By Justin Franz

The Maine Department of Transportation announced on January 9, that Maine Switching Services had been selected as the new operator of the state-owned Rockland Branch between Brunswick and Rockland, Me. 

Maine Switching Services is based in Unity, Maine, and is involved with the operation of the former Belfast & Moosehead Lake, also owned by the state. Maine Switching Service also provides switching at two paper mills in Rumford and Skowhegan, along with rail car repair in Unity on the former B&ML. 

“We believe Maine Switching Services has the experience necessary to provide high-quality freight service for customers on the Rockland Branch Railroad,” said MaineDOT Commissioner Bruce Van Note in a press release. “We look forward to growing our partnership with MSS as we work together to overcome the challenges created by the closure of the major freight shipper on the line, Dragon Cement in 2024.”

The closure of Dragon is what forced the previous operator, Finger Lakes Railway subsidiary Midcoast Railservice, to throw in the towel in 2024 after just two years. Since 1990, there have been six different operators of the 56-mile line between Brunswick and Rockland. 

Maine Switching Services is set to begin formal contract negotiations with the state over the next two months while also securing approval from the U.S. Surface Transportation Board to take control of the line. Maine Switching Services plans on beginning freight service in the spring and excursion service in the fall. It does not plan to provide host railroad services to Amtrak’s proposed Downeaster extension to Rockland.