Plenty come aboard for Oakfield Rail Fan Day

OAKFIELD, Maine — No tickets were punched, but the Oakfield Railroad Museum still managed to transport plenty of “passengers” back into local railroad history with their annual Rail Fan Day Saturday.
“It is a fundraiser for us,” explained museum volunteer Don Marley. “But it’s really more of a community get-together.”
    One weekend each summer, the museum plans special activities to showcase its 100-year-old train station and their treasure-trove of local railroad memorabilia. This year was no exception. Station Street visitors got the chance to tour a caboose, wander through the station and back in time with various displays. The day, which also included various events like an auction and activities for kids, wrapped up with supper at the Oakfield Community Center.
“It’s just a fun day for retirees and for the community,” added Marley.
For Mary Prince Elliot of Orrington the day is a chance to re-connect with her roots. She grew up next to the station and comes back every summer.
“My grandfather, an engineer for the railroad, is over there, and my father, who was station master here for 20 years, is over there,” she says with a smile, motioning to pictures posted around the museum.
Connie Bartlett, treasurer for the museum since 2006, said she likes being part of the museum because it’s one way to preserve an important piece of the area’s past.
“My heart is in Oakfield,” she said. “And I love to see things preserved and not torn down.”
The museum is preserving not only local artifacts, but also memories. Many of those who attend Rail Fan Days are railroad retirees, and the event gives them a chance to reminisce about an industry that powered Aroostook County to prosperity for decades.
Wayne Lunn of Mars Hill, who logged 35 years working for the railroad, was one of those attending the Saturday supper.
“I get involved in this because I still like railroading,” he confesses. “I worked as a machine operator and did other jobs over the years and just really enjoyed it.”
Both Winfield Lowery of Houlton, who worked on the railroad for 25 years, and Oakfield’s Robert Pratt, who spent 43 years as a signalman, agreed that the event offers the chance to share both a meal and memories.
“I like coming for the food and just to catch up with everybody,” added Pratt.
Donald Morton, who retired after 42 years with the railroad working mostly in the Presque Isle and Masardis areas, echoed those thoughts.
“I just like the get together and the talking,” he said. “Everyone here has good fellowship.”
Throughout the summer, the Oakfield Railroad Museum is open Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 1 to 4 p.m. or by appointment. For more information, visit www.oakfieldmuseum.org or call 757-8575.