Brunswick to Rockland ME Train Service

[AmtrakMaineiac]

The Midcoast Rail Service organization has disclosed its plans for introducing passenger service between Brunswick and Rockland ME. It looks like they are starting slowly with emphasis on group charters and operations during special events. This will be the first passenger service over this line since the Maine Eastern lost their operating rights im 2015.

Passenger rail revival plans announced for Rockland branch

ROCKLAND — Officials of Midcoast Railservice, which operates the state-owned Brunswick to Rockland railroad line, announced Monday, June 26, its plans for re-starting passenger service.

knox.villagesoup.com

 

[JWM]

Hopefully, this will lead to an upgrading of the line and an extension of the current "Downeaster" service. Anyone who has been stuck in US 1 traffic in season will understand my post.

 

[Maverickstation]

Thanks for posting this.

It sounds like this has been planned out very well, including having the Budd Car out on a publicity tour.

The Rockland Lobster Festival is a hyper popular event, so running shuttles to it will get the word out fast.

Happy 4th of July.

Ken

 

[AmtrakMaineiac]

Thanks for posting this.

It sounds like this has been planned out very well, including having the Budd Car out on a publicity tour.

The Rockland Lobster Festival is a hyper popular event, so running shuttles to it will get the word out fast.

Happy 4th of July.

Ken

Yes it seems that they are being very deliberate on ramping up this service, not rushing into it and using special events to test the waters.
Trains Magazine had a similar article

‘Coastliner’ RDCs to debut this weekend in Maine - Trains

BATH, Maine — The first stage of what Midcoast Railservice President Mike Smith says is a “sequential laboratory experiment” he expects to culminate in scheduled passenger service between Rockland and Brunswick, Maine, is set to begin this weekend at Bath Heritage Days. On display at Bath, about...

www.trains.com

 

[AmtrakMaineiac]

Midcoast Rail now has a web site advertising their rail excursions that will start in conjunction with the Rockland Lobster Festival.

Their RDC has been seen testing along the route in the last couple of weeks.

Coastliner Excursions

Maine’s natural world becomes more visible and meaningful from a comfortable train with a different perspective moving at less-than-highway speed. Try a little asphalt-free tourism on a relaxing ”Coastliner” excursion.

coastlinerexcursions.com

This on the "excursions" page was of interest:

Regular excursions are expected to commence in August with a morning departure from Rockland and afternoon return from Brunswick. A shorter midday reverse loop will encourage exploratory travel among the intriguing intermediate on-line communities of Bath, Wiscasset and Newcastle-Damariscotta.

 

[Rasputin]

I understand that the loss of this revenue will pretty much doom the Rockland Branch. Ride it while you can.

Longtime Maine cement plant to idle operations

Dragon, which has been owned by Giant Cement Holding, Inc. since 2006, has been in operation for nearly 100 years.

www.wabi.tv

 

[AmtrakMaineiac]

I understand that the loss of this revenue will pretty much doom the Rockland Branch. Ride it while you can.

Longtime Maine cement plant to idle operations

Dragon, which has been owned by Giant Cement Holding, Inc. since 2006, has been in operation for nearly 100 years.

www.wabi.tv

Yes it is going to be challenging to say the least for Midcoast to be able to get enough business to replace Dragon cement.
And the rail to trail people will be chomping at the bit to take over the right of way

 

[Rasputin]

I understand that aside from Dragon Cement, there is only one freight customer on the line east of Bath and that customer receives one car every two or three months.

 

[MARC Rider]

Well, the state purchased the branch once before to prevent abandonment, maybe they will need to do so again. There might not be much demand for freight service right now, but as an alternative to US 1 for passenger traffic, I think a case can be made for public ownership and real corridor service.

 

[Palmland]

Hopefully Midcoast Railservice have some marketing expertise and develop a transload terminal for building products and perhaps a bulk transfer for covered hoppers and tank cars if there is any agriculture or food products companies nearby.

 

[Rasputin]

Well, the state purchased the branch once before to prevent abandonment, maybe they will need to do so again. There might not be much demand for freight service right now, but as an alternative to US 1 for passenger traffic, I think a case can be made for public ownership and real corridor service.

The line is still owned by the State but that doesn't seem to mean much. A number of state-owned lines in Maine have had their tracks removed and the roadbed converted to the popular rails to trails.

 

[TimePeace]

I understand that aside from Dragon Cement, there is only one freight customer on the line east of Bath and that customer receives one car every two or three months.

Dragon in Thomaston recently announced it is shutting down and laying off 60

 

[Rambling Robert]

Just before and during the lobster fest of August 2, I called Amtrak to see if there was a schedule for a Rockland train. The agent double checked each time and found none to be found.

 

[Bembidion]

Yes it is going to be challenging to say the least for Midcoast to be able to get enough business to replace Dragon cement.
And the rail to trail people will be chomping at the bit to take over the right of way

From what I have seen on a video about the Falmouth, MA active rail branch, some of those rails to trails types are vultures. One of the absurd arguments is that converting an active rail line to a bike path is better for the environment. Yeah, like adding hundreds of trucks to the road is good?

 

[Jdub]

One possible opportunity is Rails With Trails. A bunch of sensitive people seem to think that cyclists are so stupid they will tangle with a moving train. Would you? Would you let your kid? Would trails designers offer that option? Absolutely not. Corridors for everything are hard to find. Cable networks, electrical connections, walkways, cycle routes--essentially every public access route--relies on a corridor. Often the only option is a rail line. Rails were set up a long time ago and have existed for many years. Rail lines got public support when they were establshed. If there is a way to add a parallel cycle route, why not?

 

[AmtrakMaineiac]

It appears that Midcoast is still pressing forward in spite of the planned closure of Dragon, looking to find other customers and still planning to continue with passenger service.

Operator of Maine Branchline Pushes Forward After Largest Customer Calls it Quits