Story Archives of 'Amtrak'

Downeaster Managers Want New Hampshire Money For the Train

By David Darman on Thursday, May 8, 2008.

The agency in Maine that runs Amtrak’s Downeaster is facing a looming financial crisis.

For years, millions of dollars in federal money has helped pay for the train’s operation. But next year the federal money will run out to the tune of millions of dollars a year.

Downeaster managers hope New Hampshire might make up some of the loss - a possibility that state policymakers say is unlikely.

New Hampshire Public Radio’s David Darman has more.

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Amtrak's Downeaster Has Been Running for 5 Years

By David Darman on Tuesday, December 26, 2006.

Amtrak's Downeaster train has celebrated its fifth anniversary.

In 2001, train advocates claimed the Downeaster would fill a transportation need by giving commuters a way to get off crowded roads.

Political leaders promised the train would bring economic revival to the cities and towns that it serves.

New Hampshire Public Radio's David Darman has looked into whether any of those promises have come true yet.

He files this report.

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Whither AMTRAK? NH Congressmen Divided

By Don Rush on Thursday, June 27, 2002.

The Northeast is breathing a sigh of relief as the prospect of an Independence Day Amtrak shutdown has disappeared.

The Bush Administration and Amtrak officials have cut a deal to help the financially strapped rail system through September.

But a solution to Amtrak's financial woes could pit the Northeast against other parts of the country, and appears to have divided New Hampshire's delegation.

NHPR's Washington correspondent Don Rush has this report.

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Meeting About Possible Hi Speed Rail in NH and VT

By David Darman on Wednesday, February 13, 2002.

About 50 people attended a meeting in Concord Tuesday night, to hear consultants and transportation officials from Vermont and New Hampshire discuss high speed rail service between Boston and Montreal. NHPRï¿½s David Darman attended the meeting, and files this report.

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Amtrak's Downeaster Train Takes Its First Run

By David Darman on Friday, December 14, 2001.

Amtrak kicked off its long awaited passenger service between Boston and Portland, Maine today, with an inaugural train. The train got an enthusiastic send off in Boston?s North Station, as NHPR?s David Darman reports.

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Portland to Boston Train Rolls After Much Delay

By David Darman on Friday, December 14, 2001.

Amtrak kicked off its long awaited passenger service between Boston and Portland, Maine today, with an inaugural train. The train got an enthusiastic send off in Boston?s North Station, as NHPR?s David Darman reports.

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The Downeaster Rolls into NH

By Roger Wood on Friday, December 14, 2001.

Correspondent Roger Wood and a large crowd awaited the arrival of the "Downeaster" in Exeter.

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Officials Optimistic About Trains in New Hampshire

By David Darman on Tuesday, October 23, 2001.

The announcement that Amtrak Service between Portland and Boston will begin in December has rail proponents in the region optimistic about other projects that could affect New Hampshire.

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Maine Officials Give Start Date for Amtrak Service

By David Darman on Thursday, October 18, 2001.

Officials in Maine announced today that passenger rail service from Portland to Boston through New Hampshire's Seacoast will begin on December 14th. NHPR's David Darman has more.

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Compromise may get Amtrak service in Maine going

By David Darman on Monday, March 12, 2001.

If news reports are correct, travelers will be able to take the train from Boston to Portland by June. Maine's Rail Authority has agreed with the track's owner to temporarily operate the train at a slower speed.

This is not the first time an announcement has been made predicting the passenger train's arrival. But the compromise marks progress, and both sides claim the end is in sight.

NHPR's David Darman has more.

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