by gokeefe
On the day of the ceremonial opening of the train platform in Brunswick, ME for the Downeaster extension, Wayne Davis, the Chairman of TrainRiders Northeast gave an interview to an independent blogger discussing his vision for the future. Specifically he addressed what he thought was the importance of returning passenger service from New York City to Maine.
Historically, the State of Maine traveled P&W lines during the New Haven era. Earlier routings went through Putnam while later routings went through Providence. For the time being if the service were to return it is considered unlikely that CSX would permit the train to travel on its heavily used Springfield - Worcester corridor. As such if passenger service is to resume to Maine via the traditional Worcester routing one of the P&W main lines would need to be used again.
Since Amtrak is restricted in the number of trains that can travel over the CT river drawbridges, in theory, this train would likely be a rerouted Northeast Regional. That being the case, which would be the more appropriate routing today, via Providence or via Putnam? Tom Nelligan wrote a nice post last year which I believe was indicating that the line via Putnam was only maintained to Class II standards. What about the P&W line to Worcester via Providence? Is that maintained to Class II standards as well?
Historically, the State of Maine traveled P&W lines during the New Haven era. Earlier routings went through Putnam while later routings went through Providence. For the time being if the service were to return it is considered unlikely that CSX would permit the train to travel on its heavily used Springfield - Worcester corridor. As such if passenger service is to resume to Maine via the traditional Worcester routing one of the P&W main lines would need to be used again.
Since Amtrak is restricted in the number of trains that can travel over the CT river drawbridges, in theory, this train would likely be a rerouted Northeast Regional. That being the case, which would be the more appropriate routing today, via Providence or via Putnam? Tom Nelligan wrote a nice post last year which I believe was indicating that the line via Putnam was only maintained to Class II standards. What about the P&W line to Worcester via Providence? Is that maintained to Class II standards as well?
gokeefe