Portal
Home
Calendar
Gallery
FAQ
Search
Register
Log inA ride on the rails
A ride on the rails
by Outspoken on Sun May 11, 2008 5:49 am
A ride on the rails
BY MEGHAN V. MALLOY
Staff Writer Morning Sentinel
ROCKLAND -- Trains are in Steve Morse's blood.
As a child growing up in 1940s Michigan, he would watch trains zip back and forth, while his grandfather, a railroad operator, would go to work.
"I always loved trains, even as a kid," Morse said.
The Erie, Pa., man, who has traveled all over the globe by train, most recently added a rare itinerary in Maine under his belt. Morse was one of more than 100 people who climbed aboard the Maine Eastern Railroad to travel from Brunswick to the capital city of Augusta -- a passenger trip that has not been made since 1960.
The Maine Eastern Railroad regularly operates round-trips from Rockland to Brunswick seasonally, typically from May to October, with special holiday train service. Saturday's rare passenger trip, sponsored by the Maine Rail Group, the 470 Railroad Club and the Maine Eastern Railroad, was not only to give train enthusiasts a thrill, but to raise awareness to Maine citizens about the economic impact the railroad industry has on the state and how its pending expansion could benefit the state's economy.
The train departed early Saturday morning from Rockland's station, continued as far north into Augusta as it could, then returned to Hallowell, where the Maine Rail Group had their annual meeting at the City Hall.
The primary topic was the future of the railroad industry in Maine and how its expansion could boost the state's economy.
Gov. John Baldacci recently approved funding for the Downeaster train, which presently runs trips between Boston and Portland, to expand to Brunswick. The approval, according to Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority Executive Director Patricia Quinn, could mean more jobs and revenue for the state.
"The Downeaster is more than just a southern Maine train," Quinn said at the Maine Rail Group's annual meeting Saturday. "This is very much a regional transportation system."
The project, which would include two stations -- one in Freeport, one in Brunswick -- is projected to cost $31.5 million and could be operational as early as 2010.
The Brunswick station would open railroad access for passengers who want to travel further to Rockland, and a possibility of resurrecting the line from Brunswick to Augusta has been considered, Quinn said.
Quinn, who has called railroad travel a "lifeline for the state of Maine," said state residents consume 1.7 billion gallons of fuel in one year, and the price they pay "will only go up as gas prices do."
http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/5048864.html
Staff photo by Joe Phelan
BY MEGHAN V. MALLOY
Staff Writer Morning Sentinel
ROCKLAND -- Trains are in Steve Morse's blood.
As a child growing up in 1940s Michigan, he would watch trains zip back and forth, while his grandfather, a railroad operator, would go to work.
"I always loved trains, even as a kid," Morse said.
The Erie, Pa., man, who has traveled all over the globe by train, most recently added a rare itinerary in Maine under his belt. Morse was one of more than 100 people who climbed aboard the Maine Eastern Railroad to travel from Brunswick to the capital city of Augusta -- a passenger trip that has not been made since 1960.
The Maine Eastern Railroad regularly operates round-trips from Rockland to Brunswick seasonally, typically from May to October, with special holiday train service. Saturday's rare passenger trip, sponsored by the Maine Rail Group, the 470 Railroad Club and the Maine Eastern Railroad, was not only to give train enthusiasts a thrill, but to raise awareness to Maine citizens about the economic impact the railroad industry has on the state and how its pending expansion could benefit the state's economy.
The train departed early Saturday morning from Rockland's station, continued as far north into Augusta as it could, then returned to Hallowell, where the Maine Rail Group had their annual meeting at the City Hall.
The primary topic was the future of the railroad industry in Maine and how its expansion could boost the state's economy.
Gov. John Baldacci recently approved funding for the Downeaster train, which presently runs trips between Boston and Portland, to expand to Brunswick. The approval, according to Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority Executive Director Patricia Quinn, could mean more jobs and revenue for the state.
"The Downeaster is more than just a southern Maine train," Quinn said at the Maine Rail Group's annual meeting Saturday. "This is very much a regional transportation system."
The project, which would include two stations -- one in Freeport, one in Brunswick -- is projected to cost $31.5 million and could be operational as early as 2010.
The Brunswick station would open railroad access for passengers who want to travel further to Rockland, and a possibility of resurrecting the line from Brunswick to Augusta has been considered, Quinn said.
Quinn, who has called railroad travel a "lifeline for the state of Maine," said state residents consume 1.7 billion gallons of fuel in one year, and the price they pay "will only go up as gas prices do."
http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/5048864.html
Staff photo by Joe Phelan
"Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything."
Plato (427-347 BC)
Plato (427-347 BC)
