From Wayne Davis

Safe Amtrak Downeaster Travel During the Pandemic

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

Host John MiddletonJohn 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

Boston & Maine History Books - Order Here

trainsbooksWelcome to our friends from the Trains Magazine weekly newsletter.

TrainRiders/Northeast is a grass roots organization formed in 1989 that initiated legislation that brought the Amtrak Downeaster to the Brunswick-Portland-Boston route thus restoring passenger rail service to Northern New England after a 40-year absence. Our Train Host program consists of volunteers who serve on board  the Downeaster as goodwill ambassadors, promoting patronage of "America's Favorite Train", providing passengers with travel and tourist information, assisting train crews in duties as requested by them and encouraging rail safety.

bmbookanimateYou can relive the days of the Boston & Maine Railroad by purchasing Robert Willoughby Jones' beautifully illustrated books - "City & Shore" and "Forest, River and Mountain". You'll see the 'Age of Steam', the arrival of the diesels, the Budd cars and the closure of this historic passenger rail service. All these photographs are interwoven with a thoroughly nostalgic narrative. They make the perfect holiday gift for you, your family and friends.

If you join and become a member, you'll receive a discount. These two books sell for more than $100 each on Amazon! Here at TrainRiders/NE, they are properly priced and the income goes to support our continuing efforts to upgrade and expand passenger rail service in Northern New England.

 Many thanks for your interest. Feel free to explore our site, read our newsletters and join TrainRiders/Northeast.

You can purchase these books by clicking on this link.

Amtrak Service Nationwide Under Assault by AMTRAK!

AndersonRichard 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!

Join or Donate to TrainRiders/Northeast

TrainRiders/Northeast Memberships and Donations

Supporting the continuation and expansion of passenger rail service in New England is our objective, and your active membership can go a long way in accomplishing this goal.

Below are some of the membership and donation options.  The Downeaster and other services are in your hands. We pledge to work diligently on your behalf with the Rail Authority, federal, state and local officials in order to keep passenger rail growing in New England.

If you wish to print out a membership application, click here.

Fifteen Dollar Student Membership ($15 annually) is available by using the Special Donation button. Click on the button and eventually it will ask you to add special instructions. Type 'Student.'

But why not save a stamp and an envelope, use your credit card now to join, renew or donate.

Individual
Membership - $45
Family
Membership - $65
Sponsoring
Membership - $110

Supporting

Membership - $250

Endorsing

Membership - $500

Sustaining

Membership - $1,000

Lifetime

Membership - $2,000

Special

Donation

Fifteen Dollar Student Membership ($15 annually) is available buy using the Special Donation button. Click on the button and eventually it will ask you to add special instructions. Type 'Student.'

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