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November 01. 2012 8:55PM
The Amtrak Downeaster passenger rail line celebrated expanded service on Thursday with "Whistle Stops" in each of the communities where it makes stops, including this stop in Durham. (GRETYL MACALASTER/Union Leader Correspondent)
Amtrak Downeaster kicks off new route to Freeport and Brunswick, Maine, with a party
The Amtrak Downeaster passenger rail line celebrated expanded service on Thursday with "Whistle Stops" in each of the communities where it makes stops, including this stop in Durham. (GRETYL MACALASTER/Union Leader Correspondent)
DURHAM - The Amtrak Downeaster train celebrated its inaugural day of transport to Freeport and Brunswick, Maine, in style on Thursday.
At each stop from North Station in Boston to Freeport, the Maine Dancers got out and performed, cake was served and state and local dignitaries made brief presentations.
Durham Town Administrator Todd Selig was one of the first 250 riders to take part in the inaugural trip.
New Hampshire Transportation Commissioner Christopher Clement was also on board.
The expansion to Freeport, home to L.L. Bean's flagship store and outlet shopping, and to Brunswick, home of Bowdoin College and Brunswick Landing, fulfills the original vision for the passenger rail service, which launched between Portland and Boston on Dec. 15, 2001.
Selig said the Downeaster has been good for the town of Durham and the University of New Hampshire campus, where about 53,000 people get on and off the train each year. The total number of Downeaster passengers is expected to grow by an additional 36,000 passengers with the expanded service.
The Downeaster serves eight communities between Boston and Portland, Maine, including Old Orchard Beach, Saco and Wells in Maine; Dover, Durham and Exeter in New Hampshire; and Haverhill and Woburn in Massachusetts.
Last year, 528,292 passengers rode the Downeaster, according to numbers provided by Selig.
The expansion was made possible through $38.3 million in federal stimulus dollars, which was used to improve 30 miles of track and rehabilitate 36 crossings between Portland and Brunswick.
The state of Maine also spent a half-million dollars to install train platforms in Freeport and Brunswick.
Selig said the rail is also helping communities like his along the way. He said it has been a selling point for economic development in town, and has proven attractive to students, both for regular commuting and for weekend trips into the city.
Exeter is the state's most popular Downeaster stop with more than 90,000 riders last fiscal year.
Gretyl Macalaster may be reached at gmacalaster@newstote.com.
At each stop from North Station in Boston to Freeport, the Maine Dancers got out and performed, cake was served and state and local dignitaries made brief presentations.
Durham Town Administrator Todd Selig was one of the first 250 riders to take part in the inaugural trip.
New Hampshire Transportation Commissioner Christopher Clement was also on board.
The expansion to Freeport, home to L.L. Bean's flagship store and outlet shopping, and to Brunswick, home of Bowdoin College and Brunswick Landing, fulfills the original vision for the passenger rail service, which launched between Portland and Boston on Dec. 15, 2001.
Selig said the Downeaster has been good for the town of Durham and the University of New Hampshire campus, where about 53,000 people get on and off the train each year. The total number of Downeaster passengers is expected to grow by an additional 36,000 passengers with the expanded service.
The Downeaster serves eight communities between Boston and Portland, Maine, including Old Orchard Beach, Saco and Wells in Maine; Dover, Durham and Exeter in New Hampshire; and Haverhill and Woburn in Massachusetts.
Last year, 528,292 passengers rode the Downeaster, according to numbers provided by Selig.
The expansion was made possible through $38.3 million in federal stimulus dollars, which was used to improve 30 miles of track and rehabilitate 36 crossings between Portland and Brunswick.
The state of Maine also spent a half-million dollars to install train platforms in Freeport and Brunswick.
Selig said the rail is also helping communities like his along the way. He said it has been a selling point for economic development in town, and has proven attractive to students, both for regular commuting and for weekend trips into the city.
Exeter is the state's most popular Downeaster stop with more than 90,000 riders last fiscal year.
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Gretyl Macalaster may be reached at gmacalaster@newstote.com.
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