NNEPRA Awarded $27 Million Grant from Biden Administration & Money to Explore Falmouth Station Stop & Possible Rockland Service
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- Created: 09 December 2023 09 December 2023
From Portland Press Herald: "Amtrak’s Downeaster will receive $27 million under a new initiative from the Biden administration to improve and expand passenger rail service across the country.
The funds for the Downeaster Corridor Track Improvement Project will improve the mainline from Brunswick to the Massachusetts state line and help avoid delays and longer transit times.
NNEPRA will also receive a $500,000 grant to explore building a new station in Falmouth and extending train service from Brunswick to Rockland, something that has long been considered."
Executive Director of NNEPRA, Patricia Quinn, said, “We are grateful for this federal award which, in partnership with CSX Transportation, will fund track-related upgrades to maintain reliability and set the stage for future improvements to the Amtrak Downeaster service.”
The full Press Herald article can be read here.
More details on the grant from Construction Equipment Guide.
Family Left Their Car Behind As They Visited Maine via the Downeaster
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- Created: 19 October 2023 19 October 2023
We know how special 'America's Favorite Train' is, but it's even more satisfying when tourists have the same warm feeling as we do.
A family visiting Boston for their son's medical needs decided to take the train to Wells with Kennebunkport as their final destination. This sightseeing trip paid off big time.
Happy train riders.
Do we need a reminder of how good we have it when traveling the coastal rail route through Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine? If so, read, mom's description of her family's experience.
New 'Airo' Train Sets To Spruce Up Downeaster Service by 2030
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- Created: 18 October 2023 18 October 2023
Congress approved $66 billion for rail as part of the 2021 massive infrastructure bill, with Amtrak receiving $22 billion over the next five years. This is one of the results.
The new trains can operate at speeds of up to 125 miles per hour, (Downeaster's speed is limited to 79 mph), and provide “spacious interiors, panoramic windows, plenty of legroom, double and single seats, dedicated outlets, USB ports and onboard Wi-Fi.” Correction: The article mentions 2026, but according to NNEPRA, the Airo won't see service on the Downeaster route until at least 2030. Here's the full article.