I had planned to ride this train for years since the Downeaster service had been extended from Portland to Brunswick, but had not been back here since that happened. I decided early in planning the post-convention part of this trip to ride this segment. After all, I want to say that I have ridden the complete Amtrak system and this would be the first trip of three to complete my goal. The other two are Springfield to Brattleboro on the old Boston and Maine line that was restored in December 2014 and then Norfolk to Petersburg in Virginia on my way home.
Robin and I checked out of the Best Western Freeport and drove north to Brunswick back to the Amtrak station we visited yesterday. A stop at McDonald's provided my usual hot cakes and sausage breakfast. Upon arriving, a look south down the tracks gave us an unexpected picture opportunity so we parked and I gave the keys to Robin who would meet me in Portland.
The Maine Eastern passenger train set was in Brunswick this morning.
Maine Eastern FL9 488, ex. Amtrak 239, exx. Penn Central 5016, nee New York, New Haven and Hartford 2016 built by Electro-Motive Division in 1957. With that done, we walked up to the platform to wait for my train to Portland.
The Brunswick station platform on a beautiful Maine morning.
The Amtrak station area in Brunswick and the map of the Downeaster.
The train arrived and the engine would be pushing it to Portland this morning. I boarded the train and took a left-hand big window seat. We departed on time and I started rolling down the tracks but noted that with all the trees, it was hard to take any pictures. We stopped in Freeport and continued south towards Portland.
We finally broke free of the trees and the scenery was a Maine farm.
Going by the Saco River as it neared Portland. Once we arrived at the junction with the Amtrak Portland station lead, my new mileage was over and the train reversed into the Portland Amtrak station, ending a fantastic trip south on Amtrak Downeaster Train 682.
After I detrained, I photographed this train that helped me reach my goal then walked through the very busy station and found Robin waiting for me. We left here and drove to the Portland Waterfront to the next stop in New England.
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