Snow Storm Mangles Downeaster Schedule
- Details
- Created: 03 February 2011 03 February 2011
Snow in the winter is to be expected, but five Wednesdays in a row?
The Downeaster struggled valiantly to maintain some semblance of service between Portland and Boston. Thanks to the crews, passengers were able to make their destinations but with serious delays.
A morning train from Portland was seen in Saco heading north at 5:50 p.m! Was this the train that was down for a long time because its horn failed and needed replacement? Train #687, which had absorbed #685's passengers, was running 35 minutes late (not bad considering the conditions) as it passed through Saco - frozen doors were a constant challenge to the crews. Not easy to exit through a half-opened door.
From Bob Hall in New Hampshire:
A real tough day for the Downeaster Service. It is more than just the snow that fell today. Our equipment is getting tired, real tired of Winter. I compliment the crews who take it day after day first with equipment that is frozen works sometimes and passengers that are frustrated from long waits and crazy schedules.