Amtrak Downeaster Discussion Thread

[MEC407]

From the Portland Press Herald:

A Portland man died Tuesday night when he was struck by an Amtrak train near Morrill’s Corner.

Police say Brett Staples, 34, was hit by a train around 8:13 p.m. and taken to Maine Medical Center, where he later died of his injuries.

The Portland Police Department and Amtrak Railroad Police are investigating the incident. No charges have been filed, Portland police said.

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or have information to call 207-874-8535 or 207-874-8575.

Source: https://www.pressherald.com/2024/08/07/ ... -by-train/

[MEC407]

In happier Downeaster news:

The Amtrak Downeaster reported its highest ever ridership and revenue during the 2024 fiscal year, carrying nearly 600,000 riders between July 2023 and June 2024, rail officials said.

The line, which carries rail passengers from Brunswick to Boston, saw 598,426 riders over the fiscal year, said Natalie Bogart, deputy director of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, which oversees Downeaster service. This year’s ridership is about 4% higher than the previous record of nearly 575,000, set in 2019.
. . .
Bogart said the line also benefitted from a relatively low level of maintenance, which may have impacted service, during the year. She noted that much of the Downeaster’s route relies on a single strip of track, so maintenance issues can create significant bottlenecks or prompt closures.

Besides the overall increase in ticket sales, Bogart said the authority has seen a shift in commuting habits compared with before the pandemic. She said sales of multitrip passes, once a hallmark of the weekday commuter to Boston, have fallen to less than half their pre-pandemic levels.

“But we do think that people are traveling for business-related purposes and just not buying a monthly pass,” Bogart said. “They might be buying more one-way tickets.”
. . .
Bogart partly credited the strong ridership to the route’s staff, who she said have a reputation as among the friendliest on the Amtrak system. Customer satisfaction on the Downeaster was 90% for fiscal year 2024, she said.

Read more at: https://www.pressherald.com/2024/08/06/ ... scal-year/

[artman]

I'd like to to see the farebox numbers for 24 - could be approaching 60%...

[markhb]

I'd like to to see the farebox numbers for 24 - could be approaching 60%...

They'll probably be in the BoD packet for the August 26th Board Meeting.

[CSRR573]

Long day for all the Downeasters. I took 684 out of Portland this am. Due to the loco fire and signal/crossing issues, we got into boston just after 5pm. Almost 3 hours late and all train since are very behind

Got word that the loco fire was engine 108 (the 50 year Phase VI livery) and it was a turbo fire. Leaked photos say it's bad and 108 may be heading to Beach Grove for retirement.

She came into southampton the other night. If shes there when i get back to work sunday, ill do some investigating

[Railjunkie]

Long day for all the Downeasters. I took 684 out of Portland this am. Due to the loco fire and signal/crossing issues, we got into boston just after 5pm. Almost 3 hours late and all train since are very behind

Got word that the loco fire was engine 108 (the 50 year Phase VI livery) and it was a turbo fire. Leaked photos say it's bad and 108 may be heading to Beach Grove for retirement.

She came into southampton the other night. If shes there when i get back to work sunday, ill do some investigating

Sounds like something I may see soon enough on 449 in Albany not like the shop doesn't have enough work already.

[CSRR573]

108 is due out on 449 on 8/13. She looks a little toasty.

[STrRedWolf]

Was that the *roof* that melted? A carbon fiber roof?

[CPF66]

Aren't the roofs and other portions of the sheels on the P42's made of fiberglass to reduce weight? I am probably wrong on that, but I recall reading that.

[Railjunkie]

108 is due out on 449 on 8/13. She looks a little toasty.

Well then I should see her tonight. Wonder if Amtrak is going to give it to Rennselaer to see if it can work its magic. Guess I will find out when I get in this afternoon.

[MEC407]

North Berwick seems to be a cursed location for P42s. I forget what number this P42 was, but Amtrak did eventually rebuild it and put it back in service.

article-2013710-0CF86F0B00000578-218_634x422.jpg

2011071218284422379.jpg

[MRY]

The Genesis is also a monocoque design IIRC so probably a lot more difficult to repair, especially from heat related damage which will change the structural properties of the materials.

[Railjunkie]

The 108 is in Rennselaer the shop will work its magic and it will be out and about after they get all the other problem children fixed. It really isn't that bad damage wise. I've seen way worse roll in.

[Gilbert B Norman]

Mr. Junkie, could you get a photo of that engine to share here, or would that be too great a risk you'd be "standing in front of The Judge" (well, a certified letter) to hear your "sentence"?

[Railjunkie]

Mr. Junkie, could you get a photo of that engine to share here, or would that be too great a risk you'd be "standing in front of The Judge" (well, a certified letter) to hear your "sentence"?

Getting a photo may not be hard, they were moving her to the dead line last night as I was leaving. The challenge for me is moving it from my phone to the computer to the the website. Computers are not my thing, I just make big stuff stop and go.