Downeaster Trackwork & Upgrades

Are there any upgrades needed or planned between BRU and Rockland (that might either lead, lag, or be bundled with weekend DE service)? Massachusetts spend quite a bit on upgrades loosely connected to Cape Flyer service. Would Maine do the same?

Arlington wrote:Are there any upgrades needed or planned between BRU and Rockland (that might either lead, lag, or be bundled with weekend DE service)? Massachusetts spend quite a bit on upgrades loosely connected to Cape Flyer service. Would Maine do the same?

No trackwork at all. Stations may need some sprucing up but that appears minimal.

I was on the Maine Eastern one of its last runs. While the speed was not 79mph, it wasn't slow either, we got to Rockland pretty quickly. That was only two years ago so as George says the trackwork is probably OK.

What was the MAS on Maine Eastern to Rockland?
Somewhere in the 40-50 mph range?

60 MPH (FRA Class 3) in the best locations. 35-40 MPH on the very tightest curves and even less through the crossings in Thomaston. Still faster than Route 1 with summer weekend traffic.

59mph no ABS

Lots of ties need replacing.

690 wrote:Lots of ties need replacing.

I would be interested to hear what is meant by "lots" and also in terms of locations.

Might be a good idea to send Corridor Clipper on a round trip to Rockland and back to get a "true" condition of the Track,
or one of the FEDDOT's Track Geo cars.

Took a NEREX track car trip from Rockland to Wiscasset and return this past June. The track condition was immaculate due to lack of frequent use. See attached photos.

Here's the latest from Royal Siding.

We'll see if that named Control Point makes it into the time table...

The 11/14/17 Brunswick RR Noise Reduction workshop was held which "...included comments and presentations from rail officials representing Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, Amtrak, Pan Am Railways, the Federal Railroad Administration and the Maine Department of Transportation..."

Seems Brunswickians have a # of issues with Amtrak and PAR but the mediation will cost the town $$, which further displeases the residents. The one positive note in the meeting is that PAR VP Cyndi Scarano said an interlocking part that will enable the east end of the Downeaster layover facility to be accessed is expected to be installed by 12/22/17.

http://www.theforecaster.net/quiet-zone ... be-costly/

It is worth noting that the Town has known all along that the train was coming and that trains make noise at crossings.

Other towns nearby, most notably Freeport, took care to deal with this issue without further complication.

So a switch will be installed so trains coming from further up the line could pull into facility?