of the Eagle Lake & West Branch Railroad—a surreal industrial relic in the middle of the wilderness and one of Maine’s most unique hiking destinations.

The History

In the 1920s, the Great Northern Paper Company needed a way to move thousands of cords of pulpwood from the Eagle Lake watershed to the Penobscot River for the drive down to their mills in Millinocket. The solution? A 13-mile railroad built in the middle of nowhere.

The two locomotives—Number 1 and Number 2—were hauled in pieces over frozen lakes and ice roads during the winter of 1926-27. For six years, they hauled massive loads of wood across the “Umbezookskus and Eagle Lake” tramway.

When the Depression hit and technology changed, the operation was abandoned. The trains were driven into a shed, the doors were locked, and the workers walked away. In the 1960s, the shed burned down, leaving the engines exposed to the elements. They have stood there ever since.

The Locomotives

Number 1: A 4-6-0 steam locomotive built by Schenectady Locomotive Works in 1897. It was originally a passenger train engine.
Number 2: A 2-8-0 consolidation type built by the Brooks Locomotive Works in 1901. It was primarily a freight hauler.

Both engines are massive, imposing beasts of iron that look startlingly out of place against the backdrop of spruce and fir trees. You can climb into the cabs, see the boilers, and walk along the remaining tracks which stretch out into the lake.

Getting There

Reaching the Ghost Trains is an adventure in itself. It requires driving on active logging roads and a short hike.

The Drive

Start: Millinocket is the usual jumping-off point.
Gate: You will need to pass through the North Maine Woods checkpoint (likely the Telos or Six Mile Gate). There is a fee for entry (cash or check only usually).
Route: Follow the Golden Road to the Telos Road. You are heading toward the Chamberlain Bridge area.
Parking: Drive past the Chamberlain Bridge ranger station. Look for a small parking area on the right, just a few miles past the bridge. There is often a small sign indicating the “Eagle Lake Tramway” or “Trains.”

Warning: These are active logging roads. Logging trucks have the right of way—always. Drive slowly, keep right, and yield. A spare tire (full size) is highly recommended.

The Hike

The trail to the trains is relatively short and flat but can be muddy.

Distance: Approximately 1.5 - 2 miles round trip.
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate.
Terrain: Forest path, some boggy sections (boards are often laid down).
The Reveal: The trail emerges from the woods right at the clearing where the locomotives sit near the shore of Eagle Lake.

Planning Your Trip

Best Time: Late May through October. The roads are snowed in during winter (accessible only by snowmobile).
Fees: North Maine Woods day use and camping fees apply.
Facilities: There are no facilities at the site. The nearest outhouses are at campsites along the Telos Road.
Connectivity: There is zero cell service. Download maps offline (Google Maps or Gaia GPS) before you leave Millinocket.
What to Bring:
- Bug spray (the black flies and mosquitoes can be ferocious).
- Sturdy shoes/boots.
- Camera.
- Water and snacks.
- A map (Maine Gazetteer or specialized logging road map).

Nearby

Since you’ve made the long drive, check out:

Allagash Wilderness Waterway: The trains sit on the shore of Eagle Lake, part of this legendary waterway.
Chesuncook Lake Village: A historic village accessible only by boat or a long logging road drive.
Mount Katahdin: You’ll see great views of the mountain from the Golden Road on your way in or out.

The Ghost Trains are a poignant reminder of Maine’s industrial past, frozen in time. Standing next to these iron giants in the silence of the deep woods is an experience you won’t forget.