Downeaster update/changes
Sep 5, 2006, 10:18 pm
#16
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http://www.boston.com/news/local/mai...+--+Maine+news
Maine governor pushes for expanded passenger rail service
September 4, 2006
AUGUSTA, Maine --As ridership on Amtrak's Downeaster train increases and Maine's highways grow more congested, Gov. John Baldacci is ordering a plan for expanded passenger rail service to interior and coastal communities.
Baldacci's executive order, which he signed Friday and announced Monday, also calls for clearer economic development plans near train stations along the existing route of the Downeaster, which connects Boston's North Station and Portland, Maine.
Maine governor pushes for expanded passenger rail service
September 4, 2006
AUGUSTA, Maine --As ridership on Amtrak's Downeaster train increases and Maine's highways grow more congested, Gov. John Baldacci is ordering a plan for expanded passenger rail service to interior and coastal communities.
Baldacci's executive order, which he signed Friday and announced Monday, also calls for clearer economic development plans near train stations along the existing route of the Downeaster, which connects Boston's North Station and Portland, Maine.
Dec 17, 2006, 10:57 am
#17
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Amtrak's Downeaster celebrates fifth-year anniversary
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/...y_x.htm?csp=34
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — No one knew whether Amtrak's Downeaster would be a success when it departed Portland with its first passengers five years ago on a dark, rainy morning.
More than 1.4 million passengers later, the Downeaster is one of Amtrak's most successful trains with ridership growing 31% in the last fiscal year.
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — No one knew whether Amtrak's Downeaster would be a success when it departed Portland with its first passengers five years ago on a dark, rainy morning.
More than 1.4 million passengers later, the Downeaster is one of Amtrak's most successful trains with ridership growing 31% in the last fiscal year.
Dec 31, 2006, 4:42 pm
#18
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http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/ne...eriesday5.html
Patricia Quinn Douglas was never much interested in trains. She didn't even ride one until five years ago, at age 37.
Today, as executive director of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, she manages the Downeaster, the Amtrak service that runs between Portland and Boston.
...
The rail authority's relationships with bus companies and the private railroad company that owns the tracks have improved, and Douglas helped forge a deal that will lead to a fifth daily round trip next year.
Today, as executive director of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, she manages the Downeaster, the Amtrak service that runs between Portland and Boston.
...
The rail authority's relationships with bus companies and the private railroad company that owns the tracks have improved, and Douglas helped forge a deal that will lead to a fifth daily round trip next year.
Apr 8, 2007, 11:51 am
#19
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in other maine train news
On the day after the Maine Central Railroad completed its last run on the Mountain Division rail line in April 1958, the Maine Sunday Telegram summed it up like this:
"The Mountain Division was long famed for its picturesque route which wound through Crawford Notch and the White Mountains region. Many have claimed that the beauty of its views in the brightly foliaged fall was unsurpassed. Lack of business caused its demise."
It has been almost 50 years since the last passenger train made its way from the White Mountains into Portland, but a bill pending in the Legislature could be the first step in reviving rail travel in western Maine.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/ne...408trains.html
"The Mountain Division was long famed for its picturesque route which wound through Crawford Notch and the White Mountains region. Many have claimed that the beauty of its views in the brightly foliaged fall was unsurpassed. Lack of business caused its demise."
It has been almost 50 years since the last passenger train made its way from the White Mountains into Portland, but a bill pending in the Legislature could be the first step in reviving rail travel in western Maine.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/ne...408trains.html
Apr 17, 2007, 3:55 pm
#20
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Amtrak: Let Maine serve as model
Maine's Downeaster rail service offers a model that Amtrak hopes will be followed by other states, the head of the passenger rail service said Tuesday.
Alex Kummant, Amtrak's president and chief executive officer, said Maine's subsidy for rail service is critical to continuing passenger train service from Portland to Boston. Some other states also provide money to help cover the cost of train service, he said, and Amtrak wants to see state aid expand and supplement an annual federal subsidy of about $1.2 billion.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/bu...70411rail.html
Maine's Downeaster rail service offers a model that Amtrak hopes will be followed by other states, the head of the passenger rail service said Tuesday.
Alex Kummant, Amtrak's president and chief executive officer, said Maine's subsidy for rail service is critical to continuing passenger train service from Portland to Boston. Some other states also provide money to help cover the cost of train service, he said, and Amtrak wants to see state aid expand and supplement an annual federal subsidy of about $1.2 billion.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/bu...70411rail.html
Jul 25, 2007, 8:26 am
#21
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Downeaster to add new trains, cut time
Downeaster to add new trains, cut time
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20...neaster_trains
The Downeaster will add a fifth daily round trip on the line beginning Aug. 17. The addition of a fifth trip had been anticipated following the completion of a $6 million track construction project that has been under way since last fall.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20...neaster_trains
The Downeaster will add a fifth daily round trip on the line beginning Aug. 17. The addition of a fifth trip had been anticipated following the completion of a $6 million track construction project that has been under way since last fall.
Dec 17, 2007, 2:29 pm
#22
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Downeaster subsidy running low
Downeaster subsidy running low
The rail authority will ask the state for money, but bridge and road repairs also need to be funded.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/st...55556&ac=PHnws
As Amtrak's Downeaster marks its sixth anniversary, the rail authority that runs the Portland-to-Boston service is preparing to lobby for state funding to keep the trains running beyond June 2009.
The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority is seeking an annual appropriation of $7 million to $8 million to replace an expiring federal subsidy, which now accounts for nearly half of the Downeaster's annual $13 million operating budget. Without the state funding, or some other funding source, the service won't be able to continue.
Patricia Quinn, the authority's executive director, said the Downeaster has proven itself with a 30 percent increase in ridership since it started.
The rail authority will ask the state for money, but bridge and road repairs also need to be funded.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/st...55556&ac=PHnws
As Amtrak's Downeaster marks its sixth anniversary, the rail authority that runs the Portland-to-Boston service is preparing to lobby for state funding to keep the trains running beyond June 2009.
The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority is seeking an annual appropriation of $7 million to $8 million to replace an expiring federal subsidy, which now accounts for nearly half of the Downeaster's annual $13 million operating budget. Without the state funding, or some other funding source, the service won't be able to continue.
Patricia Quinn, the authority's executive director, said the Downeaster has proven itself with a 30 percent increase in ridership since it started.
Jul 22, 2008, 10:01 am
#23
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Amtrak's Downeaster posts 28 percent ridership gain
PORTLAND, Maine — Soaring gas prices played a role in a 28% gain in ridership for Amtrak's Downeaster during the latest fiscal year, and operators of the Portland-to-Boston service are looking at options to accommodate future growth, officials said Monday.
More here:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/...er_N.htm?imw=Y
More here:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/...er_N.htm?imw=Y
Nov 8, 2008, 5:12 pm
#24
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Aboard the camaraderie express
Aboard the camaraderie express
Downeaster to Maine is fastest-growing rail route
The Downeaster between Boston and Portland, America's fastest-growing intercity train route, is part neighborhood bar, part rolling office park.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/art...derie_express/
Downeaster to Maine is fastest-growing rail route
The Downeaster between Boston and Portland, America's fastest-growing intercity train route, is part neighborhood bar, part rolling office park.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/art...derie_express/
Apr 20, 2009, 1:15 pm
#25
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Advocates eye funds for faster Downeaster
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/st...51331&ac=PHnws
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/st...51331&ac=PHnws
The Boston-Portland corridor was one of 10 listed nationally as being eligible for the funding, which is part of the $787 billion economic stimulus package.
The federal government will begin awarding money for projects by the end of this summer based on a competitive application process, said Patricia Quinn, executive director of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, which operates the Downeaster service.
She said officials in Maine and Massachusetts will work together, along with Pan Am Railways, which owns much of the rail right of way, to develop an investment plan that speeds up the train service.
The federal government will begin awarding money for projects by the end of this summer based on a competitive application process, said Patricia Quinn, executive director of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, which operates the Downeaster service.
She said officials in Maine and Massachusetts will work together, along with Pan Am Railways, which owns much of the rail right of way, to develop an investment plan that speeds up the train service.
Apr 21, 2009, 11:05 am
#26
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While having a faster train is a good thing, I can tell you from using the Downeaster to commute for the last year, most delays come from MBTA traffic, PanAm traffic, and Switch/Signal problems (which predictably fail with every thunderstorm). Then track work, and occational mechanical issues with the P42s.
The money might be better spent to upgrade the whole route to dual-trackage, and fix the switcher/signals so they work in the rain. Then the expansion to Brunswick, or further (connecting with the tourist train to Rockland).
The money might be better spent to upgrade the whole route to dual-trackage, and fix the switcher/signals so they work in the rain. Then the expansion to Brunswick, or further (connecting with the tourist train to Rockland).
Apr 21, 2009, 2:05 pm
#27
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While having a faster train is a good thing, I can tell you from using the Downeaster to commute for the last year, most delays come from MBTA traffic, PanAm traffic, and Switch/Signal problems (which predictably fail with every thunderstorm). Then track work, and occational mechanical issues with the P42s.
The money might be better spent to upgrade the whole route to dual-trackage, and fix the switcher/signals so they work in the rain.
The money might be better spent to upgrade the whole route to dual-trackage, and fix the switcher/signals so they work in the rain.
Apr 21, 2009, 9:22 pm
#28
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I think those are all part of what it takes to achieve a "faster" train. I'd imagine upgrades to all of the items you mentioned (especially signals and sidings) are part of the proposal. For passenger trains, overall speed has more to do with the tracks and signals then it does with the actual rolling stock.
Speeds higher than 110 MPH would need new rolling stock, but we're a long ways away from even considering that. We probably not only need new track for that, we'd need a whole new right of way for the tracks to get above 110 MPH.
Apr 22, 2009, 8:08 am
#29
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The difference now, to 70 years ago, is the Yankee probobly had a tiny fraction of the grade crossings.
Dec 14, 2009, 11:27 am
#30
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looks like the downeaster made an xmas list for santa...
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Downeaster hopes to tap stimulus money
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/st...02366&ac=PHnws
Officials hope to get up to $39 million in stimulus funds to expand the route to Freeport and Brunswick.
"It seems like a slam dunk to me. But I'm in Portland, Maine, not Washington, D.C. So we're keeping our fingers crossed," said Patricia Quinn, the rail authority's executive director.
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Downeaster hopes to tap stimulus money
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/st...02366&ac=PHnws
Officials hope to get up to $39 million in stimulus funds to expand the route to Freeport and Brunswick.
"It seems like a slam dunk to me. But I'm in Portland, Maine, not Washington, D.C. So we're keeping our fingers crossed," said Patricia Quinn, the rail authority's executive director.