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 On Wednesday, June 2nd, Governor John Baldacci (D-Maine) announced that the Downeaster would soon be increasing its top speed to 80MPH. Full implementation of the increased speed will be completed by the 2005 maintenance season. These improvements will allow the Downeaster to run a 5th daily round trip as well.
The Governor also announced plans by Guilford Transportation and the Maine Eastern Railroad to develop a passenger rail excursion pilot project this summer from Portland to Brunswick and Rockland using rail equipment supplied by the Maine Eastern Railroad - a subsidiary of the Morristown & Erie Railway, Inc., the objective being to demonstrate the future potential for passenger rail service along this corridor. Governor Baldacci referred to "...a new era of partnership with Guilford Transportation Industries with respect to passenger rail service in Maine."
We understand that officials will use the period July 23 to August 1st, during the temporary shut-down of Downeaster Service due to the Democratic National Convention in Boston, to make changes to signals and track adjustments to allow the higher speeds over some portions of the rail by August 1st.
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