Superliner Diner
Conductor
Effective Saturday, September 7, 2002, the timetable for the Downeaster will be changing. Other than the addition of stops in Saco, Old Orchard Beach, and Woburn, this is the first major scheduling change since the train began almost 9 months ago.
The weekday schedule will remain as it is now, with Trains 680, 681, 682, 683, 684, 685, and 686 running as they do now.
On weekends, these are the changes:
Train #685, the 6:15 PM departure from Boston to Portland, will operate 1-1/2 hours later. It will be called Train #689, and depart Boston at 7:45 PM, arriving into Portland at 10:30 PM (vs. 9 PM before). This change lets people stay in Boston longer, perhaps get dinner before returning north. This train has been distinctly the busiest of the four daily departures.
Train #680, the 6:05 AM departure from Portland to Boston, will operate 25 minutes later. It will be called Train #678, and depart Portland 6:30 AM, arriving Boston at 9:15 AM (vs. 8:50 AM before). This change allows a little extra sleep on weekends for those headed for Boston. Note however, that since Train #681, which #678 will become when it turns to go north again, is not changing, the turnaround time at Boston North Station is only 1/2 hour (vs. 55 minutes before).
Train #686, the 4 PM departure from Portland to Boston, will operate three hours later. It will be called Train #688, and depart Portland at 7 PM, arriving Boston at 9:45 PM. (vs. 6:45 PM before). This is by far the most significant change, and it was brought about because tourists in Portland for the day were rushed to make the 4 PM train, the last of the day. Businesses in Portland will now be able to profit more from tourism, and these people can also eat dinner while still in town.
Trains #681, 682, 683, 684, and 687 will still operate on a daily basis.
It is good to see that Amtrak and the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority are making these changes to best serve their customers. Hopefully in the long run, there can be more than the four round trips offered now -- if and when host railroad Guilford Rail Service becomes more friendly to improved passenger service.
The weekday schedule will remain as it is now, with Trains 680, 681, 682, 683, 684, 685, and 686 running as they do now.
On weekends, these are the changes:
Train #685, the 6:15 PM departure from Boston to Portland, will operate 1-1/2 hours later. It will be called Train #689, and depart Boston at 7:45 PM, arriving into Portland at 10:30 PM (vs. 9 PM before). This change lets people stay in Boston longer, perhaps get dinner before returning north. This train has been distinctly the busiest of the four daily departures.
Train #680, the 6:05 AM departure from Portland to Boston, will operate 25 minutes later. It will be called Train #678, and depart Portland 6:30 AM, arriving Boston at 9:15 AM (vs. 8:50 AM before). This change allows a little extra sleep on weekends for those headed for Boston. Note however, that since Train #681, which #678 will become when it turns to go north again, is not changing, the turnaround time at Boston North Station is only 1/2 hour (vs. 55 minutes before).
Train #686, the 4 PM departure from Portland to Boston, will operate three hours later. It will be called Train #688, and depart Portland at 7 PM, arriving Boston at 9:45 PM. (vs. 6:45 PM before). This is by far the most significant change, and it was brought about because tourists in Portland for the day were rushed to make the 4 PM train, the last of the day. Businesses in Portland will now be able to profit more from tourism, and these people can also eat dinner while still in town.
Trains #681, 682, 683, 684, and 687 will still operate on a daily basis.
It is good to see that Amtrak and the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority are making these changes to best serve their customers. Hopefully in the long run, there can be more than the four round trips offered now -- if and when host railroad Guilford Rail Service becomes more friendly to improved passenger service.
