Welcome to Maine Rail Group
A non-profit group working to enhance rail service in Maine and New England.
June 2026 Tracking the News …Transportation affects us all
6/9/26 Build Auto Oriented Sprawl, some more
Why Congress takes a thousand pages to continue disruption of the urban ecology. https://garygnelson.substack.com/p/build-auto-oriented-sprawl-some-more
6/5/26 Great video: Dude, Where Are My Trains?
6/4/26 Washington is Creating the Most Expensive Traffic Jam in the World
6/4/26 Link between sprawl and housing costs
6/4/26 Initial track and systems installation effort for California high-speed rail project launched
Despite naysayers, progress is occurring. To critics that complain about the cost, look at what happens on Brightline without a separated right of way. https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/infrastructure/news/55381983/chsra-chsra-board-advances-launch-of-initial-track-and-systems-installation-effort-for-california-high-speed-rail-project?utm_source=MASS+Transit+Rail+Update&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS260603088&o_eid=5785D5873312E2J&rdx.ident[pull]=omeda|5785D5873312E2J
6/2/26 A Look at 2026 Passenger Rail Trends for the U.S.
Hopefully in the future Maine will be listed as expanding service. Transit agencies are connecting communities to new destinations as they complete system build outs and progress with line expansions. https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/article/55375599/a-look-at-2026-passenger-rail-trends-for-the-us?utm_source=MASS+Daily
5/12/26 Great Story on what it takes to build successful rail systems
What Amish Country Can Teach us About The Future of Rail
The Lancaster Model: Why a Small PA Town is Beating Your City at Rail
https://thetransitguy.substack.com/p/what-amish-country-can-teach-us-about
05-08-26 The “free market” for trains, socialism for cars and planes
The Brightline Paradox Answers the Question Everyone Asks About Trains in the U.S.
This inequality has been reinforced and expanded at every turn by a century of public policy.
In short, Brightline faces a brutal paradox: Its product is popular and its revenues are strong and growing. But it’s being crushed by debt.
This isn’t a failure of demand or delivery. It’s a failure of the financial model. The Brightline paradox shines a harsh light on the deep inequalities and dysfunction of U.S. transportation. https://www.hsrail.org/blog/the-brightline-paradox-answers-the-question-everyone-asks-about-trains-in-the-u-s/
05-04-26 This Doomsday Law Could Stop Trains Across America In A Matter of Weeks
A little-known federal insurance requirement could soon bring American trains to a halt — even though commuter rail is far safer than other modes of travel. https://usa.streetsblog.org/2026/05/04/this-doomsday-law-could-stop-trains-across-america-in-a-matter-of-weeks
Portland Station Relocation Updates
Latest news on the progress of the new station needed for Portland
Official NNEPRA report: https://www.nnepra.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-12-5-NNEPRA-PTS-Relocation-Site-Alternatives-Analysis-Summary-Report.FINAL_.pdf
Reflections from the Urbanist Coalition: https://www.urbanistportland.me/blog
Letters to the editor – Portland Press Herald 11/22/25 page A-4
About Us
MRG, Inc. is an independent all-volunteer group (501c(3) corporation), that promotes awareness of railroads' contributions to Maine's economy and their important role in moving passengers and freight.
- Advocates for railroad utilization and encourages preservation and productive use of Maine's rail system and its regional connections.
- Currently sharing legislative actions regarding the extension of passenger service from Portland to Bangor.
- Informs our members and the public of rail-related developments through emails, our bimonthly newsletter, and bi-annually updated railroad maps,
- Encourages dialogue among railroad interests, and the general public for mutual education and rail expansion opportunities through contacts with railroad and public officials, and various rail organizations throughout Northern New England
- Board Meetings are held monthly virtually - members are invited, please use contact form to receive an invite.
- Annual meeting is scheduled for the spring and combined with a train ride when possible.
- Board Meeting dates may change due to holidays and schedule conflicts, so please check ahead to confirm.
Get Involved
We are working to keep Maine moving and developing economically while keeping Maine in its natural beauty.
We are working with citizens and legislators to encourage the extension of passenger train service to Bangor so that 90% of Maine's population can be within 1 hour of train service connecting Maine together.
We are working with environmentally focused groups to preserve rail corridors. We encourage rail with trail to ensure the future use of the corridors for passenger service. This leads to economic growth, affordable development without sprawl, open land, and climate friendly transportation options.