The Cumberland & Knox Railroad, a subsidiary of Maine Switching Services, finalized its deal with the Maine Department of Transportation this week to operate the 56-mile Rockland Branch. In a press release issued Monday, the Unity, Maine-based short line operator stated that it would begin operations “immediately.”

Maine Switching Services was selected by Maine DOT earlier this year after the previous operator, Midcoast Railservice, ceased operations due to the loss of its largest freight customer. Since 1990, the scenic former Maine Central branch has had six different operators. 

“As a small business established in Maine, we are dedicated to supporting industrial and economic growth along the Rockland corridor,” said Maine Switching Service President Joe Feero.

According to Maine Switching Services, the short line had already secured a commitment from Dragon Cement to resume rail service from its facility in Thomaston. Dragon’s owners had previously planned to shut down that facility, but last year it was sold to a German company that is hoping to keep it open and utilize rail. Maine Switching Services stated that it also plans to speak with other customers along the route about putting their freight back on the rails. After Midcoast Railservice ceased operations, the remaining customers were forced to truck their materials to the CSX Transportation yard in South Portland. 

Maine Switching Service plans to start excursions along the route, although it has not provided any details on what that might entail. It has also shown interest in operating a connecting segment of state-owned track that runs from Brunswick to Augusta, the former MEC Lower Road. 

Maine Switching Services was founded in 2022 and operates the state-owned Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad and provides switching services at paper mills in Rumford and Skowhegan. —Justin Franz