Hi.
i just saw a slide of an F40NPCU with the lettering “Amtrak Downeaster” on it. What does that mean? Is that an Corridor or special route like the NEC?
Thanks, Micha
The Downeaster started in 2001 I believe, running from Portland ME to Boston after several years of lobbying by the state of Maine. Not sure how profitible it is, but there seems to be a fairly consistent ridership, and it seems to fit the model of a modern intercity passenger service that can both meet the needs of the consumer and be profitable.
The Airport in Portland is at best regional and rather expensive to use, tacking on anywhere from $200-$500 a trip depending on destination and times. Much cheaper to fly from Logan in Boston. So many folks will either take the bus or drive to Boston. The Amtrak station and bus depot are co-located in Portland with a long term parking lot. The train will drop you at South St Station which has regular bus or taxi service to Logan. In all with check in and such, it takes about the same amount of time as flying.
Also with the northward expansion of Boston through New Hamshire and into Maine, there are many who live North and commute to Boston several times a week. Really it’s no worse than living in CT and communting to NYC for the most part.
I never rode it, but normally it had a F40 Cab/baggage on one end, coaches, food service and a p32/42/103 (I honestly can’t tell the difference) at the other and it runs over the Guilford to Boston a couple of times a day. t makes a couple of stops year round, and in the summer a couple more at the quaint little, expensive resort towns…Kennebunkport, etc.
Now if they could figure out a away to tack on a couple of well cars to carry UPS/USPS trailers…
On second thought I guess the F40 is a cabbage car…Here’s a link that has some decent pics of the consist.