Amtrak's Downeaster in Brunswick, ME
What to do on National Train Day?
This past National Train Day (Saturday, May 11, 2013) I was looking for a rail adventure. While I was looking for great news stories to share, I found out about the Amtrak’s Downeaster $5.00 ticket days. Saturday, May 11 was one of those days. I thought “this could be a fun adventure.” So I went on the National Train Day website to find that they had an event at Brunswick station. I booked the tickets for our rail adventure on National Train Day, all for $20 for two around trip from Haverhill, MA to Brunswick, ME. Normally the Downeaster services North Station in Boston, but due to track work service started in Haverhill, MA this weekend.
Amtrak’s Downeaster
When we arrived the platform at Haverhill station was getting pretty full with families and rail buffs. Amtrak Downeaster train #691 pulled into the station right on time and we left right on time. We made our way through northeastern Massachusetts and southeastern New Hampshire, for the first leg of the trip is very much wooded. As we made our way into Maine we made our way thru coastal towns like Wells, Saco, and Old Orchard Beach. The station platform at Old Orchard Beach is only steps away from the ocean and everything OOB has to offer from quant shops to beach side amusement rides. As we made way north we passed thought Rigby Rail yard the home of Guilford and PanAm Railways. Our next stop was Portland station, which is off the main line. After stopping at Portland station to pick-up/drop off passengers and changed crews we were back-up on the main line to continue north to Freeport and Brunswick stations.
At Brunswick
We arrived at Brunswick station to find rail/travel related vendors and a couple of operating train layouts. Parked on the secondary track by Brunswick station was two engines from PanAm. I broke out the camera and got tons of photos of Amtrak’s Downeaster and PanAm equipment. I spent the day in Brunswick checking out the many shops along their Main Street. After a 5 hour layover we made our way back on sold-out train #698 heading south back to Haverhill.
Thoughts…
Great ride, I would definitely do this again. The Amtrak’s Downeaster is perfect for a day or weekend get-a-way, with all the great destinations along the way. The Downeaster is great for a get-a-way but it is also used by many for commuting for college and business.
Rail Scanning on Amtrak’s Downeaster
Crew Communications 161.5200MHz
Haverhill, MA to Portland, ME Road Dispatch. 160.1600
Portland to points north Road Dispatch 160.6200
