Portland Passenger Rail

Crayon question: Is there enough demand generation in Portland for a commuter rail network?
 
@RandomWalk , this is from GPCOG’s 2021 publication Transit Tomorrow. Would be great to see updated versions of this data now that we’re firmly in the remote/hybrid work world.

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Fully study here- https://www.gpcog.org/DocumentCenter/View/1697/2020-Transit-Tomorrow-Plan?bidId=
 
Yeah, I think before the pandemic and the transition to more remote or hybrid work, the Greater Portland area was probably trending towards being able to support light commuter rail in the next 25-50 years. But the trajectory of that has changed, and it will change even more with the advent of AI and changing work patterns.
 
Don’t forget that the Wells Area Improvement Project (the expanded Wells Station plus 6 miles of double-tracking) is intended to support one additional Downeaster round-trip between Wells and Brunswick during rush hour. Even though it would be under the Downeaster brand, this will be (de facto) the first Portland-centric commuter rail service. Whether there are any other corridors that make sense for commuter rail as the mode, to make it a commuter rail network, I don’t know — but you can do a lot of good even with just one line.
 
riptide said:
Don’t forget that the Wells Area Improvement Project (the expanded Wells Station plus 6 miles of double-tracking) is intended to support one additional Downeaster round-trip between Wells and Brunswick during rush hour. Even though it would be under the Downeaster brand, this will be (de facto) the first Portland-centric commuter rail service. Whether there are any other corridors that make sense for commuter rail as the mode, to make it a commuter rail network, I don’t know — but you can do a lot of good even with just one line.
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One of the other major limiting factors was a lack of Positive Train Control on the line, significantly limiting the number of daily trips (I believe to 12, hence only one additional train). But CSX is nearly finished installing PTC the entire way to Brunswick. There still isn't presently sufficient rolling stock to run more trains, but going forward at least one of the significant limitations should no longer be issue.
 
www.pressherald.com

Plan to build a Downeaster stop in Falmouth is still alive — sort of

The station in West Falmouth was first proposed in 2019 by the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, but the project hasn't seen much progress.
www.pressherald.com www.pressherald.com

First floated in 2019, the proposed Amtrak Downeaster stop in West Falmouth is still on track to — maybe — become a reality someday.

The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority first floated the idea for a passenger rail stop to the Falmouth Town Council seven years ago. In addition to serving Falmouth residents, the station would better connect the Interstate 95 corridor to the Downeaster and reduce demand for parking at the Portland Transportation Center, said Falmouth Town Manager Nathan Poore when providing an update to the council on Monday.

The station would be located at the shopping center on Gray Road adjacent to the rail line, likely on the property near the Dunkin’, which borders a steep decline down to the tracks. The project is still in the concept phase, said Poore.

“It is in our growth corridor and it would be a nice transit-oriented type (of) development in that location,” said Poore.

The station would likely include a platform and ticketing area, but no buildings, said Poore. It would include either one or two levels of a parking garage, he said.

The construction would not cost Falmouth taxpayers, as the rail authority would fund the facilities, including parking. Once the station is built, it would be the town’s responsibility to maintain it. The town could find partners to manage the station, said Poore.
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The key takeaway from the article is that the landowner (the shopping center) is unconvinced. Whether that skepticism can be solved with money or would require something else is unstated.
 
I would build a new alignment along 295 with a large transit station at Franklin Street before continuing over the Back Cove and then reusing the abandoned Freight line to Yarmouth where service would resume to Freeport/Brunswick - Rockland. To justify this route I would also run frequent regional rail service down from Lewiston to Portland and then onto Westbrook.
 
Island Frye said:
www.pressherald.com

Plan to build a Downeaster stop in Falmouth is still alive — sort of

The station in West Falmouth was first proposed in 2019 by the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, but the project hasn't seen much progress.
www.pressherald.com www.pressherald.com
Click to expand...
As a Brunswickian, I hope this station never materializes. Train speeds are relatively high in this area, I’d hate to lengthen what is already a ridiculously long ride to Boston by coming to a complete stop for a park and ride in a community that has easy access to the PTC and is already served by the METRO bus service.
 
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