TRNE News
TRNE News
Wayne Davis Honored with Governor's Tourism Award.
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- Created: 04 May 2024 04 May 2024
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The last week in April was a banner period for Wayne Davis and TrainRiders/Northeast! We had our 35th Annual Meeting in Freeport, which included addresses from the Amtrak president, NNEPRA's Executive Director, Conway Scenic Railroad's president, UNH Special Projects Director, and Miss Maine! Senators Collins and King, along with Representative Pingree, added their compliments to Wayne and TrainRiders/NE. We'll have a full report on the meeting in the coming days.
Wayne's Governor's Award honored his personal dedication to customer service. It was his vision that resulted in the creation of the Amtrak Downeaster. Below is the video shown to hundreds of attendees at the Governor's Tourism Welcome Awards in Portland - honoring his and several other organizations/companies' hospitable approach to tourism in Maine.
Renew, join or provide special financial support by going here!
Important Hearing This Thursday (5/18/23) at 1pm in Augusta on Ripping Up Unused Rails for Trails (Updated 5/15/2023)
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- Created: 13 May 2023 13 May 2023
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This update corrects our prior notice dated 5/13/2023 in order to reflect that MDOT
does not support removal of the rail from the line between Portland and Auburn, and
that it does not support passage of the bill that would provide funding for the removal of
the Mountain Division line at this point in time.
We previously warned that the formation of Rail Use Advisory Councils (RUAC) in Maine could lead to the ripping up of State-owned rail lines, whether or not those lines have future rail potential. That danger has now become very, very real.
In spring 2022, one RUAC recommended that the rails on the Mountain Division line be removed. In December 2023, another RUAC recommended the removal of the rail on the line (formerly owned by the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad) between Portland and Auburn (also known as the “Berlin Subdivision”).
RUAC Berlin Subdivision Recommendation
RUAC Mountain Division Recommendation
The Commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) approved of the recommendation to remove the rails from the Mountain Division, but rejected the recommendation for removal of rails from the Berlin Subdivision.
However, bills were submitted to the legislature this year to permit removal of rail from both lines. In both instances, the rail lines would be replaced by trails. A hearing on these bills is now scheduled to be heard in Augusta by the Transportation Committee starting at 1 pm this coming Thursday, 5/18/2023. Passage of these bills, and approval by the Governor, would then permit the removal of the rail on these lines as soon as money became available to do so.
TrainRiders Northeast absolutely opposes passage of LD 404, LD 1450 and LD 209. The removal of the rail from these lines is shortsighted and irreversible steps that would eliminate even the possibility of future rail use on these lines. In theory, the lines would be preserved for rail use at some point in the future, but, in fact, removal of the track on those lines would make their reconversion to rail economically impossible. TrainRiders position is that any trails should be constructed beside the existing rails, with appropriate separation and fencing to ensure that the trails would not impede future rail use after any necessary track upgrades.
TrainRiders/NE Train Host Service Suspended
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- Created: 15 March 2020 15 March 2020
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In order to reduce the risks of viral infection and the spread of the Coronavirus, the Train Host service has been suspended until April 15th.
Each Friday, during that period, Chairman Wayne Davis and Trainmaster Jim Oikle will review the situation with NNEPRA and Amtrak with the goal of returning the hosts to the train as soon as the risk has subsided.
Many of our hosts are older adults and like many retirees, they are considered to be at 'higher risk.'
Since helping passengers is their primary goal, they'll miss their assignments on the train.
Happy Birthday, NNEPRA - Born in 1995!
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- Created: 27 June 2020 27 June 2020
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On June 27th, 1995, the Maine Senate cleared away the last legislative hurdle standing in the way of resumption of passenger rail service to Maine. LD 1255, An Act to create the Northern New England Rail Authority, passed by the necessary two-thirds majority, the Maine House having approved it the week before. Governor Angus King signed the bill on June 29th.
From Wayne Davis: "It occurs to me that this act and the last one are important dates not just for Maine - but also for New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Of course, the text goes on to say that without TNE's dogged determination there is little doubt that the bill would have failed - and goes on to thank oodles of folks - Senators Cohen and Snowe, Representative John Baldacci and more."
TrainRiders/NE participated in the writing of the legislation that created NNEPRA - our baby in 1995!
Read all about it in our 1995 newsletter! Click on the old banner below.
Progress in NH for Commuter Rail
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- Created: 20 July 2019 20 July 2019
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Year after year, NH rail advocates have tried but failed to access federal money to analyze the viability of passenger rail service from Boston to Nashua and Manchester (Dover, Durham and Exeter are already served by the Maine-sponsored Amtrak Downeaster).
This year is different - strong support in the Legislature and no veto from the governor's office!
The following is from Bob Hall, TrainRiders/NE's Vice-Chair and long-time advocate for expanded passenger rail service in the Granite State.
July 2019 marked the first signs by the State of New Hampshire of support for the return of rail passenger service to the Merrimack Valley communities of Nashua and Manchester. Trainriders/Northeast along with many other local and state organizations, businesses residents and elected officials as well as educational communities have long advocated for such service.
Senate Bill 241 after affirmative votes in both the New Hampshire House and Senate was allowed to become law by Governor Chris Sununu without his signature. This action will allow policymakers to make informed decisions as steps are taken to restoring passenger rail. No money will be used from the New Hampshire General fund rather this bill allows New Hampshire DOT to use the state's abundance of highway toll credits.