More than 50 attendees joined state and local leaders on Monday morning to celebrate the addition of a third Downeaster round-trip train from Brunswick and Freeport to Boston.
The service added a new late morning southbound departure and an early afternoon northbound departure from Boston.
Independent U.S. Sen. Angus King’s office said that Amtrak’s Boston-to- Brunswick rail service set ridership and revenue records from July to September. The rail service also reports one of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the Amtrak network.
Amtrak’s Downeaster has transported more than six million passengers since 2001 and brought in more than $90 million in ticket revenue.
The Portland Press Herald reported in January that Amtrak’s Downeaster service had rebounded from 2015, when its performance was beleaguered by service interruptions owing to construction delays and a harsh winter.
The expansion of service is possible thanks to a $13 million layover facility in Brunswick that will service Amtrak Downeaster trains overnight. The rail authority held an open house for the 60,000-square-foot facility last month, but it was to become fully operational on Monday.
The facility allows late-night trains to Brunswick to remain there overnight and head south again the following morning, rather than returning to Portland to overnight.
Consigli Construction built the facility. Project Manager Matt Tonello on Monday spoke of the jobs the major task created and the economic multiplier effect felt by local businesses serving the builders’ needs.
During Monday’s celebration, King recounted his first trip on the inaugural Downeaster in December 2001. Riding on a Downeaster, at any time, is a treat, according to King.
“It really knits our community together,” he said.
King lives not far from Brunswick Station.
“I hear that train whistle at quarter of seven in the morning, and sometimes at night,” King said. “It just feels right, it just feels like we’re connected.”
More than 600,000 passengers and more than 500 million miles have been served by the Downeaster line.
Often Mainers will attend Boston sports or cultural events. College students ride frequently as well.
“It’s a big economic engine for this area,” said Margo Knight, a former Brunswick town councilor.
She and her husband, David, stood outside in the chilly setting, a dusting of the season’s first snow making its entrance.
David Knight said traveling the Downeaster has it benefits.
“It’s just a very relaxing way to get to Boston,” he said.
Layover facility
• THE EXPANSION of service is possible thanks to a $13 million layover facility in Brunswick that will service Amtrak Downeaster trains overnight. The rail authority held an open house for the 60,000- square-foot facility last month, but it was to become fully operational on Monday.
TIMES RECORD Staff Writer Lisa Connell and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Times Record Sustaining Sponsor
We believe a community must be informed to thrive. bowdoin.edu
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less