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 December 15th, the fourth anniversary of the first public Downeaster trip began with the arrival of the first train from Boston at 12:15PM. About 40 schoolchildren who'd boarded in Saco, detrained at the
Portland terminal with Santa Clause in attendance. Each was carrying a new toy to donate to the Toys for Tots program organized by NNEPRA and the US Marine Corps. Santa acted as emcee, and following the delivery of the toys to the US Marine Corp. Reserves, who sponsors the Toys for Tots annual program, the children then made short work of the cookie and punch table before boarding their waiting school bus to return to school in Saco.
These Downeaster Discovery trips have proved very popular by introducing an entire new generation to the pleasures of passenger rail travel. Hopefully, today's young riders will become tomorrow's regular passengers.
 A large sheet cake, provided by Hannaford Corporation, sported a large edible photo of the Downeaster on the center of the cake. Bus and train passengers waiting in the terminal were treated to a piece of the cake, cut by TrainRiders/Northeast Chairman, Wayne Davis and NNEPRA's Terri Diffin. After TNE train hosts had served cake to everyone, the remaining cake was placed
in the cafe car to be offered to passengers on board the 1:55 departure for Boston.
TNE volunteers Bob Hall, Steve Piper and Bill Hunt greeted riders arriving and departing on all trains at Dover, Durham and Exeter, handing out our Anniversary brochure with cookies and candy.
Later that day, 15 members of TNE's Board of Directors boarded the Downeaster to Exeter for Dinner at a local restaurant. Local transportation between the station and downtown Exeter was arranged by TNE board member Bob Hall. Following dinner, the Directors boarded train #685 on its way to Portland from Boston. One of the coaches on the packed 5 car consist was specially decorated for Christmas by NNEPRA staff as part of the "2005 Commuter Appreciation Trip". Food and beverages were served to all passengers and certainly everyone on board was appreciative for the special services available and the festive atmosphere.
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