As NNERPA Executive Director Patricia Quinn put it, "Aprl was not a good month."

First, there were two weekend Shawsheen River Bridge reconstruction outages, meaning that the Downeaster could not bring passengers to or from Boston, and then the Boston Marathon bombings closed North Station to all train traffic - frustrating NNEPRA, Amtrak and passengers alike.

The numbers on ridership and revenue reflect those unusual events. However, the Downeaster will be 'back on track' for the month of May as ridership, according to Ms. Quinn, is already ahead of last May by 2,400.

'Build it and they will come' goes the saying - it was never more true than on Saturday, May 11th,  when Brunswick Station was the site of Amtrak's celebration of National Train Day along the Downeaster route.

Five dollar fares along with free tours of the train itself brought hundreds of admirers to the attractive facility. First stop aboard the six-car trainset was the Cafe Car where free samples of Maine food products were eagerly consumed.

Parents had their children in tow as the 'real train' outside competed for attention with the model trains inside.

Amtrak's theme for the nationwide celebration was 'Trains Matter,' and on this day, who could argue?

National Train Day - Saturday, May 11th

Amtrak has selected Brunswick as the station along the Downeaster route to celebrate 'Trains Matter.'

A Downeaster train will be at the station and open for tours (including Cafe Car samples) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., along with travel ideas, kids features and NNEPRA, Operation Lifesaver and TrainRiders/NE booths.

Meet those who: BROUGHT you the train (Wayne Davis and TrainRiders' board members), MANAGE the service (Patricia Quinn & staff), RUN the trains (Amtrak crews) and EMPHASIZE SAFETY (Maine Coordinator Fred Hirsh of Operation Lifesaver - safety exhibit plus two model train layouts). And...Saturday is a $5/ticket day between Exeter and Brunswick (and all stations in between).{jcomments on}