David Swirk Brings Conway Scenic to Our 35th Annual Meeting
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- Created: 10 June 2024 10 June 2024
David Swirk, President and General Manager of Conway Scenic Railroad, headquartered in North Conway, runs a successful heritage train system in New Hampshire. With multiple trainsets and engines, including a steam locomotive, utilizing the NH portion of the Mountain Division that B&M operated from Portland to North Conway, the railroad hauls 160,000 tourists annually through the breathtaking White Mountains.
Rehabbing the NH section of the Mountain Division was a challenging but successful undertaking. Battling this year's ferocious storms that left deep scars in the well-maintained trackage was another challenge overcome by Mr. Swirk and his team at Conway Scenic. Adding the winter Snow Train has kept North Conway on the visitor's list year-round. At our meeting, Mr. Swirk showed a video about the winter train and the impressive work of keeping the tracks up-to-snuff, something that the railroad did primarily with its own equipment and employees.
Mr. Swirk is always on the lookout for expansion opportunities. Recently, Conway Scenic acquired VIP Tour & Charter Company to, among other things, move cruise ship passengers from Portland Harbor to North Conway for a rail excursion and return.
The Maine section of the Mountain Division had been in Mr. Swirk's sights as well. But recently, Maine's governor signed legislation that would rip up those tracks for a trail. The state is waiting for removal cost proposals. TrainRiders testified in opposition to that legislation, seeking to preserve the rail right-of-way for future use with the trail located alongside the tracks, not replacing them. That was not to be, but both TrainRiders and Mr. Swirk continue in their attempts to return rail operations to that line before the tracks are torn up away.
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NNEPRA's Patricia Quinn Outlines Goal of New Portland Station
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- Created: 07 June 2024 07 June 2024
NNEPRA Executive Director Patricia Quinn, appearing at our 35th Annual Meeting, presented her 'Downeaster by the Numbers.' Ridership during the last 12 months was 585,000 - record growth! The Pandemic is definitely in the rearview mirror. Can 600,000 be far behind?
It was the proposed new Portland Station that took center stage. Patrica detailed the impacts associated with the current Transportation Center stop as she listed the annual passenger inconvenience and financial costs associated with the move to and from the current station.
Her summary was beyond convincing, "In CY 2023, 125,000 passengers experienced the 15-minute backup move into Portland Station. This collectively wasted 31,250 hours of passenger time, 3,650 hours of crew overtime and consumed 8,600 gallons of fuel. That total cost is $973,000 annually!"
NNEPRA and MeDOT are zeroing in on three possible sites along the mainline. Final evaluation has selected number 3 as the preferred location. The station will have customer parking for 101 cars. A detailed report on this project can be found on the NNEPRA website.
NNEPRA's other goals:
- Implementation of 'Positive Train Control' which will allow increased frequency of train service.
- Continue work on the double tracking at Wells and the addition of a northbound platform.
- Examine a new stop in Falmouth.
- The much anticipated pilot project service between Brunswick and Rockland this summer (NNEPRA, Amtrak and the MeDOT are in discussions).
The Downeaster is one of Maine's success stories, thanks in large part to TrainRider/Northeast's vision and NNEPRA's creative and professional management!
TrainRider/Northeast - Changing the Way New England Travels.
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Steve Pesci, UNH Director of Special Projects, Takes Pride in UNH's Transportation Systems
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- Created: 17 May 2024 17 May 2024
Steve Pesci began his presentation with a fascinating bit of UNH train history: "In the early 1900s, passenger rail was the key factor in the early development of Durham and the UNH campus. Following a derailment, the B&M tracks were relocated westward to a new alignment and an underutilized East Lynn, MA station was moved by the railroad to its current location." (Later in the 1970s, UNH would buy the station for $1!)
Mr. Pesci told attendees that the period between 1967 and 2001 was known as the 'Dark Period' as passenger rail was discontinued throughout much of New England. The rail station deteriorated and by the late 1990s, the station was sealed in with chain link fencing – unstable and untended. Today, the refurbished UNH stop boasts a pleasant shaded outdoor waiting area for students and town residents as they await their train or bus. The station Dairy Bar, a must-stop on campus, serves up healthy sandwiches, ice cream, and super milkshakes.
The Downeaster at UNH began as a mere Friday through Monday stop in 2001. In the fall of 2003, when student use increased substantially, the 'little station that could' went full-time. From an initial annual ridership of some 8,000 students to an impressive 53,292 passengers in the last 12 months, the Downeaster has become part of the university's infrastructure for students and faculty. In 2023, the station celebrated its 1 millionth passenger on the Amtrak Downeaster!
The UNH transportation options are impressive. Students can ride the Wildcat bus system throughout campus and on to neighboring cities at no cost, while the Downeaster provides service to Boston and as far north as Brunswick, with multiple stops in between. Thanks to Steve Pesci's leadership, UNH has campus transportation figured.
TrainRiders/Northeast - Changing the Way New England Travels.
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