Amtrak Downeaster Discussion Thread

[BM6569]

Update posted by Trainriders NE yesterday. Ridership and revenue continues to grow for the third quarter of FY2014. Kennebunk is looking to have a seasonal stop by 2015 and the goal for the hotel train is 2015.

This was posted about the track work:

"But the Downeaster is now dealing with an unexpected challenge to ridership/revenue/on-time-performance as significant speed restrictions (27 miles worth) have been put on the PanAm section of their route from Brunswick to the Massachusetts state line. This is the result of an FRA Geometry car inspection which detailed serious track safety issues. it was determined that heavy snow melt had destabilized the roadbed. NNEPRA has now cancelled trains #683 & #686 for the remainder of the week. Ms. Quinn said, "It will likely take several weeks until we get back to where we were." PanAm crews are working to eliminate these 'slow orders' a quickly as possible."

http://trainridersne.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[MEC407]

From The Portland Press Herald:

Since the weather damage was discovered by an FRA geometry car, an automated track-inspection vehicle, commute times for the trains still running have been extended by up to 53 minutes, Davis said. The reason is that rail officials have issued “slow orders” for the damaged areas, requiring the trains, which normally run at up to 80 miles per hour, to slow down to a low as 10 miles per hour, he said.
. . .
The two temporary train cancellations will give Pan Am Railways work crews more time to repair the damage, he said. The damaged portion of the track is owned by Pan Am.

Since repair work began Monday, time delays have been getting shorter as crews continue to repair and stabilize roughly 27 noncontiguous miles of affected track, Davis said.

Read the rest of the article at: http://www.pressherald.com/news/Amtrak_ ... sues_.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[MEC407]

From the Bangor Daily News:

Patricia Quinn, executive director of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, said in a phone interview Tuesday that the Federal Railroad Administration has placed “slow orders” on around 27 miles of Pan Am Railways track — running from the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border to Maine — in about 25 different spots.

“The fact that some are in areas of track where the train [normally] goes 70 mph, it’s really impacting the time,” Quinn said. “It’s hard to tell how long [repairs] are going to take.”
. . .
Quinn said the railroad authority decided to cancel those trips because delays in its Portland-Boston trip at 2:35 p.m. would bring the train too late to make the 5:40 p.m. return trip from Boston on time. The track safety problems have delayed trains 30 to 40 minutes each way.

Read the rest of the article at: http://bangordailynews.com/2014/05/06/b ... k-defects/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[MEC407]

Video from WMTW-8:

http://www.wmtw.com/news/winter-weather ... s/25840448" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Dick H]

Several news reports pointing the finger at a "train" for
setting multiple fires along the tracks between Old
Orchard and Scarborough. Fire was reported to the
OOBFD at 1:24 PM. Amtrak status board shows #684
departing ORB at 1:06PM and SAO at 1:15PM.

There was one comment that a PAR freight train was
being held at Scarborough for "inspection". It would
"appear" that an eastbound freight met #684 at CPF
211 and then headed east and is the likely culprit.
A DE "spokesman" said that they did not believe a
Downeaster was responsible for the fire.

[markhb]

From the Press Herald:

Patricia Quinn, executive director of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, said an Amtrak Downeaster train passed through Old Orchard Beach around 1 p.m., but was not connected to the fires.

“We have no indication that the Downeaster train caused any kind of fire,” she said.

The next Downeaster train is not expected to travel through Old Orchard Beach until around 7:15 p.m. and officials do not anticipate delays at this point, Quinn said.

Cynthia Scarano, executive vice president of Pan Am Railways, which owns the tracks, said a single locomotive was following the Downeaster and has been stopped near Portland. She said officials are on their way to investigate the train to determine if it sparked the fires.

[nomis]

Looks like May 17th & 18th is the next MBCR Bridgework Weekend
http://www.amtrakdowneaster.com/deals

Try The Train for $10: Try the Amtrak Downeaster for just $10 each way on May 17-18, 2014. Up to 2 children (ages 2-12) can ride for half price on Saturday and FREE on Sunday* with each $10 adult ticket. This promotion is valid for travel between Brunswick, ME and Haverhill, MA or points in between on trains 691, 692, 694, 695, 698, or 699 only. *This offer is only combinable with v581, Downeaster Kids Ride Free Offer.

[Stmtrolleyguy]

Parking at the garage in Haverhill is only $4 (Up to 18hours, $8 for 24/hours), and its right across the street, connected to the station via pedestrian bridge. (Since you can't get there via train.) I've been tempted to go for the ride, since I still haven't been to Brunswick.

[twropr]

Does anyone know whether the slow orders are based on deteriorating rail, ties or low surfaces?

Andy

[BM6569]

Has to do with the roadbed

[ThirdRail7]

It looks like 683 and 686 are back on the beam. The biggest delay seems to be in the 40 min with most falling in the low to mid 20 min range.

Thank goodness the heat restrictions aren't in effect.

[b&m 1566]

Are these slow orders going to be addressed or is it already being taken care of?

[Dick H]

DE Arrivals 5/12

Boston
680 23 late
682 23 late
684 40 late
686 18 late
688 One hour late

681 BRK 19 late
683 POR 20 late
685 BRK 15 late
687 POR 34 late
699 POR 22 late (1:57AM)

[gokeefe]

Are these slow orders going to be addressed or is it already being taken care of?

As Dick H notes, already being taken care of. Apparently in relatively short order especially considering commitments elsewhere on PARs system.

[Dick H]

Some slight improvement today on Boston arrival times,
as 680-682-684 and 686 were between 18 and 33 minutes late,

Eastbound, 681, 683 and 685 were between 16 and 27 minutes
late into BRK/POR. A tamper and regulator worked between
Wells and Biddeford most of the day with some upgrades given.

But, the evening fell apart when a broken rail was found in the
crossing at Saco Main St., just east of the station. Track Dept.
walked #687 and #688 over the break, but #687 was 61 minutes
late into Portland and #688 is estimated 80 minutes late into BON.
An eastbound freight will be walked over the break after 10PM.
Unknown if repairs will be made during the night or in the AM.
Broken rails in crossings often require extra work with pavement
removal/replacement, crossing protection and traffic issues.
Saco Main St. (Route #9) sees heavy traffic to/from Biddeford.

I just noticed today that NNEPRA has raised the Business Class
extra fare from $8 to $9. #682 shows sold out to Boston Wed 5/14.