Maine Eastern Railroad (MERR) Discussion

Last Passenger run of Maine Eastern. 51 seconds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-IGy75dLd8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Bummer. But at least you probably didn't encounter wet leaves on the rails on the stretch known as "Warren Hill." I've heard those are kind of a challenge sometimes.

I went on the last run on Sunday and we hit the leaves. It took a good 10 mins to get over the hill.

Has the successful contract been signed / published?

So is ME abandoning the whole stretch from Brunswick to Augusta? Has a notice went out yet or has the STB approved abandonment? Does anyone know what ME is planning to do with there equipment, especially the passenger sets?

jmar896 wrote:So is ME abandoning the whole stretch from Brunswick to Augusta? Has a notice went out yet or has the STB approved abandonment? Does anyone know what ME is planning to do with there equipment, especially the passenger sets?

MeDoT awarded the operating contract of the line to CMQ. ME isn't "abandoning anything", they're simply being shown the door. Their equipment is headed to NJ, where Morrisville & Erie (their parent company) is based.

There was apparently a chartered excursion on Friday (10/30), for one of the unions at BIW.
Today (Sunday morning), 489 and 764 went east with freight.
Word is that the Christmas special in Bath will be run, and the Rockland-Thomaston special that's held earlier in December is "possible." That's a quote from the MERR general manager, in the Wiscasset Newspaper.

NHV 669 wrote:

jmar896 wrote:So is ME abandoning the whole stretch from Brunswick to Augusta? Has a notice went out yet or has the STB approved abandonment? Does anyone know what ME is planning to do with there equipment, especially the passenger sets?

MeDoT awarded the operating contract of the line to CMQ. ME isn't "abandoning anything", they're simply being shown the door. Their equipment is headed to NJ, where Morrisville & Erie (their parent company) is based.

Any word about the most important asset; the employees? Will CMQ take them on? Will M&E "redeploy" them elsewhere?

NHV 669 wrote:

jmar896 wrote:So is ME abandoning the whole stretch from Brunswick to Augusta? Has a notice went out yet or has the STB approved abandonment? Does anyone know what ME is planning to do with there equipment, especially the passenger sets?

MeDoT awarded the operating contract of the line to CMQ. ME isn't "abandoning anything", they're simply being shown the door. Their equipment is headed to NJ, where Morrisville & Erie (their parent company) is based.

Oh, I was under the impression ME owned the Augusta branch. I also only thought the Rockland branch has a operating contract with CMQ starting the first of next year.

Sorry, it appears I misread your whole statement. Still a no, as the state owns both lines.

>Any word about the most important asset; the employees? Will CMQ take them on? Will M&E "redeploy" them elsewhere?

The temps and volunteers are going to be let go. The FTEs are going to NJ, per station personnel I spoke with 2 weeks ago.

jmar896 wrote:So is ME abandoning the whole stretch from Brunswick to Augusta? Has a notice went out yet or has the STB approved abandonment? Does anyone know what ME is planning to do with there equipment, especially the passenger sets?

M&E's intentions are pretty well spelled out in their press release:

http://www.merail.com/2015-09-04_MaineE ... elease.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

-otto-

The Lower Road from Brunswick to Augusta was not part of the RFP the state put out; my interpretation is that MeDOT is going to allow that to lie fallow rather than pay someone to maintain it for no immediate reason.

markhb wrote:The Lower Road from Brunswick to Augusta was not part of the RFP the state put out; my interpretation is that MeDOT is going to allow that to lie fallow rather than pay someone to maintain it for no immediate reason.

My impression as well.

markhb wrote:The Lower Road from Brunswick to Augusta was not part of the RFP the state put out; my interpretation is that MeDOT is going to allow that to lie fallow rather than pay someone to maintain it for no immediate reason.

Is it cheaper to mow/cut/spray the ROW periodically, or leave it abandoned and have to clear it? Say over 20 years...

BandA wrote:

markhb wrote:The Lower Road from Brunswick to Augusta was not part of the RFP the state put out; my interpretation is that MeDOT is going to allow that to lie fallow rather than pay someone to maintain it for no immediate reason.

Is it cheaper to mow/cut/spray the ROW periodically, or leave it abandoned and have to clear it? Say over 20 years...

Much cheaper to continue the spray and mow program. Large overgrowth and vegetation will damage drainage, culverts, track structure and other parts of the property. It can also cause flooding.