NNEPRA's Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon
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- Written by TRN Webmaster TRN Webmaster
- Published: 21 May 2019 21 May 2019
"This is a 143-mile long community that the Downeaster knits together," said NNEPRA Executive Director Patricia Quinn at this year's Ambassador's Appreciation Luncheon in Portland.
More than one hundred station volunteers, train hosts (A program of TrainRiders/NE) and municipal officials accepted NNEPRA's invitation to celebrate their participation in supporting "America's Favorite Train." Where else can folks from three separate states work as one?
Rail Townhall in Manchester
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- Written by TRN Webmaster TRN Webmaster
- Parent Category: News News
- Published: 13 May 2019 13 May 2019
A Rail Townhall was held recently in Manchester, NH, attracting Democratic candidate for president Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota.
Years of work attempting to develop a rail plan to ultimately Concord, Manchester and Nashua with Boston's North Station have been frustrating, to say the least.
The challenges and opportunities of bringing passenger rail service to these population centers are detailed in this article in the ManchesterInklink.
Coastal NH is already served by the Amtrak Downeaster as it carries more than 200,000 passengers from Dover, Durham and Exeter annually. Here's a recent article on the joys of commuting on the Downeaster from Exeter to Boston: https://manchesterinklink.com/ticket-to-ride-whats-it-like-to-commute-to-boston-on-the-downeaster/
Portland Station Relocation Project
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- Written by TRN Webmaster TRN Webmaster
- Parent Category: NNEPRA NNEPRA
- Published: 12 April 2019 12 April 2019
NNEPRA is exploring relocating its Portland station to the mainline from its current Mountain Branch site. Executive Director Patricia Quinn briefed the TrainRiders/NE Board on this goal.
The Project Highlights from NNEPRA's Information Briefing Paper:
Relocating the station to the mainline would eliminate stop and reverse moves currently required for trains traveling between Portland, Freeport and Brunswick.
Sets the stage for increased passenger rail service and improved intermodal transit connectivity to and within the greater Portland region.
NNEPRA February, 2019 Board Meeting
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- Written by TRN Webmaster TRN Webmaster
- Published: 25 February 2019 25 February 2019
The NNEPRA Board welcomed a new member, recently sworn in DOT Commissioner Bruce Van Note. Commissioner Van Note had previously served on the DOT for 27 years and before being nominated, was Director of Policy and Planning for the Maine Turnpike Authority.
Ridership: The Downeaster Performance Report was discussed. FY 2019 to date (through January) shows a 3% variance in ridership (Target 320,844, Actual 318,689).
California High-speed Train Construction Halted.
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- Written by TRN Webmaster TRN Webmaster
- Parent Category: Downeaster Downeaster
- Published: 13 February 2019 13 February 2019
California's high-speed train, approved by the voters in 2008, was to have connected Los Angeles and San Francisco. This week, however, the new governor brought the project to a halt concluding that it "would cost too much and take too long." Originally estimated to cost $33 billion, the uncompleted right-of-way has now ballooned to $77 billion and will take 13 additional years to complete.
It would have taken the bullet-train 2 hours and 40 minutes to travel the 520 miles between the two California cities at speeds approaching 220 mph. The Acela from Boston to Washington travels some 457 miles in 6 hours and 38 minutes, reaching a maximum speed of 165mph.
More information is available here.