December 15, 2001: Today marks the first revenue runs of Amtrak's Downeaster, the new Boston MA to Portland ME passenger train. Maine service had been absent for 30 years. Amtrak said in a Dec 5 release that the reinauguration was "a triumphant affirmation of America's rail renaissance" and hailed the "successful grass-roots campaign" fought by TrainRiders Northeast.
     Amtrak said that besides coaches, the trains will include a cafe car and a premium service Coastal Club car, with more spacious seating, complimentary non-alcoholic drinks and personal copies of USA Today.
     The cafe car menu includes rosemary shrimp over Caesar salad, grilled marinated Portabella mushroom sandwiches on foccacia bread, "award-winning" clam chowder and fresh-baked apple crisp. Food is prepared by Epicurean Feast, a premiere Massachusetts food service company.
     For the special press run of Dec 14, Amtrak said that church bells would ring in each town as the train approached. This harkens back to a tradition begun a century ago, when the bells were rung to alert the next town that the train was approaching.
     The name "Downeaster" relates to the days of great sailing ships that left Boston Harbor and traveled to Maine on the winds that blew down and eastward to Maine.

     The Vermont Agency of Transportation hopes to sign a 5-year contract with Amtrak to add a third train to the state-supported passenger runs: a train from Hoosick Junction NY to Manchester NH via Bennington VT. Tracks are currently being upgraded.

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