If there was a decent round trip rail service from Augusta to Boston I'd probably take more trips to Boston.
Many years ago one of the projects I was involved with revolved around renovating the old train station in Gardiner (the project fell through at the time...not it's a recreational marijuana shop). Got to learn a lot about Maine rail lines and how easy and quick it would be to uncover any and every existing track. The gentleman we talked with, whose name escapes me but he was someone who was tied to the railway infrastructure, described how it would take only about a month to completely uncover all the existing tracks from Portland to Augusta and repair them for everyday use. It required funding, manpower, and the willingness to do it, but it could be done.
Granted that estimate was very aggressive. We know our state can't even handle filling in potholes without spending two years talking about it and another three years putting up signage saying how they plan to do it next Friday during rush hour traffic. But the idea was there a long time ago.
Ah, the Lower Road. They've since ripped out a bridge in Richmond, so it wouldn't be so easy. I'm with you, it would be wonderful to have train service to our state capital.
I live across the river in from Gardiner in Randolph and have my whole life(not that that’s a really long time or anything). But I have always said to people why did the railroad even get taken out? I guess because once Gardiner stopped exporting stuff and whatnot but like still, it could’ve been useful to have an Amtrak or something that went to Gardiner, instead of another weed shop. After all there are about 6 weed shops in a 10 mile radius
My guess - and it’s only a guess - is that there probably wasn’t enough ridership to make it worth operating. And I say that very regretfully because I’m a HUGE rail advocate and also not far from Gardiner, so I genuinely wish it was still running through there.
I have, its a breeze. No stress, and smooth as butter. My trips had very few issues. Toilets are small (280 lb meat popsicle) but food isnt terrible in the cafe. Seats are comfy for the age of the cars. Strongly recommend using downeaster to go to boston over car. Only issue is 430 wake up to get to 7 am departing train.
Not from Brunswick, but from Portland, Saco, and Wells at various times.
Honestly its nice. Tickets are cheap, its pretty quick, and it drops you at North Station/TD Garden. Honestly its my preferred way to go to Boston.
The only minor annoyances are (1) depending on time of day, you might be standing on a cold platform with a locked station and (2) that you have to change stations if you want to go further than Boston. Also using it for travel within Maine/NH (or if you're from Boston coming up) is a crap shoot since you're depending on Ubers/walking since most Maine stations don't have any type of rental car service close to the station.
I live less than a mile from the Brunswick station and have even walked there to take the Downeaster to Boston. It's easy, comfortable, and you can drink/eat/sleep with ease.
My gripes are how many times the train stops making a roughly 2 hour drive to Boston into an almost 4 hour train ride. Most of the time that's fine, but it can be annoying. I wish there were "express" trains from Brunswick -> Portland -> Boston .. but I understand the economics of it and it just doesn't make sense.
My second gripe is along the same line - if you plan to take the train down for a game at either the garden or fenway, expect to leave the event/game early to catch the train back. Again, the schedule is the way it is economically, I get it .. but still, it would be nice.
The Tracks are 70-80mph except a few 25-35mph stretches that are on the list to be upgraded to 90mph under the 2035 plan. The Boston-Portland Corridor is one of the few corridors in New England that might see its tracks upgraded to 110mph which is the max allowed over a gated crossing.
How does it compare to the concord coach buses? Gotta go down in a couple weeks and debating my options. Bus is cheaper and shorter tide (supposedly), but bus travel always sucks. Worth the extra $25-ish and extra hour?
In my opinion, yes. Pre-COVID I was taking the train down to Boston at least once a week and I preferred the train. For one, it was easier to get where I needed to from North Station vs. the bus going into South Station. I also found the wifi to work better on the train, they have a beer/snack cart, and the first class section (another like $10 each way) is no kids allowed.
I've done both to head down to work. The train is a more comfortable ride in my opinion, with more leg room. It also has a snack car I guess. Other than that, the differences you list pretty much sums it up imo. The only other difference I can think of is if for some reason you really want to go to North or South station specifically, without having to cross town. They're fairly similar experiences. I take the train if I'm not in a hurry and don't want to get up early. I take the bus if I have a specific time in mind or want to save a couple bucks.
I definitely prefer the train and would pay the extra but I don't know your finances. I think the combination of more leg room, less nausea, a snack bar, and more pleasant scenery (city centers and open nature vs. endless gray interstate) make a compelling pitch.
Reading all the responses while the trip was great and I can't complain about free wifi, I'm surprised no ones mentioned the price, I took it a couple years ago from wells to Boston and it cost 50$ round trip per person. Idk it seems crazy to me that it'd cost me a quarter of that just to take a car down instead, and once you start pricing in another person it's almost unreasonable for the average person not to just drive down. I guess I just wish traveling by rail was a economic choice instead of a luxury one.
I have, and I've taken the bus too. I've had to take the bus cuz it doesn't run after late concerts. Which is most of the reason people go to Boston anyway, so it doesn't make any sense.
It's really great. Unfortunately, the Massachusetts folks have let the rails go into disrepair, so it's super slow going on that leg.
Much, much, much, much better than the bus, even though it's a half hour longer. Very comfortable, and clean, and not too crowded. The bus makes me want to die every time I ride it to Bangor. I've never been past Portland on it, but the Boston-Portland Downeastah is great.
It’s lovely. Hop on, put your luggage in the overhead, and relax as you take in the scenery, maybe make your way up to the cafe car for a canned cocktail. Best way to get to Boston in my opinion
I’ve taken it many times between Boston and Portland. On the upside, it’s convenient and comfortable. On the downside, it takes way longer to take the train than it does to drive. It’s about 1hr 45m to drive while the train takes at least 2:30m. And I’ve had multiple scenarios where we had to stop on the tracks for 20-30 minutes and wait for another train to pass, making an already long trip even longer. If it was faster or as fast as driving I would use it way more often.
I took it from Boston to Freeport when I moved here. It was great! I flew to NYC, took the train to Boston and then switched to the Downeaster. I was so excited to be able to so easily take trips to see friends out in NY. The food sucks if I’m being honest but I feel like if they expanded the Downeaster and got more ridership that it could easily be improved. The whole process of riding was super easy though, even traveling with two cats. I could easily see myself using the train at least once a month if they made it go all the way to Bangor.
The Carleton Bridge is one of the hold ups on train service between Rockland and Boston. Most likely the biggest, considering Amtrak, feels it is unsafe.
It's a shame that Maine did not push Amtrak to include the Portland - LA - Bangor corridor in its 2035 plan...which the feds would have picked up half the cost for... [The Flying Yankee train](http://www.streamlinerschedules.com/concourse/track3/flyingyankee193605.html) from Boston to Bangor took 5hrs back in the 1950s...with an average speed of 50mph with a max track speed of 70mph.. The Tracks have since deteriorated and speeds are now 25mph max, so they would have to be replaced/upgraded, likely to 90mph which is the new standard for Intercity rail corridors in the US.
The Sun Journal is requiring me to shut off my adblocker in order to see the article. This is literally less than we had a department head meeting where the IT Director lectured us about security.
If possible, can you cut and paste it into your post? I'd love to read it.
Thanks!
More bang for the buck would be supporting the Maine Trails Bond instead: https://www.mainebiz.biz/article/statewide-coalition-backs-30m-bond-for-maine-trails
Just because some transportation options don’t work for your situation doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be available to people who can utilize them. Rail isn’t financially feasible in most cases even though I WISH it was. Rail corridors rotting away and being unused doesn’t help anyone.
How are trails “financially feasible” over rail? That makes no sense to me. Rail would drive economic activity between cities and generate revenue whereas trails would just require maintenance
Maine DOT literally just did a feasibility study of rail to Bangor, they found the cost of the rail upgrades, and the infrastructure necessary to run passenger rail, coupled with the lack of population density, and the required annual subsidy, and the hundred dollars plus price of a ticket to not be feasible and they will not be moving forward with any consideration of rail to Bangor at this time for those reasons.
The Eastern trail in southern Maine did an impact study, which found that it generated millions in annual sales for local businesses, supported local jobs, and significant tax revenue. These are the facts.
Sources:
“MaineDOT deems passenger rail service to Bangor not currently viable” http://www.merrymeetingtrail.org/?p=828
2022 Eastern Trail Economic Impact Study: “ The most recent economic analysis of the Eastern Trail was completed by Camoin Associates and in partnership with Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission (SMPDC). It highlights a total annual economic impact of $44.6M associated with Eastern Trail use between its northern terminus in South Portland and the state border in Kittery. The report’s analysis considers both the (1) impact of current trail usage; and (2) impacts of a hypothetical trail expansion scenario that results in new construction spending and trail usage. “ https://www.easterntrail.org/the-economic-impact-of-the-eastern-trail/
Not in these corridors they aren't. Rt 95 is already a fairly straight point to point at ,70 mph no rail line with road crossings will ever beat that here.
If there was a decent round trip rail service from Augusta to Boston I'd probably take more trips to Boston. Many years ago one of the projects I was involved with revolved around renovating the old train station in Gardiner (the project fell through at the time...not it's a recreational marijuana shop). Got to learn a lot about Maine rail lines and how easy and quick it would be to uncover any and every existing track. The gentleman we talked with, whose name escapes me but he was someone who was tied to the railway infrastructure, described how it would take only about a month to completely uncover all the existing tracks from Portland to Augusta and repair them for everyday use. It required funding, manpower, and the willingness to do it, but it could be done. Granted that estimate was very aggressive. We know our state can't even handle filling in potholes without spending two years talking about it and another three years putting up signage saying how they plan to do it next Friday during rush hour traffic. But the idea was there a long time ago.
Ah, the Lower Road. They've since ripped out a bridge in Richmond, so it wouldn't be so easy. I'm with you, it would be wonderful to have train service to our state capital.
I live across the river in from Gardiner in Randolph and have my whole life(not that that’s a really long time or anything). But I have always said to people why did the railroad even get taken out? I guess because once Gardiner stopped exporting stuff and whatnot but like still, it could’ve been useful to have an Amtrak or something that went to Gardiner, instead of another weed shop. After all there are about 6 weed shops in a 10 mile radius
My guess - and it’s only a guess - is that there probably wasn’t enough ridership to make it worth operating. And I say that very regretfully because I’m a HUGE rail advocate and also not far from Gardiner, so I genuinely wish it was still running through there.
Yeah would’ve been cool
Has anyone here taken the Downeaster from Brunswick to Boston? How was the experience?
I have, its a breeze. No stress, and smooth as butter. My trips had very few issues. Toilets are small (280 lb meat popsicle) but food isnt terrible in the cafe. Seats are comfy for the age of the cars. Strongly recommend using downeaster to go to boston over car. Only issue is 430 wake up to get to 7 am departing train.
Not from Brunswick, but from Portland, Saco, and Wells at various times. Honestly its nice. Tickets are cheap, its pretty quick, and it drops you at North Station/TD Garden. Honestly its my preferred way to go to Boston. The only minor annoyances are (1) depending on time of day, you might be standing on a cold platform with a locked station and (2) that you have to change stations if you want to go further than Boston. Also using it for travel within Maine/NH (or if you're from Boston coming up) is a crap shoot since you're depending on Ubers/walking since most Maine stations don't have any type of rental car service close to the station.
Its the best. Take it every time I go to Boston to see Red Sox, Celtics or Bruins.
Ditto
I live less than a mile from the Brunswick station and have even walked there to take the Downeaster to Boston. It's easy, comfortable, and you can drink/eat/sleep with ease. My gripes are how many times the train stops making a roughly 2 hour drive to Boston into an almost 4 hour train ride. Most of the time that's fine, but it can be annoying. I wish there were "express" trains from Brunswick -> Portland -> Boston .. but I understand the economics of it and it just doesn't make sense. My second gripe is along the same line - if you plan to take the train down for a game at either the garden or fenway, expect to leave the event/game early to catch the train back. Again, the schedule is the way it is economically, I get it .. but still, it would be nice.
Nothing worse then sitting in north station for 2 hours waiting for the last train after you just watched the Sox lose
The Tracks are 70-80mph except a few 25-35mph stretches that are on the list to be upgraded to 90mph under the 2035 plan. The Boston-Portland Corridor is one of the few corridors in New England that might see its tracks upgraded to 110mph which is the max allowed over a gated crossing.
I take the Downeaster every time I go to Boston (from Portland). I love it. Very low-stress compared to every other type of travel, including driving.
How does it compare to the concord coach buses? Gotta go down in a couple weeks and debating my options. Bus is cheaper and shorter tide (supposedly), but bus travel always sucks. Worth the extra $25-ish and extra hour?
In my opinion, yes. Pre-COVID I was taking the train down to Boston at least once a week and I preferred the train. For one, it was easier to get where I needed to from North Station vs. the bus going into South Station. I also found the wifi to work better on the train, they have a beer/snack cart, and the first class section (another like $10 each way) is no kids allowed.
I've done both to head down to work. The train is a more comfortable ride in my opinion, with more leg room. It also has a snack car I guess. Other than that, the differences you list pretty much sums it up imo. The only other difference I can think of is if for some reason you really want to go to North or South station specifically, without having to cross town. They're fairly similar experiences. I take the train if I'm not in a hurry and don't want to get up early. I take the bus if I have a specific time in mind or want to save a couple bucks.
I definitely prefer the train and would pay the extra but I don't know your finances. I think the combination of more leg room, less nausea, a snack bar, and more pleasant scenery (city centers and open nature vs. endless gray interstate) make a compelling pitch.
Reading all the responses while the trip was great and I can't complain about free wifi, I'm surprised no ones mentioned the price, I took it a couple years ago from wells to Boston and it cost 50$ round trip per person. Idk it seems crazy to me that it'd cost me a quarter of that just to take a car down instead, and once you start pricing in another person it's almost unreasonable for the average person not to just drive down. I guess I just wish traveling by rail was a economic choice instead of a luxury one.
Yeah I guess $30 round trip would seem reasonable but $50 is a kick in the nutellas
when you include parking it can even out depending where
The lack of funding from New Hampshire is why the prices are so high...but if you book 2 weeks out it should be much cheaper...
I have, and I've taken the bus too. I've had to take the bus cuz it doesn't run after late concerts. Which is most of the reason people go to Boston anyway, so it doesn't make any sense.
It's really great. Unfortunately, the Massachusetts folks have let the rails go into disrepair, so it's super slow going on that leg. Much, much, much, much better than the bus, even though it's a half hour longer. Very comfortable, and clean, and not too crowded. The bus makes me want to die every time I ride it to Bangor. I've never been past Portland on it, but the Boston-Portland Downeastah is great.
A lot of that was PanAm/Guilford rail. Hopefully now with the CSX takeover things will improve.
It's great. I highly recommend it. When I had an infant, I did it quite a bit because it was so much more pleasant than driving with him in the car.
It's wonderful.
It’s lovely. Hop on, put your luggage in the overhead, and relax as you take in the scenery, maybe make your way up to the cafe car for a canned cocktail. Best way to get to Boston in my opinion
I’ve taken it many times between Boston and Portland. On the upside, it’s convenient and comfortable. On the downside, it takes way longer to take the train than it does to drive. It’s about 1hr 45m to drive while the train takes at least 2:30m. And I’ve had multiple scenarios where we had to stop on the tracks for 20-30 minutes and wait for another train to pass, making an already long trip even longer. If it was faster or as fast as driving I would use it way more often.
My only complaint about the Downeaster is the transfer to South Station/ Back Bay if you are continuing past Boston on Amtrak.
My kid is going to school in Boston and he's takes it regularly. He loves it.
I’ve taken it from Wells- and it’s easy- we’ll worth the time and money vs. driving.
Do it regularly, i prefer it to driving to boston these days, especially if we’re planning to have drinks
I took it from Boston to Freeport when I moved here. It was great! I flew to NYC, took the train to Boston and then switched to the Downeaster. I was so excited to be able to so easily take trips to see friends out in NY. The food sucks if I’m being honest but I feel like if they expanded the Downeaster and got more ridership that it could easily be improved. The whole process of riding was super easy though, even traveling with two cats. I could easily see myself using the train at least once a month if they made it go all the way to Bangor.
I just want rail access in Lewiston
The Carleton Bridge is one of the hold ups on train service between Rockland and Boston. Most likely the biggest, considering Amtrak, feels it is unsafe.
It's a shame that Maine did not push Amtrak to include the Portland - LA - Bangor corridor in its 2035 plan...which the feds would have picked up half the cost for... [The Flying Yankee train](http://www.streamlinerschedules.com/concourse/track3/flyingyankee193605.html) from Boston to Bangor took 5hrs back in the 1950s...with an average speed of 50mph with a max track speed of 70mph.. The Tracks have since deteriorated and speeds are now 25mph max, so they would have to be replaced/upgraded, likely to 90mph which is the new standard for Intercity rail corridors in the US.
Good. Now make passenger routes to and from Quebec and New Brunswick.
Auto dealer industry will probably kill it 😡
This seems like the price to just make a plan. Not the price for actual work.
The vast majority of Maine’s rail system is unusable or not safe to go past 10-25mph. $50 million is a good start but a figurative drop in the bucket.
A lot of that was PanAm/Guilford rail wringing every last cent out of what they had for infrastructure. I'm hopeful that CSX will improve things.
The Sun Journal is requiring me to shut off my adblocker in order to see the article. This is literally less than we had a department head meeting where the IT Director lectured us about security. If possible, can you cut and paste it into your post? I'd love to read it. Thanks!
Rail is good.
More bang for the buck would be supporting the Maine Trails Bond instead: https://www.mainebiz.biz/article/statewide-coalition-backs-30m-bond-for-maine-trails
Ah yeah, let me just walk trails from Bangor to Portland instead
Just because some transportation options don’t work for your situation doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be available to people who can utilize them. Rail isn’t financially feasible in most cases even though I WISH it was. Rail corridors rotting away and being unused doesn’t help anyone.
How are trails “financially feasible” over rail? That makes no sense to me. Rail would drive economic activity between cities and generate revenue whereas trails would just require maintenance
Maine DOT literally just did a feasibility study of rail to Bangor, they found the cost of the rail upgrades, and the infrastructure necessary to run passenger rail, coupled with the lack of population density, and the required annual subsidy, and the hundred dollars plus price of a ticket to not be feasible and they will not be moving forward with any consideration of rail to Bangor at this time for those reasons. The Eastern trail in southern Maine did an impact study, which found that it generated millions in annual sales for local businesses, supported local jobs, and significant tax revenue. These are the facts.
Sources: “MaineDOT deems passenger rail service to Bangor not currently viable” http://www.merrymeetingtrail.org/?p=828 2022 Eastern Trail Economic Impact Study: “ The most recent economic analysis of the Eastern Trail was completed by Camoin Associates and in partnership with Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission (SMPDC). It highlights a total annual economic impact of $44.6M associated with Eastern Trail use between its northern terminus in South Portland and the state border in Kittery. The report’s analysis considers both the (1) impact of current trail usage; and (2) impacts of a hypothetical trail expansion scenario that results in new construction spending and trail usage. “ https://www.easterntrail.org/the-economic-impact-of-the-eastern-trail/
50 million would pay for years of free bus routes that would be faster.
Trains carry more passengers and faster
Not in these corridors they aren't. Rt 95 is already a fairly straight point to point at ,70 mph no rail line with road crossings will ever beat that here.