Aroostook Valley Railroad

AVR12 in 1989 -click   trainnet.org

  Arthur R. Gould arrived in Presque Isle in 1888 having left East Corinth where he was a very successful salesman.  Mr. Gould was a "doer" and now-a-days we'd call him a "shaker and mover" or a "wheeler dealer".  Presque Isle, at that time, had no bank so Mr. Gould would loan money to local businessmen and gained a lot of influence.
  In 1905 during a search for lumber in Washburn he realized the need for transportation in the area.  A problem arose because the was, yes really, a law on the books in Maine  named "an Act to provide aid to the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad".  The purpose, of course, was to stifle competition, Mr. Gould won out and the Railroad started to build.  The Railway opened in 1910.
  The AVR was an all-electric train at first using "trolley" kinds of cars, those cars would carry passengers and freight.  The power was carried on a "live wire" at 1200 volts from sub-station to sub-station; the electric trains went out of service in 1932.
  The Railroad grew and eventually Mr. Gould sold out to the Canadian Pacific Railroad for the handsome price of $225 per share - he made a significant amount.
  Mr. Arthur R. Gould went on to serve in both the Maine and U. S. Senates.  A man that saw a need and found a way to fill it.  For more reading on this subject: Http://presqueisle.mainememory.net

One of the electric cars.  Postcard on sale at Ebay.com

Trestle across the Aroostook River at Presque Isle.  mainememory.net

Shown in 2005, the railroad ceased operation shortly after.  railroad.net