trains

Backers of a plan to bring commuter rail to Nashua and Manchester say it’s finally time for the state to accept federal funds to complete a study of a potential train line.

Lawmakers are considering a bill, SB 241, that would use the funds to study the environmental, engineering and financial costs of a train line connecting the "capital corridor" with Massachusetts.

Amtrak is bringing back a 1950s-era domed railcar that offers panoramic views for riders of a New England train.

The Downeaster train will begin four daily trips starting Aug. 11 using the Amtrak Great Dome railcar, which features an upper level with windows on all sides.

Riders will have views of the coastline, marshes and streams along the Downeaster route from Boston to Brunswick, Maine.

A bill supporting a study for commuter rail expansion has passed the New Hampshire House.

The House bill on Thursday includes the federally funded study as part of the 10-year state transportation plan.

The project would extend passenger rail from Boston to Manchester, N.H., with two stops in Nashua, a stop at the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, and a stop in downtown Manchester.

The president of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce says he's encouraged by Gov. Chris Sununu's support for studying commuter rail expansion.

Michael Skelton now hopes state lawmakers follow suit. He will not be alone.

A new business coalition, “New Hampshire Business for Rail Expansion,” was unveiled Tuesday to advocate for restoring passenger train service from Boston to Manchester. Skelton first mentioned it while speaking on The Exchange on Tuesday.

Officials say Amtrak's Downeaster passenger train crashed into a car whose driver followed GPS directions onto train tracks in East Kingston.

East Kingston Fire Chief Ed Warren says a Good Samaritan saw headlights on the tracks and helped the driver escape from the car around 5 p.m. Saturday.

No one was hurt.

The East Kingston Fire Department reports that the driver says her Global Positioning System directed her to turn at that point, and her vehicle got stuck on the tracks. The Downeaster was traveling from Portland, Maine, to Boston, with 56 passengers.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg captured 2 percent in a preference poll ahead (way, way, way ahead) of the 2020 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary.

The UNH Survey Center asked people to pick from a list of "potential candidates" that the pollster provided.  By the way, Zuckerberg has repeatedly said he is not running. 

Moving on.

Other N.H. notables and stories this week:

A Massachusetts transportation official says "operator error" is the focus of an investigation into what caused a six-car passenger train to leave a suburban Boston station without a driver.

None of the approximately 50 passengers on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority train was injured.

The train traveled for about nine minutes - and through four stations - before MBTA personnel were able to stop it by cutting power to the electrified third rail.

A bill that could help pave the way for public-private funding of commuter rail is now awaiting New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan's signature. 

Efforts to bring commuter rail from Boston up to Nashua and Manchester hit a snag this year when lawmakers chose not to include $4 million in the capital budget to further study the proposal. Supporters of the project hope to continue exploring other funding options, including public-private partnerships. 

Amtrak's Downeaster service says passengers should expect some delays and cancelations this week as the rail service begins spring maintenance.

Crews are preparing to replace roughly 22 thousand railroad ties along the tracks between Boston and Portland, Maine.  A number of midday runs are canceled for Tuesday and Wednesday. Peak hour trains in the morning and afternoon will run as scheduled but may face delays. Amtrak officials say they will post all service alerts on the Downeaster website.