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State of Maine seeks operators for former Maine Central Rockland Branch
It’s probably a done deal with M&E/MERR remaining the operating rail company and this bidding process is just because it’s a state requirement. The reason M&E/MERR will remain the operator is that they already have a separate lease for the Brunswick to Augusta line which is needed to move the cement loads from Dragon Cement to Canada I believe.
The line tp Agusta goes north from Brunswick. This is the line to the east. They meet in Brunswick.
Bob, the Dragon cement loads have to go south to Brunswick on the coast line before they can go north thru Augusta to Canada. Presently the M&E/MERR operate both lines
Unless things have recently changed (and in Maine, happily, rail is continuously in a mostly positive state of flux) the Brunswick-Augusta former Maine Central “Lower Road” route is basically dormant, despite the Maine Eastern’s theoretical operating rights. There may be a few customers near Brunswick, but I believe there has been no regular service straight through Augusta for over a decade.
In downtown Augusta part of the mainline was gravelled over for expanded parking, although the rail remained under the fill to potentially allow restoration in a better world. If this remains the case any through shipments would have to go via the Brunswick-Portland line to its junction with the former Maine Central mainline to Bangor. Pan American/Guilford has been serving its Augusta area customers by using the stub of the “Lower Road” coming down from the north.
Disregarding the status of the “Lower Road”, I believe the Maine DOT is very sincere in seeking proposals for the line. The current operator has gradually cut back passenger operations to just a few weekends, and the state remains interested in the possibilty of a DOWNEASTER connection (extension?). Indeed Amtrak actually ran a one-time only inspection train to Rockland last year. I would not be at all suprised to see an Iowa Pacific bid as well as the Morristown and Erie interests.
Mr. Fowler is correct in most aspects of his post. I live in Gardiner and run on the rail trail that is adjacent to the lower road from Gardiner to Augusta 3 to 5 days per week. Except for a few speeder trips and a 470 Railroad Club excursion 5 or 6 years ago there has not been a train on the line for at least ten years, maybe more. There are no current, or even potential, customers along the line. He is also right about the rails being covered up in downtown Augusta. The city has made it a condition of restoring any service through Augusta that the operator/state provide parking to make up for those spaces lost if the rails are uncovered. The bridge over Water Street has been hit by trucks so many times that it is probably out of alignment and would have to be rebuilt as would the bridge over the Kennebec River a few yards east of Water Street. Service through Augusta either for passenger or freight is not going to happen due to the costs involved and the lack of need.
Mr. Fowler is also correct in saying that the current operator has cut back its excusion trains to a few weekends. It was successful for awhile but like all things that are discretionary once those who wanted to ride it did so the novelty wore off and only a handful ride on any given trip. I understand that some trips run empty. A connection with Amtrak was tried and failed miserably. It is likely not to be repeated. Shorter trips may be successful but as far as providing meaningful transportation, I don’t think we are ever going to see it. Maine is a big spread out state and unless you want to limit your travels to one location you need a car.