Frankfort, Maine isn't exactly a well-known town unless you're into Revolutionary War history. Like many places along Maine's tidal rivers, it once was a hub for boat builders and lumbers traders alike. Ultimately, it was also a station stop along the Bangor and Aroostook's busy branch to Searsport. The route acted as a rolling pipeline for mills in Millinocket and East Millinocket for decades in better times. Chemicals and fuel have been the main online freight in the modern era, and it's rare to see a boxcar or anything other than tank cars touch rails South of the Hermon yard limits. A decade of changes followed the end of BAR as we knew it in 2003. 112 years of history was now finalized under a single entity. A period of uncertainty that included the rumors of regional rationalization or outright abandonment followed. Thankfully, neither became reality and now in 2020 of all years, the future is looking bright for Maine rails as a whole. In November of 2019, Canadian Pacific purchased the Central Maine & Quebec in its entirety, making CP the first ever Class one owner that would have direct access to Searsport. June 4, 2020 finalized CP's acquisition of CMQ. This now gives Canadian Pacific its own port of entry on the East coast versus it's agreement with New Brunswick Southern for access to Saint John, NB. Ultimately, either option can rival CN's Halifax lane, making the Northeast a hot destination for containers and even the potential for potash or more. The last day of Summer 2020 had CP's twice-weekly Searsport job heading for home rather early compared to usual. A welcomed Monday off gave me the chance to see them from my front yard as 2261 sounded off for MP 16 and West Hill with the solo GP20C-ECO in command. The golden glow of late afternoon was in full swing as we got a nice wave from the conductor this day.
