05/11/2008
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Staff photo by Joe Phelanfrom the Kennebec Journal
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A 779-mph ride of a lifetime
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As a child growing up in 1940s Michigan, he would watch trains zip back and forth, while his grandfather, a railroad operator, would go to work.
"I always loved trains, even as a kid," Morse said.
The Erie, Pa., man, who has traveled all over the globe by train, most recently added a rare itinerary in Maine under his belt. Morse was one of more than 100 people who climbed aboard the Maine Eastern Railroad to travel from Brunswick to the capital city of Augusta -- a passenger trip that has not been made since 1960.
The Maine Eastern Railroad regularly operates round-trips from Rockland to Brunswick seasonally, typically from May to October, with special holiday train service. Saturday's rare passenger trip, sponsored by the Maine Rail Group, the 470 Railroad Club and the Maine Eastern Railroad, was not only to give train enthusiasts a thrill, but to raise awareness to Maine citizens about the economic impact the railroad industry has on the state and how its pending expansion could benefit the state's economy.
The train departed early Saturday morning from Rockland's station, continued as far north into Augusta as it could, then returned to Hallowell, where the Maine Rail Group had their annual meeting at the City Hall.
The primary topic was the future of the railroad industry in Maine and how its expansion could boost the state's economy.
Gov. John Baldacci recently approved funding for the Downeaster train, which presently runs trips between Boston and Portland, to expand to Brunswick. The approval, according to Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority Executive Director Patricia Quinn, could mean more jobs and revenue for the state.
"The Downeaster is more than just a southern Maine train," Quinn said at the Maine Rail Group's annual meeting Saturday. "This is very much a regional transportation system."
The project, which would include two stations -- one in Freeport, one in Brunswick -- is projected to cost $31.5 million and could be operational as early as 2010.
The Brunswick station would open railroad access for passengers who want to travel further to Rockland, and a possibility of resurrecting the line from Brunswick to Augusta has been considered, Quinn said.
Quinn, who has called railroad travel a "lifeline for the state of Maine," said state residents consume 1.7 billion gallons of fuel in one year, and the price they pay "will only go up as gas prices do."
The Downeaster, which celebrated its biggest month of operation just last month with 42,000 riders, has generated more than $2.7 million in revenue, according to Quinn.
Economic benefits aside, the train was a welcome sight to many as it made its journey north to Augusta.
Along the 30-mile track, several bystanders were waiting for the train to chug by. People stood on their decks to wave to passengers. A slew of people with camcorders and cameras were waiting in Hallowell for the train's arrival.
The scenery was a rare treat for those who were able to book their tickets for the ride in enough time, as it was sold out several weeks in advance. The track winds around watersheds in Thomaston and Damariscotta, crosses the bridge near Wiscasset and finally bellies up against the Kennebec River as it snakes north into Richmond, Gardiner and Hallowell.
Morse, a self-professed "rare mileage enthusiast," said the daylong trip -- last traveled when he was 20 years old -- was worth the journey from his Pennsylvania home.
"Really, the rarity of this trip itself is the draw," he said.
Meghan V. Malloy -- 623-3811,
Ext. 431
mmalloy@centralmaine.com
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