Flag Stop: Alna Center. Alna Center Station Agent Stephen Piwowarski watches intently as the crew of a WW&F mixed brings their train to a halt at the flag stop in Alna Center. Locally-produced milk stands ready to be loaded aboard the Turner Centre Creamery's reefer car at the head end of the train. Scenes such as this were commonplace during the early part of the 20th century in rural Maine. Road systems were as yet undeveloped, and the early trucks of that era were not entirely reliable, especially in the harsh New England winters. Narrow gauge rail systems were sometimes the only solid link between the population centers on the Maine Coast, and the farmlands up country. Small flag-stop stations just like this one dotted these 24" gauge lines, and prospective passengers or locals with freight to ship would display the red flag to oncoming trains, signalling the need for a station stop. Note the Fireman in the cab of WW&F #9 facing his conductor on the platform of the coach. Train crews in this era conducted operations entirely with hand, lantern and whistle signals....a tradition that the WW&F Museum carries on to this day. Even on this March, 2016 Photo Excursion, no radios were used during the entire event.
