News We are Reading Right Now
1/9/25 MaineDOT Selects Operator for Rockland Branch Railroad
Congratulations to Maine Switching Services (MSS) of Unity to take over operations and maintenance of the Rockland Branch Railroad. They plan to resume freight service on the line, and start excursion service over the summer.
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MEDOT/bulletins/3cb9d92
12/17/24 All Aboard Act would make $200 billion investment in rail
Sen. Markey, Rep. Deluzio Introduced Legislation to Transform U.S. Rail Network. legislation that would dedicate $200 billion over five years to build high-speed rail, expand existing passenger rail service, and electrify the most heavily polluting railyards and corridors. The legislation includes critical labor protections for the existing union labor workforce and creates a rail personnel training grant program for rail workers. https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-markey-rep-deluzio-introduce-legislation-to-transform-us-rail-network?emci=8a51ed77-2ebf-ef11-88ce-0022482a93af&emdi=beb7ec7d-2ebf-ef11-88ce-0022482a93af&ceid=2217544
12/5/24 Amtrak announces best year ever
Preliminary results for FY 24 (October 2020 – September 2024) include:
- Ridership: All-time record 32.8 million customer trips, a 15 percent increase over FY 23.
- Ticket revenue: $2.5 billion —a first in Amtrak’s history and nine percent higher year-over-year.
- Total operating revenue: $3.6 billion, a seven percent increase over FY 23.
- Major infrastructure investments: Invested $4.5 billion into critical infrastructure upgrades, driving economic growth, creating jobs and improving mobility around the country.
- Adjusted operating earnings: Improved by nine percent over FY 23 to $705.2 million.
- Service: Launched one new train service and expanded four additional routes. getting a sweet deal.
11/23/24 Cal Train discovers electrification is paying off
NYC to Implement Congestion Plan in January 2025
Money raised will be used to improve public transit.
- Daytime E-ZPass tolls
- Passenger vehicles (once per day): $9
- Motorcycles (once per day): $4.50
- Small trucks and non-commuter buses: $14.40
- Large trucks and sightseeing buses: $21.60
- Tunnel crossing credits reduced by 40 percent of original plan
- Nighttime discounts of 75 percent of daytime tolls
- Per-ride fees for all trips to, from or within the CBD
- Taxis and black cars: $0.75
- App-based for-hire vehicles: $1.50
Massachusetts investing in commuter rail to relieve traffic congestion
Massachusetts has learned that roads alone will not end congestion. Not commuter, but all day service for workers and people needing to get to appointments. 10/26/24
Maine gets $53 million to improve rail safety
Maine has received a $53 million dollar grant to improve rail lines in Northern Maine. The grant will be used to upgrade two Eastern Maine Railway mainlines in Penobscot, Aroostook, Washington and Piscataquis counties. It also will rehabilitate tracks from the former Great Northern Paper Co. mill that have been dormant since 2008. 10/26/24
Midcoast Maine isn’t easy to get around without a car.
Boston North/South Connection?
News and Events
What we Are Reading Now
City Limits by Megan Kimble
The subtitle of this new book is: "Infrastructure, Inequality, and the future of America's Highways".
Author weaves together the building of urban highways, and how it disrupts lives and ruins our transportation system. States clearly the social and environmental costs of our allegiance to speed and dispersion, and highlights people who are fighting against it.
Remember
Tourists coming to Maine do not want to sit in traffic, they want to see places and enjoy our beautiful state.
Rail with last mile options is the real answer!
Upcoming Meetings
Board Meetings (2025)
January 22
February 19
March 19
April 16
May 21
June 18
All meetings are virtual unless stated otherwise
If you wish to get the virtual invite to meetings please use the contact form.
Where to visit us
(photo on left), Fryeburg Fair 2024, L to R, Bruce Sleeper, president TRNE, Jack Duffin, MRG social media consultant, and Peter Cole, MRG president.
January 25-26-Railroad Hobby Show,
Springfield MA
February 15 - Doll and Train, Augusta
April 26 - Great Falls Model Railroad -Topsham