Welcome to Maine Rail Group
A non-profit group working to enhance rail service in Maine and New England.
July 2026 Tracking the News …Transportation affects us all
July 2026 - Watch the history of Amtrak
A great YouTube video covering the history and future of Amtrak, put together by Amtrak. https://youtu.be/47j3dEonYlQ?si=dS9XgpvkIt4PGv_1
July 2026 Providence - New Haven study announced
Amtrak and partners announced a Providence to New Haven rail capacity study. Details, and information are available at: https://newhavenprovidencestudy.com/?sm_guid=MTAxNTkwNnw3ODc5MTE1NnwtMXxwY29sZTQ3M0BnbWFpbC5jb218ODg1ODI1M3x8MHwwfDMyMjcyNzE5MnwxMTQ5fDB8MHx8MTg0NTAzMXww0
07/06/26 Virginia announces passenger rail grants
Trains magazine announces that Two Virginia passenger rail projects receive federal grants. It is good news that some states are choosing to move forward in connecting their state together. https://www.trains.com/pro/passenger/two-virginia-passenger-rail-projects-receive-federal-grants/?utm_source=omeda&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Email-News0-TIN-260306-TNFR00-Newsletter&oly_enc_id=1694E8392067G9F
6-11-26 Congress’s Transportation Reauthorization Bill Would Drastically Underfund Transit and Rail
Congress is currently considering legislation called the BUILD America 250 Act. Yet if passed, BUILD America 250 would dramatically reduce federal support for new transit and intercity rail lines compared with the previous five-year federal transportation law, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
Read the full report at: https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/congresss-transportation-reauthorization-bill-would-drastically-underfund-transit-and
6/5/26 Great video: Dude, Where Are My Trains?
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/
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.