Category: General News

Exeter, NH Hosts Station Committee Meeting

On Wednesday, August 27th, NNEPRA joined the Station Committee in historic Exeter, NH.

The Station Committee meets with NNEPRA staff quarterly to review ridership trends, milestones, and discuss shared resources and opportunities to better their station facilities. These can include repair work, marketing materials to display, and any service impacts they may expect. NNEPRA closes the meeting with a Roundtable discussion to deepen these conversations and get leaders thinking and brainstorming solutions, together.

On this day, NNEPRA staff and committee members took the Amtrak Downeaster from their respective stations to Exeter, NH. As the train made its way South, the group grew in size, enjoyed food and beverages from the Downeaster Cafe car, and caught up on projects in progress.

The meeting was held at Vino e Veo, a local favorite. Enjoying the outdoor patio on the Squamscott Riverfront, complete with sunshine and stats the team can be very proud of. FY26 is shaping up to be a strong start for the Amtrak Downeaster.

The day concluded with an educational walking tour of historic downtown Exeter, NH. NNEPRA staff raved about the charm, diversity in shops, and preservation of historic buildings and landmarks. A stop along the Downeaster route you will not want to skip over.

Looking for more Exeter? Check out the 13th Annual Powder Keg Beer & Chili Festival happening on Saturday, October 4th, 2025, at Swasey Parkway in downtown Exeter.

– Taylor Auclair, Marketing Director at NNEPRA

NNEPRA Teams up with The Red Sox Foundation to PLAY BALL!

On August 22nd, on Portland’s very own Hadlock field, NNEPRA staff, along with regional Amtrak management and crew members, teamed up to give back to the kids and hosted this year’s PLAY BALL event, with the help of the Red Sox Foundation.

The Red Sox Foundation is the official charity of the Boston Red Sox. Harnessing the power of New England’s favorite baseball team to make a difference in the lives of youth, Veterans, families, and underprivileged communities.

What is PLAY BALL? A FREE introductory baseball/softball clinic for youth ages 5-12 with any skill range. Youth in attendance participate in fun and engaging baseball activities through station-based drills. The best part is, no personal equipment is necessary. Keeping this event accessible for all attendees.

The event was supported by Portland’s own baseball pros – The Portland Sea Dogs. Each station-based drill featured a unique set of skills kids can bring into their own game as they dream and work to become the next big name in MLB history.

NNEPRA and our regional Amtrak crew members were extremely grateful for the opportunity to jump on the field and give back to our local community. Anticipating many kids may now have a new response to the age-old question – What do you want to be when you grow up?

Team Photo

Photos provided by Red Sox Foundation.

– Taylor Auclair, Marketing Director at NNEPRA

Tell Us What You Think

Your feedback helps us keep the Amtrak Downeaster moving forward, improving service, enhancing experiences, and planning for the future. Take our short survey today, and you’ll be entered to win a pair of roundtrip tickets for your next adventure.

Take The Survey: https://lnkd.in/dqwVP4Ct

Thank you for being part of the journey — your support and participation truly make a difference.

– Taylor Auclair, Marketing Director at NNEPRA

NNEPRA Supports National Night Out – Hosted by Saco PD

NNEPRA attended National Night Out, hosted by the Saco Police Department, on Tuesday, August 5th at Thornton Academy. The annual event, organized in partnership with the City of Saco and supported by local businesses and organizations, brings the community together to connect in a fun and welcoming environment.

National Night Out is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen relationships among city officials, first responders, and residents. Events like this foster trust, encourage open communication, and promote the safety and well-being of both residents and visitors to Saco.

NNEPRA was proud to sponsor and participate alongside local businesses, clubs, and community groups, all working together to make this year’s event a success. We value opportunities to engage directly with our communities and share in the spirit of connection that makes them thrive.

– Taylor Auclair, Marketing Director at NNEPRA

NNEPRA Connects to Maine Travel & Tourism

NNEPRA attended the 2025 Maine Office of Tourism Governor’s Conference on Tourism held at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine on April 16–17. We were thrilled to see our Thompson Point neighbor, The Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine, awarded the 2025 Stewardship Award.

Conference speakers shared insights, trends, and tools for building strong marketing programs while highlighting the economic impact of travel and tourism in Maine. Governor Janet Mills gave an inspired speech to support continued tourism from across New England, Canada, and beyond.

The Maine Office of Tourism shared the effectiveness of their 2024 efforts and previewed the 2025 marketing campaigns.

The Amtrak Downeaster connects riders to some of the Top Visitor Activities as defined in the 2024 Maine Office of Tourism Highlights, including:

  • Food, beverage, and culinary
  • Shopping
  • Sightseeing and touring
  • Active outdoor activities

The NNEPRA team engaged potential partners from Maine-made products and services to the outdoor recreation economy, as well as transportation and publication industries. We distributed brand swag to rail fans from all sectors.

NNEPRA proudly supports the State of Maine brand, on and off the rails.

– Taylor Auclair, Marketing Director at NNEPRA

Major Railroad Tie Replacement Project Begins Next Week

PORTLAND, MAINE – The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA) announced that CSX Transportation will begin replacing over 130,000 railroad ties along 124 miles of the Downeaster Corridor, from the Massachusetts state line to Brunswick, Maine, starting on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Tie replacement crews will work in eight-day increments, with six-day breaks, through mid-July.

During this time, Amtrak Downeaster trains will continue to operate daily service between Brunswick and Boston. Morning and afternoon peak-hour trains, as well as those scheduled for Boston sporting and cultural events, will operate as usual. However, some mid-day trains will be modified on workdays, with bus service substitutions at select stations. For detailed schedule information, visit AmtrakDowneaster.com.

The tie replacement is necessary to maintain the Downeaster’s operating speed and reliability. In 2023, NNEPRA, in partnership with CSX, was awarded a competitive discretionary Federal-State Partnership grant, administered by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), to fund $27 million of the more than $35 million project. CSX Transportation is covering the remaining costs. This partnership will allow CSX to deploy resources to address additional projects along the corridor that support and improve the efficient and reliable movement of both freight and passenger trains. These projects include improvements to several grade crossings in Maine and New Hampshire, which will take place in tandem with the tie replacement.

This project follows a successful partnership between NNEPRA and CSX to extend a passing siding between Wells and North Berwick, completed in December 2024. The next phase includes the construction of new boarding platforms connected by an overhead pedestrian bridge at Wells Station, with work underway by Great Falls Construction. Additionally, CSX is installing an upgraded railroad communication and signal system, Positive Train Control (PTC), in partnership with Amtrak. Visit NNEPRA.com for more information on NNEPRA-sponsored projects.

The Amtrak Downeaster, which set ridership and revenue records with nearly 600,000 riders in FY24, is poised for continued success. “It’s exciting to see so many projects underway that will improve the Downeaster service and position it for growth,” said Patricia Quinn, NNEPRA Executive Director. “The short-term temporary changes and service interruptions while track work is underway will result in long-lasting improvements that will benefit the public well into the future.”

– Taylor Auclair, Marketing Director at NNEPRA

Expansion of Wells Train Station Begins

The expansion to Downeaster train facilities at the Wells Transportation Center began on March 3, 2025.  The project includes the replacement of the existing high level boarding platform adjacent to the Wells Station building as well as the construction of a second boarding platform across the tracks connected by an overhead pedestrian bridge.  The additional platform will allow Amtrak Downeaster trains arriving at the station from opposing directions to board and alight passengers simultaneously. 

The contract to construct the platform and pedestrian bridge was awarded to Great Falls Construction, based in Gorham, following a competitive bid process.  The $11.8M project will support approximately 80 jobs and involve approximately 40 suppliers throughout its 18 month duration.

“We are excited to collaborate with NNEPRA on this endeavor which will enhance transportation infrastructure and serve the Maine community and its visitors well for year to come.  It’s a great project and we are happy to be a part of it,” said Jon Smith, President of Great Falls Construction.

Amtrak Downeaster trains will continue to operate throughout construction.   A temporary boarding platform will be built to provide passenger access to trains and the traffic flow within the parking lot will be modified while work is underway.

The platform expansion is part of the  $31.9 million Wells Area Improvement Project (WAIP) funded in part by the Federal Railroad Administration through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) discretionary grant program, with matching funds provided by the Maine Department of Transportation and CSX Transportation.  The WAIP project also included a six-mile extension to the second track located in front of the station, which was completed by CSX in 2024. 

The additional platform, combined with the added track capacity, will support an additional Downeaster train which will operate between Brunswick and Wells each morning on a schedule designed to serve commuters travelling to and from the Greater Portland Region.   A start date for that frequency has not been determined. 

“We are delighted to work with Great Falls on this important project that will provide more options for Maine residents to get back and forth to work without adding to traffic congestion,” said Patricia Quinn, NNEPRA Executive Director.  “We are grateful for the partnership and collaboration with our funding and operating partners, as well as the Town of Wells and Maine Turnpike Authority, which owns the Wells Station property, throughout this project.”

For Downeaster schedules and fares visit AmtrakDowneaster.com

– Natalie Bogart, Deputy Director at NNEPRA

Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce Awards Downeaster

On February 7th, Brian Beeler, Manager of Passenger Services at NNEPRA, attended the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce’s 34th Annual Meeting, where the Amtrak Downeaster was honored with two prestigious recognitions. The service was named December 2024 Business of the Month and received the esteemed 2024 Regional Impact Award, underscoring its significant contributions to the region’s connectivity and economic vitality.

NNEPRA is honored to receive these accolades and extends its sincere gratitude to the Chamber, city officials, and representatives for their unwavering support and commitment to the success of the Amtrak Downeaster. These recognitions reflect a shared dedication to enhancing regional mobility and fostering economic growth.

– Taylor Auclair, Marketing Director at NNEPRA

Downeaster Café Now Serving: Holy Donut

The Amtrak Downeaster Café is the only Amtrak service in the country managed by a third-party food service group: NexDine. This allows our staff to source food and beverages from local brands to bring customers a true taste of Maine while on board.

Beginning on Friday, February 14th, all trains are now stocked and serving Holy Donut products in three delicious flavors: Dark Chocolate Sea Salt, Maple Glazed, and Toasted Coconut. Gluten-free options are also available.

The story of Maine’s favorite gourmet potato donut is one baked on passion, determination, and a family bond so strong not even a pandemic could shake their success. We are proud to support a local business now boasting five brick-and-mortar locations, employing more than 120 hard-working Mainers.

Now and for a limited time: When you buy one Holy Donut product on board in the Downeaster Café, you get a FREE cup of coffee. A combination so sweet you will want this train ride to last forever.

View Complete Menu

– Taylor Auclair, Marketing Director at NNEPRA

Downeaster Orientation Tour with the Maine State Legislature Joint Committee on Transportation

On Tuesday, February 4th, 2024, NNEPRA hosted the Maine State Legislature Joint Committee on Transportation for an informative Downeaster Orientation Tour. This tour gave the committee members an in-depth look at the operations, partnerships, and priority projects for the Amtrak Downeaster, including a focus on the important Portland Station Relocation Project.

The tour started with a warm welcome from NNEPRA Board Member Alison Harris, who also serves as a volunteer at the Brunswick Station, along with staff from the Brunswick Downtown Association, which manages the visitor center at the Brunswick station. From there, the group embarked on an Amtrak Downeaster train ride to Portland, experiencing firsthand the service we’re so proud to offer. The tour wrapped up with a visit to the Brunswick Layover Facility, giving the committee a behind-the-scenes understanding of our operations.

Throughout the day, the group was briefed on key partnerships and discussed projects that are shaping the future of passenger rail in Maine.

We’d like to extend a thank you to all our valued partners who helped make this event a success including Amtrak, CSX Transportation, NEXDINE Hospitality, and the Maine Department of Transportation, whose commitment to enhancing passenger rail service in Maine is truly invaluable.

NNEPRA is looking forward to continuing our collaboration with the Maine State Legislature Joint Committee on Transportation as we work together to enhance and expand passenger rail service for the people of Maine. Stay tuned for more updates as we move forward with these exciting projects!

– Natalie Bogart, Deputy Director, NNEPRA