Passengers cross Trout Brook. One of the longest-standing goals of the WW&F Museum for the roughly 30 years of its existence, came to fruition during the 2019 Fall Work Weekend, as a steam locomotive crossed Trout Brook, and arrived at the future station location adjacent to Route 218. At the completion of the work session, a members' "Inspection Train" went all the way to end-of-track, so everyone could get a final look at what had been accomplished. In this image, that train is seen crossing Trout Brook, as it made the return trip southbound to Sheepscot. On board are members of the Museum's Board, the work crew, and many other WW&F Team Members who supported the FWW at Sheepscot, dispatching trains, handling visitors and feeding the crews. In addition to carrying the first load of passengers across the bridge, this train also retrieved the Gantry Car "Elmer", making it the first "heavy" train to climb the mountain southbound. All previous "heavies" brought stone down the hill, but went uphill light.
There is still some work to be done on this section of the line. Ballasting and tamping will be done in the spring of 2020, and then a passing siding will be installed, along with some switches and a short, locomotive-sized turntable. The entire Mountain Extension will be placed in regular passenger service in 2021.
