The lengthened 2014 operating season will feature the round-trip excursion service from Brunswick to Rockland that the Maine Eastern has operated for ten years. However, the 2014 season also features a new connection with Amtrak’s popular Downeaster in Brunswick, a new station stop in Newcastle, and a completely new short scenic ride based in Wiscasset. Ticket prices have been reduced to their lowest point in the past ten years. The www.MaineEasternRailroad.com website has been completely rebuilt to reflect these service changes and to better serve passengers.
Tickets for the 2014 season will be available online or by phone starting January 1, 2014.
The Maine Eastern Railroad will also be operating a series of special excursions during the off season. The Toys ‘n’ Turkeys Train, organized by Maine Eastern employees as a charity drive, will be collecting toys, food, and other donations at stations along the line on Saturday, November 16th. The Rockland Kiwanis Club’s Jingle Bell Express will operate out of Rockland Station on December 6th & 7th, and Tri-County Literacy’s Candy Cane Train will operate out of Bath Station on December 13th & 14th.
New Connection with Amtrak Downeaster
Beginning in the 2014 season, the Maine Eastern’s Mid-Coast Limited excursion service will make both northbound and southbound connections with the Amtrak Downeaster at Brunswick Station, allowing passengers from Portland, Boston, and other points south to travel to Rockland by rail via the Maine Eastern Railroad’s excursion service.
Reduced Ticket Prices
The 2013 season’s ticket prices will be reduced by 10-20% for the 2014 season.
New Newcastle Station Stop
New for the 2014 season is the Maine Eastern’s station stop in Newcastle, serving the twin cities of Newcastle and Damariscotta. In cooperation with both towns and Country Coach Charters, shuttle bus service will be available from the station into the downtown areas of Newcastle and Damariscotta.
Relocated Wiscasset Station Stop
The Wiscasset Station, formerly located at the town’s public boat launch and docks, will be relocated north of Route 1 to its historic location along Railroad Avenue. A permanent station platform will be constructed, and the Maine Eastern’s vintage caboose (currently stored in Rockland) will be reconfigured as a ticket office and relocated to the Wiscasset waterfront.
Expanded Operating Season
The 2014 season will begin on July 4th and continue through October 13th, adding almost two months of additional service that were not included in the 2013 season.
New Wiscasset Flyer Service
While the Maine Eastern has been operating round-trip excursion service between Brunswick and Rockland for ten years, the 2014 season will feature an additional train operating out of Wiscasset. Called the Wiscasset Flyer, this train will operate short 45-minute and 1-hour round-trips to Newcastle and Bath on Saturdays to appeal to tourists who want to see the most scenic parts of the route without riding the whole distance to Rockland.
New On-Board Food Service & Gift Shop
Beginning in the 2014 season, The Mid-Coast Limited round-trip excursion service from Brunswick to Rockland will feature an on-board snack bar and gift shop, selling drinks, snacks, and Maine Eastern souvenirs during the trip.
The Mid-Coast Limited
(Round-Trip Excursion Service to Rockland)
The Mid-Coast Limited will operate every Friday, Saturday, & Sunday from July 4th through October 12th. Additionally, this service will operate on Wednesday, July 30th & Thursday, July 31st for the Maine Lobster Festival and also on Monday, October 13th for both Columbus Day and the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest
& Regatta.
The Mid-Coast Limited enables a connection with the Amtrak Downeaster in Brunswick station, allowing passengers to take a train from Boston or Portland and then board the Maine Eastern. The round-trip excursion service to Rockland will cater to passengers who would like to use the Maine Eastern for day and weekend trips.
Wiscasset Flyer
(Short Round-Trip Excursion Service)
The Wiscasset Flyer short round-trip service based in Wiscasset will operate every Saturday from July 5th through October 4th except for July 12th and August 2nd (when the Special Events train will be operating instead). Additionally, this service will operate on July 4, July 6, August 31, and September 1.
The Wiscasset Flyer service caters to the tourist day-trip market in the Wiscasset area and Mid-Coast region by offering 45-minute and 1-hour round trips to Newcastle and Bath. The trip to Bath doubles as a connection for The Mid-Coast Limited, allowing passengers from Brunswick to experience both Wiscasset and Bath in the same afternoon.
Special Events
Additional round-trip service to Rockland will operate in the mornings and evenings on July 12 & 13 (North Atlantic Blues Festival) and July 30 – August 3 (Maine Lobster Festival).
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