Brunswick-Rockland passenger trains?

[Andrew Toppan]

Amwreck Killed the Maine Eastern and they will kill this as well! They hate superior competition!
Mike

Maine Eastern was gone (because the state chose a new operator) years before there was any discussion of Amtrak operating to Rockland.

[Benjamin Richards]

The saga continues...

https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/maine-dot-proposes-3-million-for-pilot-of-brunswick-rockland-rdc-service/

Although this quote is inspiring:
"Most passenger rail startups consume cash by beginning with a ridership study, but that isn’t happening here. As Midcoast’s Smith puts it, “We can just run the damn service and see if it works!” "

[Jeff Schumaker]

It will be interesting to see how successful they are at attracting riders. I would consider using this service, if I come up in the summer.

Jeff

[Bob Holmes]

BTW, American Steel appears to have been connected as a run-through to the Rockland branch.  There also seems to be increased frequency of trains on the line.  Anyone know more??

[James Patten]

I know that Dragon Cement can no longer ship out of Rockland, so instead it has to go to Brunswick and out to the greater world from there.  I'm sure that's the reason for the increased traffic west of Thomaston.  There's some covered hoppers in the Newcastle siding that have been there a few weeks - hopefully they aren't being stored there!

[John McNamara]

I can remember when tickets were divided into sections that the conductor punched and tore off. As soon as we can establish a Sheepscot to/from Wiscasset bus connection, those of us in the Boston area can be through-ticketed to Trout Brook.
-John M

[John Kokas]

Might be a business opportunity for a small "jitney" service.

[Ted Miles]

I rode the Maine Eastern down the Rockland Branch several years ago. It was a great ride; and I was pleased to see the Diesel being turned on the Rockland turntable.

Later we went to the lighthouse museum and had a nice lobster lunch.

Ted Miles, WW&F Life Member

[Pete Stevens]

Update on Brunswick-Rockland service:

"...the Brunswick-Rockland service will launch in about a month and run Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The train car, powered by a diesel engine, has restrooms, air conditioning and “bigger windows than Amtrak,” Betke said. A second 76-seat train car is expected soon after the service launches. Ticket prices are still being determined.

Midcoast Railservice, Amtrak and the Maine Department of Transportation have discussed using the Coastliner to extend Amtrak service from the Brunswick Visitor’s Center to Rockland, possibly next year."
https://www.pressherald.com/2023/08/09/brunswick-rockland-train-line-launching-weekend-service/?fbclid=IwAR2XZM7k0nYdhi721rYXGyiEEi5s7F5rYSbtxXYuHXYQ7jr8QuIB5OeCQAw

[Dave Crow]

Sorry for a message on this old thread, but the following article popped up in Mass Transit Daily today:

[url]https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/news/55235115/me-maine-seeks-new-operator-to-revive-rockland-branch-rail-line?o_eid=7888G7378167C2R&rdx.ident[pull]=omeda|7888G7378167C2R&utm_campaign=CPS241014066&utm_medium=email&utm_source=MASS+NewsViews+Newsletter]

https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/news/55235115/me-maine-seeks-new-operator-to-revive-rockland-branch-rail-line?o_eid=7888G7378167C2R&rdx.ident[pull]=omeda|7888G7378167C2R&utm_campaign=CPS241014066&utm_medium=email&utm_source=MASS+NewsViews+Newsletter

Dave Crow

[Benjamin Richards]

This is going to be a hard sell. The projected freight traffic is mostly incidental. Come to think of it, even the 30 cars a week from Dragon Cement was pretty far from Blanchard's Rule of 100.

I like the idea of commuter service to BIW, but I'm curious as to where all these folks are going to park in Brunswick.

[James Patten]

Commuter service from the east would be even better, IMO.  There's several different park and rides along Route 1.  Of course then you need to find a good place for some large parking lots.

[Bruce Wilson]

I remember a "park and ride" style lot alongside Route One, not far from where the Taste of Maine restaurant was located. This was during the Maine Coast Railroad operations.

[James Patten]

There's one in Waldoboro, Newcastle, and by Taste of Maine.  I believe the Taste of Maine one is where BIW busses pick them up.  The others, of course, are for carpooling.

[Mike Fox]

This just in...

https://www.midcoastvillager.com/news/five-offer-proposals-to-run-rockland-rail-line/article_9c31d236-a5e2-11ef-9430-9bb6c5afe085.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawGqEJlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHePQ4CLxx0bAI9YHvOWi3wSfrlTA0fD9wgj09YXbk3wS1NpmPV8A5sQsiw_aem_cdhxOlbJU4sdFIi5XxcoPw