From Wayne Davis
Safe Amtrak Downeaster Travel During the Pandemic
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- Created: 25 October 2020 25 October 2020
What's it like to travel on the Amtrak Downeaster during the Covid-19 pandemic? In a few words, 'safe and comfortable.'
Wayne Davis took to the train to chat with the passengers about their experience and the conductors about the Covid protocols.
Ridership continues to grow, albeit not as fast as we'd like to see. Why not take a trip to NOWHERE, between Brunswick and Boston, just to get out of the house? The crews will be delighted to see you.
John Middleton Honored at Seacoast Trolley Museum
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- Created: 01 September 2020 01 September 2020
John Middleton's life of dedicated volunteer service was honored this past weekend at the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine.
He was on the board of the museum and also a Train Host for TrainRiders/NE and in charge of our membership list.
Wherever John served, he did it with enthusiasm and grace.
Several of our board members and Train Hosts were present as well as dozens of museum members.
The museum is a great place to visit, ride a heritage trolley and roam around their store.
Read more: John Middleton Honored at Seacoast Trolley Museum
Amtrak Service Nationwide Under Assault by AMTRAK!
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- Created: 17 May 2018 17 May 2018
Richard Anderson became president of Amtrak last July, and served as co-chief executive officer with retired railroad president Wick Moorman until last December, when he became the sole occupant of that position as well, serving without a salary. Prior to that, he had served as CEO at Delta Airlines from 2007-2016, when he became executive chairman at that company.
Mr. Anderson’s early messages seemed reasonable and even encouraging, recognizing the need for infrastructure improvements, better equipment, and higher speeds, as well as indicating that privatization of the service would probably not work. Now, however, his actions are causing rumblings among those, such as TrainRiders NE, who want passenger rail service to survive and thrive in this country. His steps include:
- Elimination of discounts for veterans and AAA members.
- Elimination of the Coastal Starlight Parlor cars (and calling for them to be sold as scrap to boot)
- Elimination of in-train tour guides on some western trains
- Elimination of private cars and private charter runs
- Proposed elimination and scrapping of the dome car which has joined the Downeaster for the past two years to much acclaim and popularity
- Elimination, starting on June 1 of dining cars on the Lake Shore Limited between Boston and New York City to Chicago, as well as on the Capitol Limited between Washington, DC and Chicago, leaving sleeping car passengers with “chilled” meals to eat in their compartments, (contemporary cuisine they’re calling it) and coach passengers will have access only to a café car for these overnight trains
Read more: Amtrak Service Nationwide Under Assault by AMTRAK!