Service with horse-drawn street cars began on 12 October 1863.

In 1864, an adjoining line was built along Preble Street from Monument Square and thence along Portland Street and Forest Avenue to Woodfords Corner.

Horse-drawn sleighs were substituted for rail cars when snow and ice covered the streets during winter months to avoid ice removal inconveniencing other horse-drawn sleighs.

[6] In the late 19th century, Portland was favored over Boston as the seaport terminus for the Grand Trunk Railway from Montreal.

[7] When the Maine Coast Special train to Montreal was withdrawn 1966, the station was abandoned.