Welcome to Maine Rail Group
A non-profit group working to enhance rail service in Maine and New England.
October 2026 Tracking the News …Transportation affects us
10-12-26 Borealis Service Grows
The Borealis, the passenger train that runs exclusively between St. Paul and Chicago, has been a popular draw for riders over the last two years — so popular, in fact, that beginning this week, Amtrak will add a fourth, year-round superliner coach car to every departure.
10-12-26 Responding to critics of Transit Oriented Development
When people complain about car congestion, point out that supply/demand capitalism shows that transit-rich cities are expensive, in part, because many people there can get around without being stuck in congestion. High costs of living, in turn, are the market telling us to create more places just like that. This is the free-market argument.
10-8-26 MA: Could Boston be the next big city to scrap parking minimums?
In Boston, about 34% of households do not own a car, according to American Community Survey data.
Building parking creates new costs to the developer, separate from the cost of constructing housing itself. That’s already an expensive endeavor due to inflation, tariffs, labor shortages and other roadblocks that can then be passed on to the future tenant or buyer of the home.
Though the actual price tag can differ widely, building parking can cost around $40,000 per space for above-ground parking and $100,000 per space for underground parking.
10-5-26 Maryland shows how to get infrastructure done
Three consecutive water crossings on a 35-mile stretch between Baltimore and the Susquehanna River will soon be rebuilt or replaced. The IIJA didn’t create these projects, in other words. The $2.1 billion for the Susquehanna, in particular, went to a project that had been in the works for a decade. Maryland was ready get to work—plans in hand—when Washington was finally ready to invest. It was prepared. The money followed. https://www.hsrail.org/blog/how-amtrak-will-add-capacity-and-run-faster-trains-by-breaking-three-maryland-bottlenecks/?utm_source=everyaction&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter-2026-10-09&emci=36ed77db-20c4-f111-bf5b-000d3a4fbe83&emdi=6b8665b9-31c4-f111-bf5b-000d3a4fbe83&ceid=2217544
9/30/26 Airo debuts in Pacific Northwest
Downeaster will be receiving Airo equipment in 2030 - read about what to expect. https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/intercity/amtrak-airo-debuts-in-pacific-northwest/?utm_source=Rail%20Group%20News&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=61575
9/5/26 From the Portland Press Herald
Relocating Portland Station will transform passenger rail in Maine:
You Tube video re: Boston North/South Link
One can always dream....but a good history with hope for the future:
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