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Is she a "friend" of Amtrak on the Senate Transportation Committee? Reason I bring it up is that I just learned some of her biographical information, and it's quite interesting. She was born in Augusta, ME but lived in Auburn, ME with her aunt and uncle after being orphaned at a young age. While attending school in upstate NY (guess this would have been in the late 50's/early 60's), she often TOOK THE TRAIN by herself from there to Maine to go back "home" on holidays. Sometimes she "couldn't make connections" and spent the night at GCT, again by herself.
Guess she must have missed the "State of Maine Express" when that happened, and would have had to wait until the next morning to get home through Boston maybe or else wait until the next night's No. 124.
Interesting life she's led; she also went to school for a time in Lewiston, ME, my mother's home town.
No matter what your views on the health care mess (and I'm now totally confused), I think it's useful if some Republicans and Democrats break ranks and vote their conscience instead of being cookie-cutter "politicians as usual".
smitty195 Member # 5102
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This Smith brother will remain silent on the RINO Senator Snowe.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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I'm sure Rush and Glen would like to have RINO - Republican in Name Only - Snowe expelled from the Party - and of course defeated come 2012. What will be interesting is what will have her vote cost the Administration in some 'favors'? Might the favors be rail passenger related, and if so will Maine get a disproportionate allotment of the "$8B for HSR"?
If there is to be an Eastward extension of the Downeaster, which to me will simply dilute a real success story of passenger rail the existing Downeaster represents, enquiring minds will wonder and want to know.
train lady Member # 3920
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Oh my gosh. the milleniam has arrived. A senator who thinks for herself!!!
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Ocala, your fantasies are pretty funny. I do enjoy reading them...
Ocala Mike Member # 4657
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My latest fantasy (Amtrak-related): Service in Maine north of Portland on what was the old MEC.
My latest fantasy (non-Amtrak-related): Repeal of the McCarran-Ferguson anti-trust exemption for health insurance companies.
DeeCT Member # 3241
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Mike,
Hope that service north of Portland becomes more than a fantasy. It is currently a plan in progress. Progress is a tad slow but there is a plan. Since eventually I will be moving to the Bangor area, I hope that I live to see it.
The next stage which is the expansion of the Downeaster to Brunswick, ME is important. It will allow access to Freeport (probable economic boon) and allow connection to Maine Eastern Railroad. Maine Eastern (currently a tourist railroad) would then give possible access as far north as Rockland.
Hope it is not fantasy - but is dreaming BIG.
Dee
Ocala Mike Member # 4657
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DeeCT, do you know if there are any plans for the route Portland-Waterville, via Lewiston?
TBlack Member # 181
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Everyone seems to be picking up on the expansion of the Maine railroad network part of O.C.'s message. I'm going to go off in another direction (nothing new about that!): Sen. Snowe's early train experiences are interesting, but I'm reminded that my grandmother used to travel from her home in Missoula, MT to her high school in Andover, MA by herself pre 1900. We used to kid her about the Indian dangers in the Dakotas.
sojourner Member # 3134
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One of the problems I had with the Downeaster was its schedule--coming to Boston on a regional, I missed the late morning train and would have had to wait till 5PM to take the next train to Portland. Put that together with (a) having to go to North Station to do it and (b) having no place to store my luggage right at North Station, I decided to store my luggage at South Station, have lunch in Boston and walk around a bit, return to pick up my luggage and catch a 3PM bus right from the bus terminal (adjoining South Station) up to Portland. This worked out fine because the new non-Greyhound busline is cheap and excellent, and I left before rush-hour traffic got bad. However, I would much rather have taken the train were it more convenient! I did take it southbound and quite enjoyed the ride.
I had to take a bus to Augusta from Portland; would have liked a train to do that too, esp as in the morning I could only take (puke) Greyhound; returning just after lunchtime, I took the much nicer line again, which was fine.
dns8560 Member # 15184
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From Wikipedia - "Olympia Jean Snowe McKernan (born February 21, 1947), née Bouchles, is the senior United States Senator from Maine. She is a Republican and a leading moderate within the party."
"Snowe has become widely known for her ability to influence the outcome of close votes, including whether to end filibusters."
"In 2006, she was named one of America's Top Ten Senators by Time Magazine. Congressional Quarterly noted that her presence at the negotiating table in the 107th Congress was "nearly a necessity."
Ocala Mike Member # 4657
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More about expanding rail service in the Pine Tree State, if anyone's interested:
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From my vantage point here in the People's Republic of Massachusets, Ms. Snowe and her colleauge Ms. Collins are poster children for educated legislators. Neither hobbled by "party" affiliation, but rather acting in concert with their costituents desires and their own consciences. If only the other 533 members of the United States Congress could do one or both. Best regards, Rodger, not affiliated with any political party
train lady Member # 3920
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Speaking as another unaffiliated voter I agree with you, Now if we could get the 535 members of congres to not be bought by organizations,companies etc. it would be great
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