Westbrook had one of the first electric locomotives in the state. This photo on the left was taken around 1882, and shows this locomotive that was equipped with two 6-horsepower motors. It hauled one freight car at a time from the Westbrook Railway Station through Mechanic Street, across Main Street on tracks that ran between 901 Main St. (Armory Apartments) and 907 Main St. The tracks crossed over the Presumpscot River on a bridge to the Westbrook Manufacturing Co. on Bridge Street at Dana Court. (One Riverfront Plaza now occupies the site of the Westbrook Manufacturing Co.) The Railroad Bridge was destroyed by a flood in 1896 and never rebuilt. The Westbrook Manufacturing Co. went out of business that same year because of the same flood. All traces of the railroad are long gone, though 901 and 907 Main Street are still standing.
Photo courtesy of Mike Sanphy
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