Downeaster
| Amtrak's Downeaster | |
|---|---|
| |
| Numbers | Southbound Monday-Friday: 680, 682, 684, 686, 3688 (bus), 4688 (bus). Southbound Weekends: 690, 692, 694, 696. Northbound Monday-Friday: 681, 683, 685, 687, 3689 (bus), 4689 (bus). Northbound Weekends: 691, 693, 695, 697. |
| Route | Portland, ME Durham, NH Boston, MA |
| Distance | 116-mile (187 km) |
| Dates of operation | Dec. 15, 2001 – present |
| Track owners (non-Amtrak) |
Pan Am Railways |
Overview
The Downeaster is a 116-mile (187 km) passenger train route operated by Amtrak, connecting North Station in Boston, Massachusetts to Portland, Maine. In fiscal year 2006, it was Amtrak's fastest growing service, with overall ridership up 22.9% from the previous year.
No direct transfer exists in Boston between North Station and South Station (see North-South Rail Link), although passengers connecting to other Amtrak service south or west from Boston can use the MBTA Orange Line subway to Back Bay Station for free or a taxi to South Station. From Portland to Bangor, Concord Trailways operates Thruway Motorcoach service, scheduled to connect to the Downeaster, and treated as one continuous route for ticketing purposes.
Amtrak uses the MBTA's Lowell Line from North Station to Wilmington Station, the Wildcat Branch to Wilmington Junction, and the Haverhill/Reading Line to Haverhill Station. From there to Portland it uses Pan Am Railways trackage. These were all part of the Boston and Maine Railroad - the part south of Wilmington Junction was once the main line and a branch of the Boston and Lowell Railroad, and the rest was the main line of the B&M.
If the Downeaster ran just over the Haverhill line there would have been a conflict with the local commuter rail, as the Downeaster wants to run express from Boston to Haverhill. The use of the Wildcat Branch to cross between the Lowell and Haverhill lines allows the Downeaster to pass a Haverhill train.
Amtrak's Downeaster train service at Portland.
A Downeaster cab/baggage car.
Station stops
The Downeaster operates southbound as trains 680-696 and northbound as 681-697, making the following station stops:
- Wells
- Saco
- Old Orchard Beach (seasonal spring-fall service only)
- Portland
History
The route of the Downeaster is similar to the route historically used by the Pine Tree, which was a joint Boston & Maine/Maine Central train from Boston to Bangor. The primary difference is that a motorcoach carries passengers for the Portland-Bangor leg of the trip.
History of Portland's passenger rail services are covered under Portland (Maine) Union Station.
External links
References
