These Abandoned Locomotives Are Hiding Deep In The Woods Of Maine

Many states have something abandoned - a factory, an amusement park or even an entire town. But, Maine has something that's just a bit more unique and unlike any other state. Sitting quietly in the North Woods are a pair of locomotives that feel a bit forgotten. Here's the story of what they are and why they're there, along with directions for how to find them!

Getting to these strange, abandoned locomotives isn't easy.

They're located about two hours north of Millinocket, accessible primarily via rough and tumble logging roads.

In addition to navigating the logging roads, you need to check-in near Allagash and pay a fee to continue.

When the road ends, you'll need to walk about an hour to the locomotives.

But it's a beautiful walk!

You'll know you're close when you spot the train tracks in the middle of the forest.

You'll begin seeing more signs of the former locomotives, such as these wheels.

This is how logs were transferred back when this area was operational.

If you look closely, you can see the spikes that stuck into the wood to attach it to the wheel system.

In addition to the hidden locomotives, you'll also see the remains of an early 1900s steam engine system.

This was used to operate the system that moved the logs from Eagle Lake to Chamberlain Lake.

Continue on and you'll find the hulking pieces of metal, waiting to be discovered.

During the early 1900s, this area of Maine was supplying about 20% of the country's paper and wood products.

The rivers in the area were used to help transport the logs by acting as their own roadway.

The trains came in when lumber needed to move South into nearby towns.

Sadly, when the Great Depression hit the lumber business in Northern Maine was ruined - the trains were no longer needed, but the cost to remove them wasn't worth paying. So, they sit in the North Woods waiting for intrepid explorers to visit and remember an important part of Maine's history.

Thanks to Dylan Magaster for the fascinating photos and information included here. Check out the full video of his exploration below:

These trains aren't the only interesting abandoned spot in Maine. Check out this article on beautiful Swan Island in the Kennebec River.