UPDATE: NNEPRA plans to begin construction of the Brunswick Layover Facility in September now that all necessary permits have been issued. Chairman Wayne Davis made this comment: 

The Board of Environmental Protection has decided to hear the opposition's appeal of the storm water permit granted by the DEP to NNEPRA.

The Maine DEP Commissioner has 'spiked' another delaying tactic by the Brunswick West Neighborhood Coalition. The opposition group had requested a stay of the approved storm water permit, pending their appeal to the Board of the DEP. Both NNEPRA and TrainRiders/NE argued against putting the permit on hold.

TRN Chairman Wayne Davis has spoken out on the continuing dispute over the Brunswick Layover Facility. In a Press Herald article, he concludes that Gov. LePage is "tinkering with the most successful train in the nation.” There's more from Wayne, NNEPRA's Patricia Quinn, the DEP commissioner, the BWNC and other interested parties. 

The Press Herald article.

---------

UPDATE: The Press Herald's Editorial Board has just published a commentary on the LePage administration's renewed involvement in the Brunswick Layover Facility decision. Referring to the governor's opposition and the last-minute involvement of the DEP commissioner, they wrote:

"The state’s involvement in a proposal over which it has no final say is a splashy and entirely symbolic move, and nobody should count on the heightened environmental concern on the part of the governor and his allies to outlast this fall’s election."

The full editorial is well worth reading. Go here.

UPDATE: Bangor Daily News publishes additional details on DEP's involvement in Brunswich Layover Facility. The review (actually, re-review) of the BLF's Storm Drainage Permit will be "by the book." Read here.

Just when you thought it was safe to go in the water, Commissioner Patricia Aho of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection said, in effect, "Not yet! I have 21 more questions."

NNERPA's renewed application for a storm water runoff permit for the Brunswick Layover Facility was quickly labeled unacceptable and incomplete as new questions were added to the process.

The initial permit has been approved by the DEP. The DEP had even given NNEPRA guidance as to who was an 'abutter.' That permit was ultimately thrown out by a judge who said more 'abutters' needed to be notified. So NNEPRA notified the additional interested parties and refiled the application. NNEPRA then met with the DEP for 2 1/2 hours and discussed the application in detail and answered several of the concerns that the DEP had raised. Then, out of the blue, the DEP struck back after they had assured NNEPRA that they didn't foresee any significant problems. And let's not forget, the Federal Railroad Administration, which has jurisdiction over railroad matters, found 'No Significant Environmental Impact' to the construction of the BLF.

NNEPRA Executive Director Patricia Quinn is quoted in the Bangor News article that she is eager to provide any answers the state requests.  The water torture continues.

Go here for the article.

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Brunswick Items

Ms. Patricia Quinn, NNEPRA Executive Director, briefed the board on various items, including the Downeaster Brunswick Layover Facility. She reported that she had a 2 1/2 hour meeting with the Maine DEP addressing in particular the storm water permitting process. As a result, the permit has been resubmitted and notification of the abutters has been expanded. This is a 45-day process that allows for public input. The meeting with the DEP addressed several other issues: the water table, air quality and storage of lubricants on the property. None of those issues was considered a problem.

Ms. Quinn met personally with two legislators and talked with a third on the phone regarding their letter suggesting that the layover facility be built in South Portland. She characterized the conversations as productive.

On the issue of idling at the Brunswick Station, Ms. Quinn stated that she was examining a way to reduce the idling time by shifting the current 12:30p arrival to 3:00p. Also, #687 would be shifted to a 6:05p departure from North Station (currently 5:40p) and become the evening train to Brunswick. We were reminded the the BLF is the solution to multiple issues, including this one.

Performance Report - Fiscal Year 2014

From the NNEPRA report: "FY 2014 marked a milestone for the Downeaster, as the 5 million passenger mark was met and exceeded. The year itself was successful with record-breaking ridership exceeding 536,000, which is a 4.6% increase over the previous fiscal year. Increases in ticket revenue were even more significant, exceeding $8.6 million, surpassing the previous year by 6.2%. Customer satisfaction for FY2014 was 93 as compared to Amtrak's overall CS of 86."

ACTION ALERT!  ACTION ALERT!  ACTION ALERT!

It’s time to add your voice as a Downeaster supporter.

Phone calls are still preferred – [Governor Paul LePage – 207-287-3531 or toll free 1-855-721-5203] and simply identify yourself and your town and say that you are calling to have your name added to the list supporting the position of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA) to construct the Downeaster Layover Facility in Brunswick on the site authorized by the Federal Rail Administration (FRA).

You can leave the same message for the Commissioner of Transportation, David Bernhardt at 207-624-3003 or email him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Thanks for whatever you can do.

Wayne Davis, Chairman 
TrainRiders NorthEast

ALERT FOLLOWUP:

One of our board members just dialed the governor's office and reports the following: 

"Talked with a very polite woman in the governor's office who passed me on to the 'Governor's Hotline.' Left a recorded message supporting NNEPRA's Brunswick Layover Plans. Keep in mind that the layover facility affects all Downeaster riders regardless of state since the BLF will result in more trains and passengers between Brunswick and Boston. It will also protect the trainsets and maintenance crews from wintry weather. You don't need to be a Mainer to call in and leave your opinion."

The Freeport Chamber of Commerce has sent a letter to the governor in support of NNEPRA's Brunswick plans concluding that... 

"The Freeport Chamber of Commerce is concerned  that the delay of Downeaster service improvements – like the Brunswick layover facility – will harm our local businesses and will have a negative economic impact on the entire region.  We, therefore, urge your support of NNEPRA’s planned Brunswick facility, which will allow increased ridership and services throughout the region."

===Full letter below===

August 19, 2014

The Honorable Paul LePage
Governor, State of Maine
#1 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0001 

Dear Governor LePage:

The Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce, representing more than 200 local businesses, fully supports the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority in their efforts to maintain and increase passenger rail service to Freeport and Brunswick.  Business owners in town regularly comment on the positive economic impact that the Downeaster train riders have brought to Freeport.

In 2013, over 16,000 passengers arrived and departed in Freeport.  Additionally, over 10,000 inquiries of local businesses have been made at the Train and Visitor Information Center located adjacent to the train platform.  The passenger train service has been critically important to the success of the many restaurants, shops, and lodging properties in the area.  Freeport is very supportive of the planned layover facility in Brunswick.  Having trains overnight and be serviced in Brunswick will allow for the scheduling of more round trips to and from Boston that stop in town.

FreeportUSA has sent a letter to Governor LePage regarding the continuing opposition of the Brunswick West Neighborhood Coalition to the location of the Downeaster Layover Facility. FreeportUSA concludes: "It is vital to our community that Amtrak be able to continue providing our only public transportation service.  Our organization is certain that any delay or disruption to service would be harmful to our local businesses, the Town of Freeport and our entire region." The full letter is below.

===FreeportUSA Letter===

August 19, 2014

Dear Governor LePage, 

I am writing today on behalf of FreeportUSA, a non-profit destination marketing association that represents more than 155 Freeport businesses.  We wish to express our enthusiastic support of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority.  The Amtrak Downeaster has had a positive impact on our community, and we encourage you to continue your support of this service that benefits our residents and guests, alike.

Freeport had been without a public transportation option for more than 10 years prior to November 2012.  As a favorite Maine destination to more than 3 million annual visitors, our office fielded thousands of calls from not only Boston and New York (where it’s not practical to have a car) but from international visitors who wished to make the trip once they landed.   Upon hearing that we could not offer any public transportation options, reactions were always filled with frustration and disbelief.  Shortly after Amtrak began service to Freeport, we stopped getting these calls.  

The Amtrak Downeaster has helped increase tourism through marketing campaigns that create compelling media about Freeport as a destination. Additionally, the Downeaster supports tourism by leveraging their marketing funds in support of regional and local efforts.  The response to the Downeaster service to Freeport has been positive, exceeding daily average ridership projections by 50%.

The Downeaster service is an asset to FreeportUSA and important to the future growth of both our organization and community. Last year, they supported Freeport’s Sparkle Celebration by providing two Polar Express-themed train excursions, which FreeportUSA used as a fundraising opportunity and an anchor event in attracting people to Freeport during the holiday shopping season. Special trips were created for Black Friday/Moonlight Madness, resulting in more than 100 shoppers arriving in Freeport between 10 p.m. and 2:30 a.m.

FreeportUSA offices are located at the Freeport Train & Information Center, so we are able to learn firsthand the appreciation that riders have for this service.  Residents and guests enjoy the safety, comfort, convenience and economic benefit of train travel.  Many Freeport residents regularly use the Amtrak Downeaster as their preferred method to commute/travel to Boston.  We frequently hear that the trains heading south to Boston are sold out, and that some travelers have learned it’s always important to purchase their tickets ahead of time.  Within our community, Amtrak has helped to alleviate traffic jams and parking shortages.

It is vital to our community that Amtrak be able to continue providing our only public transportation service. Our organization is certain that any delay or disruption to service would be harmful to our local businesses, the Town of Freeport and our entire region.  It is our hope that with your support, the Amtrak Downeaster will not only continue its service uninterrupted, but will be able to expand its schedule to meet the growing demand.

Sincerely, 

Kelly E. Edwards
Executive Director
FreeportUSA
PO Box 452, 23 Depot St.
Freeport, ME 04032

(207) 865-1212

www.freeportusa.com 

c.c.      U.S. Senator Angus King

            U.S. Senator Susan Collins

            U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree

            The Honorable Olympia Snow

            State Senator Stan Gersofsky, Senate District #10

            State Representative Peter Kent, House District #63

            State Representative Charles Priest, House District #65

            State Representative Mattie Daughtry, House District #66

            State Representative Sara Gideon, House District 106

            Commissioner David Bernhardt, Department of Transportation

            Carolann Ouellette, Director Maine Office of Tourism

            Chief of Staff John McGough

            Patricia Quinn, Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority

From Wayne Davis:

The letter below was sent to the editors of the multiple newspapers that printed "Downeaster does not merit $16M investment" by Bob Morrison - a member of the small but noisy group of citizens who live adjacent to a large piece of state-owned property that has been used as a "railyard" since the 1860's.  Anyone who has been following this issue for the past two years should find the response of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority's Executive Director, Patricia Quinn informative and refreshing after all of the misinformation  and "noise" that's been circulated since the FRA issued its "Finding of No Significant Impact" and directed the Rail Authority to proceed with the process.

Wayne Davis

====Letter from Patricia Quinn of NNEPRA below===

Aug. 15 — To the Editor:

The Letter to the Editor published on seacoastonline.com on Aug. 11 titled, "Downeaster does not merit $16M investment" uses distorted data and inaccurate assumptions to challenge not only the construction of a train layover facility in Brunswick, but the merit of Downeaster service and the credibility of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority that manages it. The author, Bob Morrison, lives in the neighborhood adjacent to the railroad in Brunswick, and is chairman of the group opposing the construction of a train layover facility planned to be built in the former rail yard site located across the tracks. As the executive director of NNEPRA, I believe it is important that information regarding the layover project, the Downeaster service and NNEPRA is presented accurately and in proper context.

Contrary to Mr. Morrison's accusations, the basic rules of business are at the forefront of every decision made by NNEPRA, including the decision to construct a $12.7 million facility (not a $16 million facility as reported in the editorial) on a site zoned mixed use, industrial railroad corridor, in Brunswick. The Brunswick layover will improve the operational efficiency, cost effectiveness and economic impact of the Amtrak Downeaster service by converting the two non-revenue equipment moves that currently operate between Portland and Brunswick each day to revenue trips between Brunswick and Boston. It will also enhance the safety and efficiency of the layover operation and improve the reliability of the entire service.

The Downeaster service is one of the most highly regarded in the Amtrak system, based on ridership and revenue growth and customer satisfaction. Currently, 10 Downeaster trains run daily between Portland and Boston, with only four of those trips extending to Freeport and Brunswick. Despite the constraint of limited service, ridership to Freeport and Brunswick is strong, exceeding projections by nearly 50 percent. When the layover is built and equipment moves can be converted to revenue trips, passengers will have more travel options, ridership and revenue will grow, and Mr. Morrison's observation that the schedule needs to be more convenient will be addressed.

Executive Director Patricia Quinn reported that FY 2013 was "the best ridership year ever. Ridership again broke records, exceeding 556,000 riders, which was a 5% increase over last year's record of 528,000." She continued, "Increases in ticket revenue were even more significant, exceeding $8.1 million, and surpassing the FY12 record of $7.4 million by 9%."

24th Annual Meeting Applauds the Scheduled Expanded Service

September 13th was a grand day for a celebration. Some 125 TRN members and friends gathered at the Harraseeket Inn in Freeport to celebrate the Nov 1st launch date of the expanded Downeaster service to Freeport & Brunswick.

Chairman Wayne Davis hosted an impressive list of speakers who addressed issues pertaining to passenger rail service in Maine, New England and the nation.

Senator Olympia Snowe, Maine's senior senator, lauded TRN chairman Wayne Davis' vision that initiated a long process that ultimately resulted in the successful launch of Downeaster service in 2001. (Since the US Senate was in session, she appeared electronically)

The public acceptance and use of the Downeaster continues to push ridership to new highs and continues to increase the value of this Amtrak service to the passengers and businesses along the route in Maine, NH & the Boston area. The efficient and enthusiastic management of the state's rail authority, led by Patricia Quinn at NNEPRA, was on display as they presented, in the Maine State Room at Portland City Hall, their Year End Report.

Ridership exceeded 528,000 passengers in FY 2012, 4% above last year and revenue hit $7.4 million for the twelve-month period. The details of NNEPRA's Year End Report are fascinating and validate the early vision of TRN in persuading the public and the legislature that a return of passenger rail service to Maine made sense. Build it and they will come! Freeport and Brunswick join the route in November.

The Board of Directors of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority voted unanimously on Monday to build their $4 million dollar passenger train maintenance facility on an 8-acre parcel near Bouchard Drive in Brunswick.  The consulting group hired by the Authority to evaluate 3 potential sites made their recommendations late last week, suggesting the Bouchard Drive property as their first choice because of its previous use as a rail yard for many years, its proximity to Maine Street Station and its cost effectiveness.

Patricia Quinn, Executive Director of the Rail Authority told reporters that she plans to create an advisory group to guide the design of the facility that would include the Consultants, NNEPRA staff, the Brunswick municipal planner and a member of the Board of Selectmen and several property owners living adjacent to the proposed facility.

The proposed 60,000 square-foot building will allow Amtrak to perform indoor maintenance and refueling work on the three train sets that operate the daily service.  The trains are expected to begin operating between Brunswick, Portland and Boston next autumn.

The Forecaster.com has a summary article on the process - go here.{jcomments on}

The exhibit train arrived in Freeport Friday afternoon the 12th in preparation for public viewing of the train on Saturday and Sunday, August 13-14.  The train, coupled with two PanAm business cars and an F40 PanAm locomotive, was painted in PanAm's stunning cobalt blue livery.

The very shiny and freshly painted Amtrak sections included a P-40 diesel-electric locomotive and a non-powered-control unit to allow push-pull operation.  Those units are arrayed in an historic Amtrak paint scheme.  The air conditioned Exhibit Train also includes three baggage cars that have been renovated and transformed into exhibition space through the addition of display cases.  The major events and achievements of Amtrak's four decades are conveyed through advertising materials, photographs, and other items.

When #682 arrived in Saco this morning, few knew that Maine's 'Track Star' was on board heading for another transportation meeting, this time in New Hampshire.

NNEPRA's Executive Director, Patricia Quinn, was appropriately labeled 'Maine's Track Star' in an article in MaineBiz.

Respected throughout New England and the entire Amtrak system, Ms. Quinn has accomplished much on behalf of the State of Maine, the Downeaster, its station communities and the passengers.

Read more in MaineBiz.{jcomments on}

With Downeaster expansion to Freeport and Brunswick scheduled to begin in late 2012, municipalities along the route are examining how to maintain and expand grade crossing 'quiet zones.'

The Federal Railroad Administration, working from guidelines established by the US Congress, has a set of criteria for such exemptions to the safety whistle requirement. It can be read here.

NNERPA Executive Director Patricia Quinn is quoted in a Press Herald article.{jcomments on}

The Amtrak Exhibit Train, celebrating 40 years of passenger rail service in the US, will be open to the public on August 13 and 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The train will be parked near the Community Center at Depot Street in Freeport.

The train contains historical memorabilia and exhibits, including a look at the future of High Speed Rail in America.

Representatives from TrainRiders/NE will be among those present to assist visitors with information about our organization and the successful growth of the Amtrak Downeaster. Come meet us and representatives from NNEPA, PanAm Railways, Maine Eastern Railroad, Amtrak and Operation Lifesaver.

Once this train departs, the next Amtrak train to arrive in Freeport and Brunswick will be the Downeaster in late 2012 as expanded service along the coast is inaugurated!

More here.{jcomments on}

July ridership/revenue figures were essentially flat when compared to July of 2009:

• Ridership: July, 2010 = 47,173 as compared to 47,441 for July of 2009 - down .2%
• Revenue: July, 2010 = $713,855 as compared to $715,317 for July of 2009 - down .6%
• On Time Performance still came in at a sub-par 62%

A potentially serious problem has arisen with the expansion project to Brunswick. In particular, Executive Director Patricia Quinn detailed an unanticipated construction issue at the August NNEPRA board meeting.

The welded rail, now being layed along the Pan Am tracks, requires temporary joint bars held in place by nuts and bolts. The FRA grant states that all materials must be manufactured in America.

From Vermont Rail Action Committee

Responding to support and advocacy from local political and business leaders and the Vermont Rail Action Network, the Vermont Agency of Transportation again submitted an application for federal funds to upgrade the "Western Corridor" between Rutland and Burlington and extend the Ethan Allen through Middlebury to Union Station in downtown Burlington.

The state had the benefit of feedback from the Federal Railroad Administration, which is responsible for awarding the funds.  Because of this feedback, the application includes money to improve highway grade crossings the length of the route.

The route was recognized by the legislature as the priority rail route in Vermont for investment.

"This is as strong an application as we could make and the local match shows the state's commitment," said Christopher Parker, Vermont Rail Action Network Executive Director.  "We appreciate the work of the rail program and the entire Agency of Transportation.  There is strong political support for this project and it is important for the state." (Christopher Parker is a member of the TRN Board.)

Read more at Vermont Rail Action Network's website.

From This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
TRN Board Member
Executive Director, Vermont Rail Action Network

A committed group of Essex Junction citizens has been active and has
made a big difference in the station area.

Train-related grassroots efforts which have been implemented in Essex
Junction over the past year include the following, according to Susana
Olson:

Aggressive Neighborhood Watch, the picking up of litter in the downtown
vicinity of the train tracks, the weeding, planting and watering of
flowers near the Amtrak station, the promotion of the Amtrak Vermonter's
special $12 fare online, in print, and via Seven Days' Stuck in VT vlog,
the creation and implementation of the first annual holiday Train Hop,
train-related programs at the Brownell Library, the creation of a very
successful weekly farmer's market immediately across the street from the
Amtrak station, a new event series on Railroad Avenue, and the leading
of special train day trips on the Vermonter including day trips to
Brattleboro as well as a "Train to the Game" event in Windsor.

 (August 2, Brunswick, ME) It was an enthusiastic gathering of federal, state, local and rail officials and advocates that celebrated the kick-off of the $35 million Downeaster expansion project to Freeport and Brunswick. Administrator Joseph Szabo of the Federal Railroad Administration congratulated the State of Maine and NNEPRA for becoming the first recipient of American Recovery & Reinvestment Act funds. He said, "Maine sets the example for the other states. You're going to be the very first of our rail projects to put rail into the ground."

Chairman Wayne Davis of TrainRiders/Northeast was congratulated by Marty Eisenstein, chairman of the NNEPRA board, as "an instrumental player in getting the train operating" back in 2001. TrainRiders began circulating petitions for passenger rail service back in 1989. It certainly didn't happen overnight...but it has happened.