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Downeaster (train)

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Downeaster
Downeaster at the West Medford station, January 2024
Overview
Service typeInter-city rail
LocaleNew England
First serviceDecember 15, 2001
Current operator(s)Amtrak in partnership with NNEPRA
Annual ridership542,639 (FY23) Increase 22.0%[a][1]
Websiteamtrakdowneaster.com
Route
TerminiBoston North, Massachusetts
Brunswick, Maine
Stops12
Distance travelled145 miles (233 km)
Average journey time3 hours, 20 minutes[2]
Service frequencyFive daily round trips
Train number(s)679–699
On-board services
Class(es)Coach Class
Business Class
Disabled accessAll cars, all stations
Catering facilitiesCafé
Baggage facilitiesOverhead racks
Technical
Rolling stockAmfleet cars
GE Genesis locomotives
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Operating speed44 mph (71 km/h) (avg.)
79 mph (127 km/h) (top)
Track owner(s)MBTA, CSX
Route map
Legend
Rockland Branch
MEC Lower Road
145 mi
233 km
 Brunswick
136 mi
219 km
 Freeport
116 mi
187 km
 Portland
104 mi
167 km
Old Orchard Beach
Summer only
100 mi
161 km
 Saco
84 mi
135 km
 Wells
ME
NH
68 mi
109 km
 Dover
62 mi
100 km
 Durham–UNH
51 mi
82 km
 Exeter
NH
MA
34 mi
55 km
 Haverhill MBTA Commuter Rail
Haverhill Line
Wildcat Branch
Lowell Line
13 mi
21 km
 Woburn MBTA Commuter Rail
0 mi
0 km
 Boston North MBTA Commuter Rail
This diagram:

The Downeaster is a 145-mile (233 km) passenger train service operated by Amtrak and managed by the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA), an agency of the state of Maine. Named for the Down East region of Maine, the train operates five daily round trips between North Station in Boston, Massachusetts, and Brunswick, Maine, with ten intermediate stops.

In fiscal 2024, the Downeaster carried 598,426 passengers, up 27.0% from the previous year.[3] In 2024, the train earned ticket revenue of 13,051,548 up from 10,420,681 the year prior, for a farebox recovery of 50%.

History

[edit]

Previous service

[edit]

The Downeaster follows the route historically used by the Pine Tree and Flying Yankee trains that traveled from Bangor to Boston and were operated jointly by the Boston & Maine Railroad and Maine Central Railroad. Passenger operations between Portland and Boston ceased in 1965.

Service resumption

[edit]
A Downeaster train travelling through Scarborough Marsh in 2002

In 1989, a group of volunteers founded TrainRiders/Northeast, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing modern passenger rail service to Northern New England.[4]

In 1990, at the urging of Maine's congressional delegation, Amtrak estimated the cost of creating passenger rail service at about $50 million: $30 million for infrastructure improvements and another $20 million for equipment.

The following year, Amtrak agreed to provide the equipment at no charge to the State of Maine. Earlier in that same year, the Maine Legislature adopted its first citizen-initiated bill, the "Passenger Rail Service Act", which was endorsed by the Maine DOT and signed by the governor. In 1992, Maine voters approved a $5.4 million rail bond for right-of-way improvements, and $60,000 was granted to the Maine DOT to design a Portland intermodal terminal. Later that year, Congress approved $25.5 million for more right-of-way improvements, and 1993 saw an additional $9.5 million in track improvements. By the end of 1994, total appropriations for infrastructure had reached $38.6 million.

In 1995, Governor Angus King and Commissioner of Transportation John Melrose ordered the creation of a passenger rail authority. TrainRiders/Northeast, led by Chairman Wayne Davis,[5] worked with the state Chamber of Commerce and industry, Maine DOT, and others to convince the legislature to create the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority in August.[6]

Service was initially expected to start in the 1990s. Negotiations between NNEPRA, Amtrak, and Guilford Industries (now Pan Am Railways) began in 1996, but began to fail over many factors, including equipment weight and speed limits. In December 1998, a speed limit of 80 miles per hour (130 km/h) was agreed upon; the following year, the Federal Surface Transportation Board approved a limit of 79 miles per hour (127 km/h). Most right-of-way improvements were complete in 2000, but the following year, start-up was delayed again when Guilford refused to allow Amtrak to test track modulus or run trains faster than 59 miles per hour (95 km/h).[6] The Downeaster made its first run on December 15, 2001.[7]

Service improvements

[edit]

In August 2007, top speeds were increased from 60 miles per hour (97 km/h) to 79 miles per hour (127 km/h), cutting 20 minutes from trips between Portland and Boston. The first expansion of Downeaster service came that month, when the improvements made it possible to increase from four to five daily round trips from Portland to Boston.[6] Amtrak plans to eventually add one or two round trips between Portland and Boston, bringing the daily total to six or seven.[8] In 2009, NNEPRA unsuccessfully applied for federal stimulus money to increase train speeds—enough to cut 10 to 12 minutes off travel time—and increase the number of daily round trips from five to seven.[9]

In 2011, the Downeaster became the first Amtrak train to offer free Wi-Fi service and e-ticketing.[10]

In May 2014, NNEPRA agreed to add a station stop in Kennebunk, Maine.[11] Like Old Orchard Beach, it would have been a seasonal stop, open from April to October. Initial plans called for a temporary platform to be erected in 2016, with a permanent platform constructed with $300,000 in town money and $800,000 in state money for 2017 or 2018.[12] Part of the former Boston & Maine depot building, used for passenger service from 1873 to 1965, was to be leased for use as a waiting area.[13][14]: 95  On October 9, 2018, the Kennebunk Board of Selectmen cancelled the station project over concerns about the suitability of the site.[15] In November 2021 it was announced a stop in Kennebunk was back on the table, although not likely a priority ahead of other expansions and improvements.[16]

In 2019, NNEPRA officials began looking into moving the Portland station. The Portland Transportation Center is on a branch line, which adds 15 minutes to travel time for trains to or from Brunswick. Other concerns with the current station include limited parking and its location on Thompson's Point. A new location could put the station on the main line, move it closer to downtown, and improve vehicular and pedestrian access.[17] In 2021, a MaineDOT study endorsed moving the station to a location near the original location of Portland's Union Station.[18]

NNERPA plans to extend an existing 2-mile (3.2 km) siding in Wells by 6 miles (9.7 km), which will allow an additional daily Brunswick-Wells round trip. Wells station will get a second platform and a footbridge. In February 2020, NNERPA was awarded a $16.9 million federal grant for the project.[19]

In July 2019, local officials proposed an infill station in West Falmouth next to a Maine Turnpike exit.[20]

High-speed rail

[edit]

In October 2000, the Federal Railroad Administration designated a route from Boston to Portland and Auburn as one component of the Northern New England Corridor, a proposed high-speed rail project.[21]

Brunswick extension

[edit]
A Downeaster special train at Brunswick Maine Street Station in June 2012, five months before the start of service

Service to Brunswick was originally intended to begin within five years of the Downeaster's 2001 launch, but was delayed by lack of funding and other obstacles. Ground was broken in October 2008 for the Brunswick Maine Street Station, a retail development that included shops, condominiums, an inn, and office space. In January 2010, NNEPRA received a $35 million grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for track and signal upgrades for the Portland-Brunswick line.[22] Pan Am Railways began work on the line in summer 2010, and on May 14, 2012, the platforms in Brunswick and Freeport were declared complete.[23] Service began on November 1, 2012, with two daily services to and from Boston.[24]

The maintenance facility under construction in July 2016

The extension to Brunswick led to the construction of an enclosed layover facility there, just west of the station; trains had been stored outdoors in Portland. The facility opened in November 2016, permitting a third daily Brunswick–Boston trip.[8][25] NNEPRA announced plans for the facility in 2013, with construction slated to run from summer 2013 until late 2014,[26] but local opposition delayed the project. Neighbors of the planned location demanded further environmental studies, saying they believe the facility would hurt nearby areas.[27] State politicians became involved; Governor Paul LePage, concerned about job creation at Brunswick Landing, suggested alternate locations in eastern Brunswick.[28] Several Democratic state legislators asked NNEPRA to build in an existing rail yard in South Portland, and to focus on the "core product" of Boston-Portland service instead.[29] Legal challenges to the facility ended in January 2016.[30]

In 2017 and 2018, NNEPRA constructed a 4-mile (6 km) passing track, the Royal Junction siding, on the 30-mile (48 km) single-track section of line between Portland and Brunswick to enable an increase from three to five daily round trips to Brunswick.[31] The increase to five weekday round trips between Boston and Brunswick (with four Brunswick round trips and one Portland round trip on weekends) took place on November 12, 2018.[32][33] All five weekend round trips began running to Brunswick on May 20, 2019.[34]

2015 winter and track work

[edit]

The Downeaster's ridership, finances, and performance suffered in the first half of 2015 because of an exceptionally brutal winter and a subsequent large-scale tie replacement project funded by the NNEPRA. During its fiscal year 2015 (July 2014 to June 2015), Amtrak cancelled 488, or 13 percent, of its scheduled Downeaster trains. The trains that ran saw an on-time percentage of 30%, less than half the national average of 71%; during the tie replacement, none ran on time in May and 8% in June. Ridership dropped 18.2% (nearly 100,000 fewer riders) from the previous fiscal year.[35]

The Downeaster resumed its full schedule on August 1, 2015, following the completion of the track repairs.[35] By December 2015, the Downeaster was up to a monthly on-time percentage of 86%, well above the national average.[36]

2020s

[edit]

In April 2020, the Downeaster was suspended as part of Amtrak service reductions during the COVID-19 pandemic.[37] A single round trip resumed between Boston and Brunswick on June 15, 2020.[38] Service was increased to four daily round trips in July 2020; the full five round trips resumed on May 3, 2021.[39]

On June 24–27, 2021, Downeaster trains stopped at Falmouth Country Club to serve attendees of the Live and Work in Maine Open.[40]

Design work for positive train control (PTC) over the section of the route between Haverhill and Brunswick was completed in March 2023. (The Boston–Haverhill section had PTC installed by the MBTA several years earlier.) In November 2023, Amtrak and CSX reached a construction agreement under which Amtrak will contribute over $50 million and CSX will perform the work. As of June 2024, the PTC installation is expected to be complete in 2026.[41]

Operation

[edit]

Equipment

[edit]
A typical Downeaster consists of 4 coaches, a business/café car and a Non-Powered Control Unit, drawn by a GE Genesis P42

Most Downeaster trains consist of five cars hauled by a locomotive.[42]

The passenger cars are the Amfleet I series passenger cars built by the Budd Company in the mid-to-late 1970s. Most trains include an Amfleet club car which has a combination of Business Class seating with a Café (food service/lounge) and four Coach Class cars. Trains are pulled or pushed on the northbound end of the train by a GE Genesis diesel locomotive at speeds up to 79 mph (127 km/h). A second GE Genesis or a Non-Powered Control Unit (a former EMD F40PH locomotive converted into a control car) runs on the southbound end of the train.[42]

In the coming years all equipment will be replaced with Amtrak Airo trainsets, the railroad's branding of its combination of Siemens Venture passenger cars and a Siemens Charger diesel-electric locomotive.[43] The trainsets for the Downeaster will have six passenger cars, which will include a food service area and a mix of 2x2 Coach Class and 2x1 Business Class seating.[44]

Classes of service

[edit]

All classes of service include complimentary WiFi, an electric outlet (120 V, 60 Hz AC) at each seat, reading lamps, fold-out tray tables. Reservations are required on all trains, tickets may be purchased online, from an agent at some stations, a ticketing machine at most stations, or, at a higher cost, from the conductor on the train.[45]

  • Coach Class: 2x2 seating. Passengers self-select seats on a first-come, first-served basis.[46]
  • Business Class: 2x1 seating with more legroom than coach. Passengers receive complimentary soft drinks. Passengers self-select seats on a first-come, first-served basis.

Some Downeaster trains carry volunteers, coordinated by Trainriders Northeast, to inform passengers about destinations, attractions, and transfers.[47]

Ridership and finances

[edit]

Between December 2001 through 2005, annual ridership ranged from 250,000 to 300,000 passengers. In fiscal year 2011, ridership topped 500,000 for the first time.[48][49] Ridership dropped sharply due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but was back up to 516,723 in fiscal year 2023.[50] Ridership was 598,426 in fiscal year 2024 – 4% higher than the previous record in 2019.[51]

The line's busiest station is North Station in Boston. Due in part to the route's success, North Station was the 23rd busiest Amtrak station in the country in fiscal year 2018, and the fifth busiest in New England (behind South Station, Providence, New Haven Union and Back Bay).[52] The busiest station in Maine is the Portland Transportation Center, while Exeter is New Hampshire's busiest.[52]

As of 2013, operational costs were around $15 million annually,[53] $5.6 million of which is covered by Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding,[54] $8.1 million in revenues, and $1.8 million in operating subsidy from the State of Maine.[53] 58% of the overall ridership travels to or from the state of Maine.[55]

Economic impact

[edit]

A 2008 study by the Chicago-based Center for Neighborhood Technology suggested that the Brunswick extension, combined with commercial developments along the "Downeaster Corridor", could generate several billion dollars in construction investments plus $55 million annually in tax revenue for the state of Maine.[56]

In 2013, the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority estimated that the Downeaster has an annual economic impact of $12 million from visitors to Maine, and directly or indirectly employs 200 people.[57]

Route

[edit]
Amtrak Downeaster

The Downeaster uses the MBTA's Lowell Line from Boston's North Station to Wilmington, the Wildcat Branch to Wilmington Junction, and the Haverhill Line to the Massachusetts–New Hampshire state line. From there to just short of Brunswick, it uses CSX Transportation's former Pan Am Railways Freight Main Line. The last mile of track in Brunswick is owned by MaineDOT.[58] Lines south of Portland were once part of the Boston and Maine Railroad; the part south of Wilmington Junction was once the mainline and a branch of the Boston and Lowell Railroad, and the rest was the mainline of the B&M. The line north of Portland to Brunswick was once part of the Maine Central Railroad.

If the Downeaster were to run solely on the Haverhill Line, it would conflict with the local commuter rail service on a largely single-tracked rail line, since the Amtrak train makes no stops between Woburn and Haverhill. By using the Wildcat Branch to cross between the Lowell and Haverhill lines, the Downeaster can pass a Haverhill train. [citation needed]

Passengers are generally prohibited from purchasing Downeaster tickets to ride between Woburn and Boston, a route served by MBTA commuter trains; this keeps seats free for longer-distance passengers. This restriction is lifted during MBTA service disruptions on the Lowell or Haverhill lines.

The Downeaster is separated from the rest of Amtrak's system because there is no direct link between Boston's train stations.[59] Downeaster passengers continuing from Boston can ride six stops on the MBTA Orange Line to Amtrak's Back Bay station, where they can make connections to Amtrak's Northeast Corridor services to New York and points south, as well as the Lakeshore Limited to Chicago.

A proposed connection is strongly supported by U.S. Senator Ed Markey,[60] former Massachusetts governor Michael Dukakis, and others who are pushing for the connection so the diesel engines that currently haul the Downeaster can be replaced by electrified ones.[61]

Station stops

[edit]
State Location Station Connections
ME Brunswick Brunswick Bus interchange Greater Portland Metro Bus: BREEZ
Bus interchange Western Maine Transportation Services: Brunswick Link Bus, BlueLine Commuter Bus
Freeport Freeport
Portland Portland Bus interchange Concord Coach Lines to Bangor
Bus interchange Greater Portland Metro Bus: Route 1, BREEZ
Old Orchard Beach Old Orchard Beach
Saco Saco
Wells Wells Greyhound Lines Greyhound Lines
NH Dover Dover Bus interchange Coast Bus: 1, 3, 12, 13, 33, 34, 43
Durham Durham–UNH Bus interchange UNH Campus Connector: Cottages Connector, Gables Connector, West Edge Express
Exeter Exeter
MA Haverhill Haverhill MBTA Commuter Rail MBTA Commuter Rail: Haverhill Line (MBTA service to Haverhill temporarily suspended)
Woburn Woburn–Anderson MBTA Commuter Rail MBTA Commuter Rail: Lowell Line
Bus interchange Massport: Logan Express bus to Airport interchange Logan International Airport
Boston North Station MBTA subway:  Green   Orange 
MBTA Commuter Rail MBTA Commuter Rail: Fitchburg Line, Lowell Line, Haverhill Line, Newburyport/Rockport Line
MBTA bus: 4

Proposed extensions

[edit]

Bangor

[edit]

There have been various proposals to extend Downeaster service from Brunswick along the old Maine Central Railroad main line to Augusta, Waterville, and Bangor, which last saw passenger train service in 1961 at Bangor Union Station.

In April 2015, Representative Michelle Dunphy and nine cosponsors introduced a bill in the Maine House that would direct MaineDOT to study the feasibility and cost of extending passenger rail to Bangor.[62] The bill "died between houses" when legislators declined to appropriate the $300,000 cost from the highway fund. Dunphy and eight cosponsors reintroduced the bill in February 2017, but it also died in committee.[63]

In January 2021, Senator Joe Baldacci and seven cosponsors introduced a bill similar to Dunphy's in the Maine Senate.[64] This bill was passed unanimously through committee in May 2021, and in June 2021 was passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Janet Mills.[65][66] The amended bill directs MaineDOT to study the propensity for new passenger rail or other transit between Portland and Bangor by January 1, 2023, but only if local municipalities provide 25% of the study's cost.[67]

In March 2021, Amtrak did not include the route to Bangor in its "Amtrak Connects Us" 15-year expansion vision. Local stakeholders stated that they had not signed off on the plan, and that the omission does not preclude future service.[68]

In April 2023, the results of the studies ordered in 2021 were published. MaineDOT concluded that a rail extension was not feasible, citing high capital costs and projected operating subsidies and limited projected ridership. Augmenting existing intercity bus service along the proposed extension corridor was recommended instead. Some politicians, including Baldacci and Auburn mayor Jason Levesque, stated that they would continue to pursue a rail extension.[69][70]

Lewiston–Auburn

[edit]

In 1960, the Maine Central Railroad ended passenger train service between Portland and Lewiston–Auburn, Maine's second-largest metropolitan area.[71] Two existing rail lines have been identified as candidates for restored service along the route: the private Pan Am Railways line (expected to merge with CSX) and the state-owned St. Lawrence and Atlantic line.

An August 2011 feasibility study by MaineDOT examined a Portland-to-Auburn service, which would take 40 minutes and consist of eight daily round trips. There would be a bus connection from Auburn to downtown Lewiston. The report estimated 30,000 to 46,000 riders per year, depending on the number of direct rides to Boston versus transfers. The construction costs were placed at $107 million to $234 million, with annual operating costs of $3.5 to $9.4 million and a farebox recovery ratio of 15 to 27%.[72]

In April 2013, NNEPRA announced that a plan for revived Portland-Lewiston–Auburn passenger rail would be released later in the year. New infrastructure needed for the route was said to include a layover facility in Brunswick (built in 2016), 4 miles (6.4 km) of new passing track in Yarmouth (the Royal Junction Siding, built in 2018), a wye in Portland, and an island platform at Portland Transportation Center.[53]

In December 2016, NNEPRA hired VHB and WSP to produce a propensity report for the extension.[73] Released in May 2018, the report forecast daily ridership of 250 to 330 given four round-trip trains per day, and 700 to 1,900 given 12 to 20 round-trip trains. The lower estimate alone was said to position Lewiston–Auburn as the third-busiest station of the Downeaster.[74]

In June 2021, the Maine Legislature passed a bill directing MaineDOT to conduct an "economic evaluation study" building on the 2018 study, positioning the project for new federal funding expected from the Biden agenda.[75][76] The state required municipalities to fund 10% of the $200,000 cost. Lewiston officials approved $10,000, but Auburn's city council refused, calling the project a "money pit."[77] Portland stepped in to cover the remaining cost.[78]

"Amtrak Connects Us" 15-year expansion vision, released in March 2021, did not include the route to Lewiston–Auburn.[79]

Bethel

[edit]

MaineDOT's 2011 study also looked into a longer extension beyond Auburn to Bethel, with intermediate stops in Auburn and South Paris. This option was estimated to draw 66,700 to 71,100 riders per year.[72]

Rockland

[edit]

Until April 1959, the Maine Central Railroad provided passenger service from Brunswick east to Rockland, Maine, via the 56-mile Rockland Branch.[80] The State of Maine purchased the line in 1987. From 2003 to 2015, the Maine Eastern Railroad leased operation of the line, offering seasonal excursion service to Rockland. The route was popular with summer vacationers; Rockland station is within walking distance of Rockland Ferry Terminal, which serves Vinalhaven, North Haven, and Matinicus. The Canadian Pacific Railway took over operations in June 2020, but does not run passenger service.[81]

In 2017, NNEPRA announced plans for a 2018 pilot program that would extend one weekend Downeaster round trip to Rockland between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Intermediate stops would be made in Bath, Wiscasset, and Newcastle.[82][83] The proposed pilot was later pared to three weekends in summer 2018, before ultimately being cancelled when Amtrak failed to conduct a risk assessment in time.[84] Plans for a summer 2019 pilot also fell through when time ran out to reach a contract with the Central Maine and Quebec Railway.[85] In August 2019, local stakeholders inspected the route aboard an Amtrak track geometry car, looking toward a summer 2020 pilot.[86] In August 2021, NNEPRA said that the extension project is on hold, though public support remains for it.[87][88]

In March 2021, Amtrak included the extension to Rockland in its "Amtrak Connects Us" 15-year expansion vision, coinciding with the Biden administration's push to pass an infrastructure bill.[89] Amtrak's map lists stops in Waldoboro and Thomaston, as well as those previously proposed in Bath, Wiscasset, and Newcastle.[90]

Finger Lakes Railway proposed a private alternative to this extension in January 2022. Under the plan, their subsidiary Midcoast Rail Service would operate a rail shuttle to Rockland that would have timed transfers with the Downeaster in Brunswick. One daily round trip would run year-round, unlike in Amtrak's seasonal proposal. Two daily round trips would run on summer weekends.[91] On June 12, Finger Lakes exited its lease to operate the branch after the loss of its primary freight customer, rendering the line unprofitable to operate and again putting Downeaster expansion plans on hold. [92]

Westbrook

[edit]

In 2019, developers of the Rock Row development in Westbrook were looking into a rail link to the city.[17] The rail shuttle would connect Commercial Street in Portland with high-density developments at Thompson's Point, Rock Row, and to other transit services, which would support private investments and reduce the growing congestion.[58] A NNEPRA feasibility study estimated that it would cost about $100 million to establishing such a service—mostly infrastructure and rolling stock—and between $7 million and $13 million annually to operate, depending on the service.[93]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Amtrak Fiscal Year 2023 Ridership" (PDF). Amtrak. November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  2. ^ "Amtrak Timetable Results". www.amtrak.com. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  3. ^ "NNEPRA Downeaster Board Report" (PDF). Retrieved August 26, 2024.
  4. ^ "Welcome". www.trainridersne.org. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  5. ^ "Wayne Davis "10 Most Intriguing"". www.portlandmonthly.com. Portland Magazine. October 26, 2017.
  6. ^ a b c "Highlights from Formation of TNE to the Downeaster Inaugural". Trainriders Northeast. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  7. ^ "Amtrak's Downeaster rolls out". Daily Herald. December 16, 2001. p. 2. Retrieved September 3, 2014 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  8. ^ a b "Downeaster's new service to Brunswick doing better than expected". Portland Press Herald. December 13, 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
  9. ^ "Amtrak's Downeaster Hopes To Tap Stimulus Money". TheStreet. December 13, 2009. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  10. ^ Billings, Randy (November 11, 2011). "Amtrak Downeaster rolls out electronic tickets, improved Wi-Fi". Sun Journal. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
  11. ^ Gillman, Faith (December 26, 2014). "Next stop, Kennebunk: Amtrak's Downeaster welcomed as seasonal economic boost". The Village. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  12. ^ Lynch, Nathan (October 28, 2015). "Downeaster platform in Kennebunk chugging along". Journal Tribune. Archived from the original on October 30, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  13. ^ Bell, Tom (October 29, 2014). "Downeaster train service adds stop in Kennebunk". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
  14. ^ Lindsell, Robert M. (2000). The Rail Lines of Northern New England. Branch Line Press. ISBN 0-942147-06-5.
  15. ^ Buttarazzi, Donna (October 18, 2018). "Train station plans come to a halt in Kennebunk". Seacoast Online. Archived from the original on October 1, 2019.
  16. ^ Wells, Tammy (November 18, 2021). "Kennebunk begins a new Amtrak conversation". Kennebunk Post.
  17. ^ a b Harry, David (April 17, 2019). "Rail officials seek new Portland station for Downeaster". The Forecaster. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  18. ^ "Report recommends relocating Amtrak Downeaster station". WMTW. February 25, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  19. ^ "Senator Collins Announces Nearly $17 Million for Railroad That Serves the Downeaster" (Press release). Office of Senator Susan Collins. February 27, 2020.
  20. ^ Collins, Katie Irish (July 10, 2019). "Rail officials float West Falmouth stop for Downeaster". Portland Press Herald.
  21. ^ "Chronology of High=Speed Rail Corridors; Designations and Extensions". Passenger Rail. Washington, DC: Federal Railroad Administration. July 7, 2009. Archived from the original on February 14, 2010.
  22. ^ "White House Published Document: Recovery Act High Speed Rail Awards" (PDF).
  23. ^ Kelley Bouchard (May 14, 2012). "Downeaster platforms ready in Freeport, Brunswick". Portland Press Herald.
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  25. ^ "Brunswick Layover Facility". Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority. August 18, 2011. Archived from the original on August 12, 2012. Retrieved December 2, 2012.
  26. ^ "Layover Facility" (PDF). Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority. March 25, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 14, 2013. Retrieved March 25, 2013.
  27. ^ "Foes of Amtrak depot in Brunswick demand more environmental study". Bangor Daily News. September 27, 2013. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  28. ^ "LePage calls for 'thorough review' of proposed Amtrak layover facility in Brunswick". Bangor Daily News. March 24, 2014. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
  29. ^ "Lawmakers question plan to build Downeaster layover facility in Brunswick, suggest South Portland". Bangor Daily News. July 11, 2014. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  30. ^ Wuthmann, Walter (January 7, 2016). "Brunswick group abandons fight against Amtrak facility". Maine Sun Journal. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  31. ^ "Downeaster to boost Brunswick service by building new track". Portland Press Herald. August 17, 2016. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
  32. ^ McGuire, Peter (September 17, 2018). "Downeaster readies for expanded Brunswick-Boston service". Portland Press Herald.
  33. ^ "Schedule Effective November 12, 2018" (PDF). Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority. October 23, 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 1, 2018. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
  34. ^ "Downeaster Schedule" (PDF). Amtrak Downeaster. May 20, 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 11, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
  35. ^ a b Bell, Tom (August 2, 2015). "Downeaster in recovery mode after dismal year". Portland Press-Herald. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  36. ^ Bell, Tom (January 11, 2016). "Amtrak's Downeaster chugs into 2016 in timelier fashion". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  37. ^ "Service Adjustments Due to Coronavirus" (Press release). Amtrak. April 13, 2020. Archived from the original on April 13, 2020.
  38. ^ "AMTRAK DOWNEASTER RESUMES LIMITED SERVICE JUNE 15 ENTERS PHASE 1 SERVICE RESTORATION PLAN" (Press release). Amtrak. June 10, 2020.
  39. ^ McGuire, Peter (April 14, 2021). "Amtrak Downeaster to resume full service in May". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  40. ^ "Downeaster Makes Special Stop at Falmouth Country Club" (Press release). Amtrak. June 24, 2021.
  41. ^ "Amtrak and CSX Partner on Positive Train Control Installation to Improve Safety for the Amtrak Downeaster" (Press release). Amtrak. June 26, 2024.
  42. ^ a b "Amtrak – Downeaster". TrainWeb. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  43. ^ "Introducing Our New Trains: Amtrak Airo". Amtrak. December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  44. ^ "Amtrak FY 2022–2027 Asset Line Plan" (PDF). Amtrak. p. 132. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  45. ^ "Travel Guide to Train Fares". Amtrak. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
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Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Amtrak's Fiscal Year (FY) runs from October 1 of the prior year to September 30 of the named year.
[edit]

Media related to Downeaster at Wikimedia Commons

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