Hi, just found this forum so this is my first post, but I'd like to share my first Amtrak experience. I have a feeling it's going to end up being long, as I enjoy writing, but I can understand if people skim through. Some back story: I have always been interested in trains since I was a little kid, have always lived near or pretty much on the NEC, and have used Boston's commuter rail and T system quite extensively, but have never had the opportunity to take Amtrak before. I am also a roller coaster enthusiast (hence the name, if someone wants to try to figure that out), and there were a couple of parks up in Maine I have been trying to get to for years but plans always just seem to fall through. I came the closest earlier in the year when I made the trek up there with a few friends only to find both parks closed due to weather (starting to seem like something doesn't want me to go lol).
In July I decided to make another run up there to get them. I don't own a car or drive at all because I'm so close to the T that I can get pretty much anywhere I want locally, but long distance is somewhat of a hassle. Enter the Downeaster. I wasn't sure this would work because long distance day trips usually have issues, but the schedule worked out just right to have plenty of time to spend in Maine and be back in Boston in time to catch the commuter rail home.
August 1st was supposed to have awesome weather, like the best so far for the year (anyone in the Boston area will know what I'm talking about). So I got myself up, took the commuter rail into Boston and headed for North Station. I ended up going all the way to South Station rather than getting off at Back Bay and taking the Orange Line up because it was just that nice out, which I was hoping was a good sign. Walked up Congress through the Financial District and by Faneuil Hall finally getting to North Station, got my tickets without any issue and waited for the train to start boarding. This was my first time to North and while it isn't as impressive as South I found it to be pretty nice.
We started boarding after about 20-30 minutes and then we were off to Maine. I experienced something on this trip that I never had before when traveling. Everyone (especially the staff) was extremely polite, the passengers all seemed cheerful, the train just had this great atmosphere to it that I've never got when flying or taking commuter rail. It felt to me like what I've heard and read about "classic railroading." The scenery, the whistle blowing at grade crossings, everything was quieter/smoother/less hectic...I'm not sure how else to describe it but it was a really nice feeling. The one negative of the trip up was a couple of kids in the seat behind me making some noises I could have done without....But I understand kids will be kids so I didn't let it get to me (I bet it would have on a plane, though). Despite alternating between 5-10 minutes behind schedule, we pulled into Old Orchard Beach (my destination) ahead of or right on schedule if I remember correctly.
The first park I did was Palace Playland, the carnival-ish place right next to Old Orchard Beach Station. I was here for maybe 10 minutes tops....took pictures, rode the two roller coasters, and then met up with a friend I knew who lived in that area and we headed for Funtown Splashtown, the second destination of the day. This park was far better than the things I had read about it. It was clean, had great atmosphere, a very fun wood coaster, and a nice balance of rides for kids up to adults. The new Wild Mouse coaster they just added is somewhat of a generic model you might find at your local fair, but it's a perfect fit for them. Excalibur, the aforementioned wood coaster, was pretty fun and I'd say it's probably one of the better large family rides I've come across. I've been to parks all over the country, and I think this is a very good one if you're looking for somewhere to take your kids during your Amtrak adventures (it's about 4 miles away from OOB on Rt 1, accessible by local trolley buses). It's not the best of it's category, but it's definitely not the worst.
After leaving the park around 8pm my friend dropped me off at Saco station to make my 8:20 train home. Saco is very nice and modern, and definitely one of the better stations I've been to. This train was far less crowded but still had a generally good atmosphere and once again the staff were very nice. We pulled into Boston again on schedule at around 10:30 if I remember correctly, but this time I took the Orange Line to Back Bay as I was too tired and it was too late to be wandering around Boston alone. Caught my commuter rail train and made it home to Canton.
Overall it was a great day and I'm glad these are the circumstances in which I finally made it up there. I came away with 2 new parks I had never been to, a top 20 wood coaster (respectable), and a new favorite mode of long distance transportation. I'm definitely going to be looking into Amtrak more seriously now when I plan my trips...the extra time it takes to get places is made up for by the quality of the travel. In fact, I'll probably be repeating this trip this summer for an enthusiast event. Additionally, I may have a way to get down to New Jersey with a friend but not back up here...in which case I'll be looking to Amtrak (hoping to make the Acela work as I've been wanting to take it for years).
Anyway, sorry this was so long, just thought I'd share my positive experience on the Downeaster. I can post some pictures from the day if anyone wants, although I didn't have my usual camera with me so they aren't all that great.
-Freddie
In July I decided to make another run up there to get them. I don't own a car or drive at all because I'm so close to the T that I can get pretty much anywhere I want locally, but long distance is somewhat of a hassle. Enter the Downeaster. I wasn't sure this would work because long distance day trips usually have issues, but the schedule worked out just right to have plenty of time to spend in Maine and be back in Boston in time to catch the commuter rail home.
August 1st was supposed to have awesome weather, like the best so far for the year (anyone in the Boston area will know what I'm talking about). So I got myself up, took the commuter rail into Boston and headed for North Station. I ended up going all the way to South Station rather than getting off at Back Bay and taking the Orange Line up because it was just that nice out, which I was hoping was a good sign. Walked up Congress through the Financial District and by Faneuil Hall finally getting to North Station, got my tickets without any issue and waited for the train to start boarding. This was my first time to North and while it isn't as impressive as South I found it to be pretty nice.
We started boarding after about 20-30 minutes and then we were off to Maine. I experienced something on this trip that I never had before when traveling. Everyone (especially the staff) was extremely polite, the passengers all seemed cheerful, the train just had this great atmosphere to it that I've never got when flying or taking commuter rail. It felt to me like what I've heard and read about "classic railroading." The scenery, the whistle blowing at grade crossings, everything was quieter/smoother/less hectic...I'm not sure how else to describe it but it was a really nice feeling. The one negative of the trip up was a couple of kids in the seat behind me making some noises I could have done without....But I understand kids will be kids so I didn't let it get to me (I bet it would have on a plane, though). Despite alternating between 5-10 minutes behind schedule, we pulled into Old Orchard Beach (my destination) ahead of or right on schedule if I remember correctly.
The first park I did was Palace Playland, the carnival-ish place right next to Old Orchard Beach Station. I was here for maybe 10 minutes tops....took pictures, rode the two roller coasters, and then met up with a friend I knew who lived in that area and we headed for Funtown Splashtown, the second destination of the day. This park was far better than the things I had read about it. It was clean, had great atmosphere, a very fun wood coaster, and a nice balance of rides for kids up to adults. The new Wild Mouse coaster they just added is somewhat of a generic model you might find at your local fair, but it's a perfect fit for them. Excalibur, the aforementioned wood coaster, was pretty fun and I'd say it's probably one of the better large family rides I've come across. I've been to parks all over the country, and I think this is a very good one if you're looking for somewhere to take your kids during your Amtrak adventures (it's about 4 miles away from OOB on Rt 1, accessible by local trolley buses). It's not the best of it's category, but it's definitely not the worst.
After leaving the park around 8pm my friend dropped me off at Saco station to make my 8:20 train home. Saco is very nice and modern, and definitely one of the better stations I've been to. This train was far less crowded but still had a generally good atmosphere and once again the staff were very nice. We pulled into Boston again on schedule at around 10:30 if I remember correctly, but this time I took the Orange Line to Back Bay as I was too tired and it was too late to be wandering around Boston alone. Caught my commuter rail train and made it home to Canton.
Overall it was a great day and I'm glad these are the circumstances in which I finally made it up there. I came away with 2 new parks I had never been to, a top 20 wood coaster (respectable), and a new favorite mode of long distance transportation. I'm definitely going to be looking into Amtrak more seriously now when I plan my trips...the extra time it takes to get places is made up for by the quality of the travel. In fact, I'll probably be repeating this trip this summer for an enthusiast event. Additionally, I may have a way to get down to New Jersey with a friend but not back up here...in which case I'll be looking to Amtrak (hoping to make the Acela work as I've been wanting to take it for years).
Anyway, sorry this was so long, just thought I'd share my positive experience on the Downeaster. I can post some pictures from the day if anyone wants, although I didn't have my usual camera with me so they aren't all that great.
-Freddie
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) Personally, I find that people and the staff on trains are generally friendler on Western trains (west of Chicago and New Orleans) than on eastern trains. Even people from the east while on western trains or people from the west while on eastern trains.
