Interesting. So it sounds like this would follow the Downeaster route from Portland to just past Haverhill, then cut west to Lowell and southwest to Worchester. Presumably at that point it follows the former NEC "inland" route to Springfield and down to New Haven, where it joins the NEC into NYP.

You have to wonder if this will actually result in a significantly faster trip than doing the current BOS cross-town shuffle and catching a high-speed NER or Acela train there. Certainly the hassle factor would be much lower for people heading to/from Maine, and there's a lot to be said for that. At most I can see this being a once or twice-a-day NEC-extension such as those on the south end to Lynchburg, Newport News, or Norfolk, VA.

YES, PLEASE! I would love (and probably use WAY more often than necessary) a single-seat ride from Maine to somewhere other than Boston. Currently Maine and NH are on an Amtrak island. While we're dreaming, let's dream big and put a sleeper on this new service! :D

Downeaster train service adds stop in Kennebunk
 

http://www.pressherald.com/2014/10/2...-in-kennebunk/

This is a bit of a head scratcher... I don't see a stop in Kennebunk making much sense for people coming TO Kennebunk unless they can guarantee there is a trolley, shuttle, or something else waiting for passengers to take them to/from the downtown as soon as they get off. There is NOTHING near the train station that would be viable for tourists, and I believe the downtown area is a good half mile or possibly more from there.

That said, I think it would be convenient for locals wanting to travel North or South of Kennebunk.

Downeaster ridership, revenue down as track work forces cancellations

The train service will cancel more than 100 Portland-Boston runs this month alone because of a prolonged track rehabilitation project.

http://www.pressherald.com/2015/06/0...cancellations/

Nice article marking the Downeaster's 15th anniversary. Service started 15 years ago today.

Amtrak’s Downeaster at 15: More riders, more communities

Amtrak brings back 1955 dome rail car to Downeaster train

https://www.boston.com/news/local-ne...wneaster-train

Amtrak Downeaster set new ridership record in 2019
 

I mentioned on another site that it appeared as though there was more TV advertising in 2019 for the Downeaster here in Maine than there had been in previous years. I don't have any figures to back it up, but it sure felt as though I was seeing TV ads for it more frequently in 2019.