GRAY – Donnie Carroll, who represented Gray in the Maine House of Representatives for 12 years in the 1980s and early ’90s, is now representing the town in a different matter: Negotiating the arrival of the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad into land adjacent to Gray Plaza.

Narrow Gauge officials along with representatives from the town and Gray Plaza will be in Gray on Friday, April 11, for a ceremonial deed transfer between the excursion railroad company and Central Maine Power. The deed conveys a narrow strip of land that CMP has owned along what was once the Interurban rail line paralleling Route 100 and stretching about a mile from downtown Gray south to Long Hill Road.

Carroll spoke with the Lakes Region Weekly after last week’s announcement that signaled a major step in relocating the Narrow Gauge Railroad from its longtime home in Portland to Gray.

Q: Can you provide more detail regarding the deed transfer from Central Maine Power Co. for the track? That was an important piece of the puzzle for bringing the Narrow Gauge to Gray, correct? You had to work with multiple property abutters as well?

A: The right of way allows us to operate trains. Yes, this is vital and the key element in moving the project forward. We could have a museum, but to operate trains is what will draw patrons. Much of the preliminary work had been done with the abutters. The Gray-New Gloucester Development Corporation and the town did yeomen work in reaching out to all the abutters. The drawback was agreeing on deed transfer language between the two parties, CMP and Maine Narrow Gauge.

Q: We’ve long heard reports that the Narrow Gauge Railroad was interested in coming to Gray, does this deed transfer mean it’s not a matter of if, but when? And with that said, when should people expect to hop aboard a Narrow Gauge rail car in Gray, not Portland?

A: Maine Narrow Gauge has been in Portland for over 20 years. The current location of our operation was sold last July. The process to “relocate” began in late 2009. The sale of the property in Portland added a sense of urgency. It became a matter of when. People will be able to hop on in Portland for a few years to come – we hope to maintain train service along our right of way there for as long as possible as the track lease with the state goes through 2023. Good news for the Portland area fans. We want to be in Gray in 2016. That said, we have an arduous, albeit exciting, task of raising the funds – possibly up to $6 million – to do the full build-out of the operation in Gray.

Q: Gray is home to one major tourist draw, the Maine Wildlife Park. What would adding the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad mean for the tourism-based economy of Gray?

A: Maine Narrow Gauge will enhance the wildlife park, and we believe they will enhance us. We cater to the same demographics – families. Our plan is to create collaboratives with area attractions that would benefit each other’s operation. As one person explained, it could offer people a “passport” that provides discounts when shown and stamped. We are positive we will help Gray become more of a destination. Our attendance has increased 25 percent over the past five years. The two attractions will help each other grow.

Q: Downtown Gray is pretty congested now. Do you see any infrastructure improvements coming along with this project? What else does the town need to do to prepare for this railroad coming to town?

A: I think the town has been remarkably cooperative and a pleasure to work with. There may need to be future infrastructure upgrades, but given the configuration of the various routes converging in the village that may be an issue to address in the future. There is limited ways to move the traffic patterns in the village, and we would be open to discussions. The town is working on economic development presently. Our arrival will surely enhance the potential for more development in the plaza, Route 100/26 corridor.

Q: When and why did you get involved with the Narrow Gauge group? Was it primarily to bring the railroad to Gray?

A: Candidly, I was out of work and applied for the position and was brought on as executive director in mid-October last year. My Dad worked for 28 years for Maine Central Railroad, and we grew up next door to the building that was the station for the Portland-Lewiston Interurban, so there is a wee bit of “railfan” in the genes. The relocation assignment is but one of many that faced me on my arrival. The first big task was Polar Express, now it is learning the process for seasonal operation. There is no doubt relocation has moved up the priority list for staff, Trustees and myself in recent weeks.

Q: You’re a longtime Gray resident. Do you have any connection to the Interurban?

A: I started life in South Portland. My parents saw the potential of a great community in Gray and moved us here in 1957. Not a native, but this is “the town I love so well.” The Interurban was a place my sister and three brothers played on when we were kids. The old station was our neighbors (the Taylor’s) house. It has a rich and fascinating history that in many ways mirrors the narrow gauge history. Also, I love history and as current chair of the board for our Historical Society I came to appreciate the Interurban in a new way.

Q: What will this mean to Gray’s reputation? Will this railroad put Gray on the map, so to speak?

A: The Maine Narrow Gauge will expand Gray’s location on the map. We will bolster the town’s position as a good place to do business, as a family attraction center, and of course the place to go between Thanksgiving and Christmas to ride the Polar Express.