Pusher service. A young WW&F Brakeman watches from his post near the back platform of the last coach as WW&F #9 provides pusher service for his heavy mixed train on the northbound run to Albion. For these first few miles out of Wiscasset, the grades are steep and the little Forney on the point would have trouble with this long train. For now, our young Brakeman has little to do, but once his train is safely past all of the steep grades at about MP 6.4, he's got an important function to perform. With the train on the flat stretch just past Alna Center Station, our Brakeman will signal the Engineman on Helper #9 and lift the locking pin the coach's rear coupler. With the pusher no longer needed, #9's Engineman will come off the throttle and his engine will roll to a stop while the train continues its journey north. Having completed this "flying cut-off", the helper engine will return to the yard in Wiscasset.
