The 33 miles of track of the B&MLRR was first laid with 56lb Welsh wrought iron "Pear" rail during its original construction between August, 1868 and December, 1870. This rail was all replaced within a few years, however, with heavier American rolled steel rail (first by 67lb, then 75lb to 85lb) by the Maine Central which operated the line under lease from 1871 to December 31, 1925, as the MEC's Belfast Branch. The original construction rail is branded "GUEST S.O.W." and came to Belfast by ship from Wales. This rare example, now in the collection of the photographer, was found along the B&ML grade near a bridge over Westcott Stream by Mack Page, a member of the fourth generation of his family to have worked on the B&ML, and the founder and owner of the City Point Central Railroad Museum.

Photographed by Bruce C. Cooper (DigitalImageServices.com), July 28, 2005.
Added to the photo archive by Bruce Cooper, July 29, 2005.
Railroad: Belfast & Moosehead Lake.

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