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lakeshorelimited Member # 576	posted I know I'm jumping the gun here, but I was wondering if anyone else out there was planning on trying to make it for the first run of the Downeaster? I read the latest article about service HOPEFULLY starting by June. Knowing Amtrak, some difficulties will push it back even further, so this is a mute point. HOWEVER, if it does indeed commence in May or June, I plan on taking the first Boston-Portland run!! I was wondering if anyone else out there was making similar plans in case service commences as hoped! -Tim
rails Member # 416	posted depending on date, i might try to.
CVFAN Member # 634	posted Knowing Guilford as well as Amtrak, service won't be happening that soon.I'm keeping my eyes open for any new info. Hopefully everyone interested can stick together on this.
lakeshorelimited Member # 576	posted I agree.. we should all be skeptical of Guilford. They don't seem to be very cooperative. You say you know Guilford.. is that from personal experience? I saw another one of your posts about complications with some track in CT. I'd be interested in hearing anything more you might have to say about them..
CVFAN Member # 634	posted I've never been employed by Guilford if that is what you are asking. That track I was speaking of was actually in Ma. on the Connecticut River Line which follows the river. Along with buying and reselling a portion of that line to the Central Vermont,Amtrak rerouted the Montrealer over the CV through CT. and MA. thus avoiding any Guilford trackage! As you may know the Montrealer no longer exists but the Vermonter still uses the Central Vermont from Palmer MA. to St.Albans VT. As far as I know, Amtrak uses no Guilford trackage for any of it's trains so the service to Maine will be the only one.
John Toth Member # 20	posted Correct me if I am wrong, but shouldn't Amtrak's "misunderstanding" with Gulliford be CONGRESS'S misunderstanding ? If the government wanted to build an INTERSTATE between Boston and Portland , pity be to ANYONE who had the "audacity" to stand in the way of "progress" and attempt to "stall" the proceedings !! Amtrak never HAS had (and never WILL have) the POLITICAL "clout" necessary to become the "transportation force" we all wish it would become. Let's FACE it !! The situation in Maine is just another situation where Amtrak has been "slapped in the face" and few really care. It is AMTRAK'S "fight" and no one elses. Amtrak will end up with "pie on the face" with everyone blaming IT for the delay in service initiation. The situation is the same in Pennsylvania where the initiation of Skyline service is "stalled." I guess we as passenger-rail advocates must simply accept the fact that as opposition to Amtrak INCREASES , Congressional support DECREASES !! For some ungodly reason, Congress seems to want to put as much DISTANCE between itself and Amtrak as possible----pushing it (Amtrak) further and further out on a limb. Forget about Congressional FUNDS, folks ! Amtrak needs Congressional CLOUT far more desperately. When the Congressional SUPPORT is in place (and I mean legitimate support) then and only then will Amtrak have a "future." NO amount of money will help Amtrak unless it has the Congressional support it cries out for.
lakeshorelimited Member # 576	posted I think we all share your frustration, John. It's a difficult situation which is really poorly understood. I think all that we can do is write our representatives and try to educate people about the issues facing Amtrak when we hear criticism. I write articles whenever I can, to try to educate the public, and I hope it doesn't fall on deaf ears. I think the best thing we can do is to remain hopeful, but I know it's hard!!

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