PHILLIPS – Train lovers take note: the town of Phillips is hosting its first-ever Narrow-Gauge Rail Fair on Saturday, Oct. 16.
Phillips is home to the Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad, famously known as the SR&RLRR among railroad buffs, but this Fair will emphasize the miniature. Train modelers and model train dealers from all over New England will display narrow-gauge train set-ups, model rolling stock, engines, track, and other small-scale train artifacts and wares.
The Fair takes place from 9 am to 4 pm on Depot Street in the building once used as the SR&RLRR’s machine shop, now the town’s Community Center. Admission is free and food will be available for sale in the town’s old train depot, so those attending will have two railroads to experience – the life size and the miniature.
In conjunction with the Fair, the Phillips Historical Society, which has hundreds of old railroad photos and memorabilia, will be open all day. The SR&RLRR will be offering train rides on one of Maine’s few remaining narrow-gauge tracks. Ticketed passengers should be forewarned, however, that train robbers are rumored to be in the area and a train holdup could occur.
An added bonus is the Phillips’ Annual Scarecrow Reunion, also running that weekend, and the colors of Western Maine’s foliage.
The Rail Fair’s sponsor, The Downtown Phillips Revitalization Project, says the Oct. 16 Fair is the first of what they expect to be an annual event.
