DOWNEASTER

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The '''Downeaster''' is a 116-mile (187 km) passenger train route operated by Amtrak, connecting North Station in Boston, Massachusetts to Portland, Maine. In fiscal year 2006, it was Amtrak's fastest growing service, with overall ridership up 22.9% from the previous year.
No direct transfer exists in Boston between North Station and South Station (see North-South Rail Link), although passengers connecting to other Amtrak service south or west from Boston can use the Orange Line subway to Back Bay Station for free or a taxi to South Station. From Portland to Bangor, Concord Trailways operates Thruway Motorcoach service, scheduled to connect to the ''Downeaster'', and treated as one continuous route for ticketing purposes.
Amtrak uses the MBTA's Lowell Line from North Station to Wilmington Station, the Wildcat Branch to Wilmington Junction, and the Haverhill/Reading Line to Haverhill Station. From there to Portland it uses Pan Am Railways trackage. These were all part of the Boston and Maine Railroad - the part south of Wilmington Junction was once the main line and a branch of the Boston and Lowell Railroad, and the rest was the main line of the B&M.
If the ''Downeaster'' ran just over the Haverhill line there would have been a conflict with the local commuter rail, as the Downeaster needs to run express from Boston to Haverhill. The use of the Wildcat Branch to cross between the Lowell and Haverhill lines allows the Downeaster to pass a Haverhill train.

Contents

History

References

External links

History

The route of the ''Downeaster'' is similar to the route historically used by the ''Pine Tree'', which was a joint Boston & Maine / Maine Central train from Boston to Bangor. The primary difference is that a motorcoach carries passengers for the Portland-Bangor leg of the trip.
History of Portland's passenger rail services are covered under Portland (Maine) Union Station.

References

External links

★ Amtrak - Routes - Northeast - Downeaster

★ ''The Downeaster'' official web site

★ Downeastriders.us - A passenger's guide to Downeaster travel

★ TrainRiders Northeast - A non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to bringing modern and efficient passenger rail service to Northern New England.