Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Maine Jonesport Maine Central Model Railroad

Maine Central Model Railroad

An elderly widow still operates the incredibly detailed model railroad she and her husband built by hand.

Jonesport, Maine

Added By
Ruben Stemple
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
The model railroad.   R Stemple / Atlas Obscura User
The model railroad.   R Stemple / Atlas Obscura User
The model railroad.   R Stemple / Atlas Obscura User
Road sign.   R Stemple / Atlas Obscura User
The model railroad.   R Stemple / Atlas Obscura User
Helen’s favorite spot up on the hill.   R Stemple / Atlas Obscura User
The model railroad.   R Stemple / Atlas Obscura User
The model railroad.   R Stemple / Atlas Obscura User
An author’s house in the corner.   R Stemple / Atlas Obscura User
The model railroad.   R Stemple / Atlas Obscura User
Outside the train building.   R Stemple / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Update as of November 2023: The model is being relocated to the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine.

In Jonesport, Maine, 83-year-old Helen Beal continues to operate the model railroad she and her husband built and assembled by hand.

Helen and her husband Harold (a.k.a. “Buz”) spent 20 years assembling the impressive HO Scale model railroad. Buz had loved trains all of his life, so he and his wife decided to expand upon his hobby. Piece by piece, they spent the cold winter months constructing houses, train depots, and miniatures of buildings they admired from collected photographs. They continued to install new features on the custom 900-square-foot raised platform next to their home until Buz passed away in 2012 at the age of 75.

Helen and Buz allowed visitors to their railroad, and even now Helen still smiles when she starts up the train for groups of tourists. In one corner of the room there are maps where Helen encourages visitors to put a pin in the country or town where they’re from. Visitors from all 50 states and many other countries have stopped by over the years.

The craftsmanship and the layout are beautiful. Modern high-rises blend with long-gone train depots and attentive visitors can even find a model of Stephen King’s house built from photographs provided by the author himself. Other features include tiny rafters enjoying a ride down a river, miniature cars both modern and antique parked in neighboring driveways, and Helen’s favorite spot, a secluded house on the hill in the far corner.

Helen is hopeful that a museum will want to take the railroad someday. It would be a beautiful addition to any collection.

Related Tags

Trains Models Love Miniatures Miniature Towns Toys Railroads Maps Houses Homes

Community Contributors

Added By

R Stemple

Edited By

timlambert

  • timlambert

Published

August 23, 2017

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://trolleymuseum.org/2023/01/09/model-railroad-building-update/
  • http://bangordailynews.com/2013/11/09/living/a-couples-labor-of-love-jonesport-widow-continues-to-operate-showcase-impressive-model-railroad/
Maine Central Model Railroad
674 Mason Bay Rd
Jonesport, Maine
United States
44.578079, -67.573005
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Maine Coast Sardine History Museum

Jonesport, Maine

miles away

Nellie Chapin Day Memorial

Jonesport, Maine

miles away

Wild Blueberry Land

Columbia Falls, Maine

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Jonesport

Jonesport

Maine

Places 3

Nearby Places

Maine Coast Sardine History Museum

Jonesport, Maine

miles away

Nellie Chapin Day Memorial

Jonesport, Maine

miles away

Wild Blueberry Land

Columbia Falls, Maine

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Jonesport

Jonesport

Maine

Places 3

Related Places

  • Note the steamboat in the center.

    Strasburg, Pennsylvania

    Choo Choo Barn

    This extraordinary model train layout covers over 1,700 square feet, with multiple trains running simultaneously.

  • The National Toy Train Museum

    Ronks, Pennsylvania

    The National Toy Train Museum

    A comprehensive collection of toy and model trains, largely from the mid-20th century.

  • Paris, France

    Association Française des Amis des Chemins de Fer

    A model train wonderland hidden beneath Gare de l'Est station.

  • Taylors, South Carolina

    Model Trains Station

    This delightful attraction features over a dozen miniature train layouts which you can operate and interact with.

  • Fun view of trains

    Crossville, Tennessee

    Crossville Model Railroad Club

    Explore the wide world of miniature trains.

  • A 2.5-inch scale model on display at Train Mountain.

    Chiloquin, Oregon

    Train Mountain Railroad

    All aboard the world's longest miniature railway.

  • The Grand Model of Russia

    Saint Petersburg, Russia

    Grand Maket Rossiya (Grand Model of Russia)

    A scale model of Russia so big visitors are offered binoculars to rent so they can see the whole thing.

  • The tiny house and garden.

    Valencia, Spain

    Cat House

    This house's itty bitty size means no humans allowed.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.