Breakin’ Strings, Music on the Railway

Board the concert train at Sheepscot station for a steam-powered ride through the wild pine forests, farmlands and hamlets of the Sheepscot Valley to Alna Center where music, food, drink, and fun awaits.

We’ve invited some of the regions best-loved entertainers for afternoons filled with stories and song. Enjoy the onsite food and drink, or pack a snack for a memorable afternoon! After the music concludes the train will return you back to Sheepscot.

Ticket price includes the steam train ride, concert admission (general seating on benches, or bring your own chair) as well as parking at Sheepscot. Note that passengers requiring extra assistance may have difficulty navigating the platforms and stairs at Alna Center. Well-behaved dogs are allowed at the discretion of the Conductor.

Trains for Music on the Railway depart Sheepscot station (97 Cross Road, Alna) promptly at 2pm and return by 4:45pm.

Music on the Railway concerts are held rain or shine under the WW&F’s unique pavilion nestled in the trees at Alna Center.

We look forward to seeing you on the narrow gauge!

July 14th: Breakin’ Strings

Breakin’ Strings is a Nashville recording group based out of Maine and Vermont. The band consists of 5 members who play a cross between traditional bluegrass with some major jam-grass vibes.

Cliff Gelina, the leader and lead vocalist has been compared to the sounds of Chris Stapleton. Cody Howe has been compared to the guitar licks of Tony Rice. Sam Acus is a Mandolin protégé that rips his fretboard up at every show. They play every note they feel, and feel every note they play. This band brings so much dynamics with the sets they play and such great original tunes. Amanda Gelina plays bass and also sings lead and harmony. Steven Peterson plays banjo and also sings harmony as well.

Breakin’ Strings was an IBMA Showcase band in 2022. They have been featured in The Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine, The Bluegrass Standard, Nashville Voyager Magazine etc. They recorded their first album in Studio A in Blackbird Studios in Nashville, TN. Titled, “Hangovers & Heartaches” available everywhere online.  A Breakin’ Strings show is not a show to miss. Guaranteed at some point you will see them break a string. Breakin’ Strings brings a fun jam-packed flavor to bluegrass music with great instrumentals, Great vocals, great harmonies, and a hard drive Bluegrass sound. With that being said, when they play a ballad, you are frozen in your seat in awe. This band is dynamic!

Note: Be sure to get your tickets for Breakin’ Strings well in advance – we anticipate a sell-out crowd!

About Music on the Railway Concerts

Each Music on the Railway concert features a unique combination of Maine’s history, trains, and music. Guests depart promptly at 2:00pm from the WW&F Railway Museum (97 Cross Road, Alna, Maine) for a 10-15 minute jaunt on a historic narrow gauge steam train to another station on the line, Alna Center. Alna Center is a secluded spot which is not (generally) accessible by automobile but features a large event pavilion with bench seating under which the concert takes place. (Some passengers elect to bring their own lawn chairs.) The train then disappears into the distance leaving guests with the music and whatever other special surprises may be present (such as a food truck, lawn games in the adjacent field, etc.) Around time for intermission, the steam train chugs back into the station, which allows visitors to get up close to the locomotive if they so wish while the band takes a break to interact with the crowd. Once the concert concludes (usually around 4:30pm) the Conductor cries “All Aboard!” and everyone returns to the main museum campus where the displays, railroad yard and gift shop are typically still open for anyone who chooses to peruse them. Railroad buffs (or just those curious) are welcome to watch the crews as they turn the locomotive on the turntable, put the day’s railroad cars back into their homes, and “dump the fire”.

Caboose Adventure

Ride to the Music on the Railway concert in your very own caboose! Bring your family (or small group) for unique experience on the narrow gauge railroad. Your group (of up to 15 people) gets exclusive access to the “little red caboose” on the WW&F railway during the trip to and from the concert at Alna Center. And yes, you can ride “up top” in the cupola (although adults will need to watch their heads!) Cost is $265 (which includes admission to the concert and being seated completely separately from other passengers during the train ride.)

Weather and Cancellations

Each Music on the Railway Concert will run rain or shine – and is held under our spacious outdoor event pavilion (please dress accordingly.) If extreme weather is predicted, all passengers will be notified via email or phone, and given the option to reschedule or receive a full refund. Out of fairness to the dedicated musicians who make these concerts possible, tickets for this event are not refundable except in cases of extreme weather, or extraordinary extenuating circumstances.

Save with a Season Pass!

Save up to $16 with a 2024 concert season pass. Enjoy all four concerts for one low price. Both adult and youth options available. Select the 2024 Concert Series Adult/Youth pass at checkout. Note: the 2024 pass can not be combined with other offers and discounts.

Passes, Vouchers and Discounts

We will be pleased to honor passes redeemed as the base portion of the train fare for this Music on the Railway concert. Upon checkout, please select the appropriate discount for a Lifetime Pass, an Annual Pass, Alna Resident, or similar pass.