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CSX Completes Purchase of PanAm Railways
- Details
- Created: 15 April 2022 15 April 2022
It's official! The Amtrak Downeaster will soon be running on CSX tracks from Brunswick to the NH/MA line as the US Surface Transportation Board approves the CSX Purchase of PanAM. Railway Age has a detailed report on the sale.
NNEPRA Executive Director Patricia Quinn has written, “This transaction and the physical and operational improvements CSX has indicated it will make, has the potential to sustain and enhance the safe operation of passenger and freight rail service in Maine and New Hampshire.
It also can preserve and protect the substantial financial investments which have enabled NNEPRA and its partners to achieve success to date and set the stage for even greater economic opportunities and public benefits in the future.”
FRA Grants $1.67 Billion to Amtrak for Covid Relief Funding
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- Created: 29 April 2021 29 April 2021
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has announced that Amtrak will use $1.67 billion to "offset the loss of ticket revenue that Amtrak uses to operate its train and maintain its infrastructure."
Nearly $1 billion ($969.4 million) will be allocated to the Northeast Corridor and the remaining $729 million will be focused on the National Network of state-sponsored routes (Maine's Downeaster service is an example) and long-distance intercity passenger routes.
There's more detail in Railway Age.
NNEPRA Expects Phase II of Resumption of Service Before the End Of July
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- Created: 01 July 2020 01 July 2020
At today's Operations Meeting, Executive Director Patricia Quinn said she expects three more roundtrips will be added to the Downeaster's schedule between Brunswick and Boston in the latter part of this month. The NNEPRA Board, which does not normally meet in July, will gather on July 15th to decide how best to proceed.
The determining factor will be the progress of the tie job between Exeter and the NH/MA line as Ms. Quinn wants to make sure that the additional service will perform well.
In addition to #680/681, trains #682/683, #684/685 and #688/687 are expected to be added. Once #688 arrives at North Station, it will not linger but head back to Maine as there is no late-night entertainment scheduled at the Garden. There is no date certain for this resumption of service. All trains will undergo extensive cleaning in the Brunswick Layover Facility.
All safety/protective measures will remain in place, social distancing upon boarding with mask and social distancing within the coaches (traveling at half capacity).
The stations along the line will determine in their own towns/cities as to how and when to open.