by Xplorer2000
On the old format, there were questions as to whether the DownEasten mught be "circling the bowl", as it were. Well, owing to a performance I was part of in Portland the last weekend in February, I had the opportunity to finally ride the service. The ride to Portland.....sadly, wasn't possible. the train was SOLD OUT!!!! Thats right ladies and gentleman, the 6:35pm departure from North Station was completely full, which meant taking a Concord Trailways bus up(It wasn't all bad... at least the movie was funny. )Not what I'd call the sign of a train on its last legs. The Trip back, however, I was able to make. There were quite a few people boarding in Portland, and we boarded more at every stop,including, 34 at either Dover or Exeter, I don't remember which. The coach had a galley section at one end(not in use), and this was an arrangement I'd never seen before. We passed two yarded Guilford freights, one at Dover the other at Lawrence, and the trip was actually fairly smooth and enjoyable, and it was a very bright, clear morning, so the scenic value was good . Ride quality was fair, although some of the station stops were a little less than smooth, and at least once the train had to move up after its initial stop. Ride quality , however, deteriorated MARKEDLY after the train came off the Wildcat Branch , and onto the MBTA Lowell Line tracks. Almost felt like the bloody wheels were wobbling!!! Its smoothed out in some of the station platforms, and eventually, completly as we got closer to Boston, but it felt pretty bad. Anyways, We arrived in Boston pretty much right on time, and the crew was fairly friendly and courteous . All in all, a pretty good , positive riding experience. From what I heard from the ticket agent, that sold out trip was a common event, and he said that some of the trains were regularly overbooked.In the dead of Winter, no less Given that I'll have more trips to Portland later in the year, I'll opt for the train wherever I can. Suffice to say, reports of the DownEaster's demise may be premature,so far....