I was at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport last weekend and had an interesting thought.
To some the word “interesting” doesn’t always mean good, so take this as you will.
The Atlantic Shore Line was an electric trolley line that provided passenger and freight service throughout York County. It was the mode of transportation for many – in 1907 it carried nearly 5 million passengers, according to the museum’s web site, www.trolleymuseum.org.
The line started across the street from what is now Kennebunkport Historical Society and connected to other York County towns south and as far north as Biddeford.
Four miles of Atlantic Shore Line exist from Kennebunkport to Biddeford and the museum has a demonstration railway on 2 miles of the right of way.
What if racino developers laid the rest of the line to Biddeford and found a way to connect it to the racino on Route 111?
It would cost $1 million per mile of track to lay and it’s 3 miles from where there is currently a track. The right of way already exists to Route 1 in Biddeford. Engineers would then have to design a plan to get it over to Route 111.
I obviously don’t know how feasible the rest of it is, but it’s a thought.
If Maine voters accept the racino there are going to be Biddeford residents who want developers to complete some good faith projects.
While I don’t think developers need to make such niceties – bringing jobs to our community is enough, thank you – this could be an option.
Kennebunkport Historical Society is close enough to Dock Square that tourists throughout the year could use the line to travel to Biddeford. Maybe after several years Kennebunkport would become more of a year-round community, which would benefit all.
Biddeford Downs could provide incentives to ride the trolley such as vouchers or coupons. Visitors could also ride to Biddeford Crossing. Maybe the influx of people could sustain businesses there and attract others. Outlets perhaps. Outlets may want to locate there to attract Kennebunkport shoppers and vice versa.
Visitors throughout summer, fall and part of winter ride antique trolleys the 2-mile loop as part of the museum experience. The smell of the antique trolleys and old era advertisements that line some of the cars seem to bring back memories. Not quite my own, but somehow familiar.
Perhaps visitors could ride the line simply for nostalgic reasons.
Trolley museum volunteers and its board may not like this idea. That’s fine, though, because they had nothing to do with the thoughts printed here.

In other news, on Main Street in Biddeford there is going to be a place for parents to see their children who are only allowed to do so under court-ordered supervision.
It may not be what downtown supporters envision when they think about filling up unoccupied storefronts, but who cares – it’s business.
I hear there will be cameras in every room to ensure proper conduct by all parties. I never knew such a place could exist anywhere. I thought someone went to the home to supervise visits. This incoming business, however, seem it would make the process more efficient.

– Molly Lovell