Maine author Bill Kenny will share from his new book, A History of Maine Railroads in an online presentation on Thursday, January 14, at 6:30 PM.

Maine is populated with intriguing characters who set in motion a fascinating, compelling story of railroads and the unique communities they helped to build. One of the first states to build railroads and trolleys in the United States, Maine at one point had more than ninety communities with trolleys. Standard-gauge and "two-footers" crossed the state, including the St. Lawrence & Atlantic, the Boston & Maine, the Maine Central, the Grand Trunk, and the Bangor and Aroostook. From an international electric trolley to the attempted World War I dynamiting of a railroad bridge between the United States and Canada, the state is home to a rich rail heritage. Join Bill Kenny as he takes you on a journey from the first tracks made of wood to today's high-speed Downeaster Amtrak train.

Bill Kenny, a former career Air Force officer and Gulf War Veteran, developed a life-long interest in trains from a very young age. From his first train ride at age 11 to his intensive planning and coordination of the movements by rail and ship of military equipment from the United States and Europe for Desert Shield/Desert Storm to the overseeing of railroad operations at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska and Loring Air Force Base in northern Maine to being involved in a global logistics career that planned and coordinated the movement of large equipment around the world by rail and shipping for major industrial companies, his many railroad experiences have provided a life-long interest, education and love of railroads and their history.

This will be an online event held via Zoom. Please register using the library's web calendar to receive the link to join. Everyone is welcome, but advance registration is required by calling the library at 374-5515 or signing up on the online calendar at www.bhpl.net.