Monson history combines with World War I in Alna

ALNA — May 25-26 the Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum hosted the 103rd Infantry World War I reenactment group with volunteers from Maine and New Hampshire. Many of the original members of the 103rd “Yankee Division” Infantry were from the Piscataquis County, including one young soldier from Monson who was killed in action.

The Monson Narrow Gauge Railroad Engine #3 was in operation that day giving passengers rides on the 2.6 miles of track. When the railroad was disbanded in 1945 the engines were sold as scrap but luckily Engines #3 and #4 were saved and have operated in various locations since that time. Engine #4 is presently at the Sandy River Railroad in Phillips while #3 is at the Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Narrow Gauge Railroad awaiting repairs.

Roger Whitney, who has a second home in Abbot, was engineer for the day and is also the author of the book “The Monson Railroad: Maines Two Foot Narrow Gauge Railroad to the Slate Quarries.”

Contributed photo
MONSON NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD ENGINE — Monson Narrow Gauge Railroad Engine #3 was in operation for the 103rd Infantry World War I reenactment group last month at the Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum in Alna.