Downeaster pilot program to Rockland is a no-go this summer

ROCKLAND, Maine – Amtrak’s Downeaster won’t be running this summer to Rockland, Maine.

Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority Patricia Quinn said Wednesday that Amtrak was unable to put all of the pieces together, including crew qualifying and a risk assessment of 58 miles of track between Brunswick and Rockland.

That means there won’t be a pilot program on three weekends this summer.

But Quinn said she isn’t giving up on the idea. The goal is to complete the qualifying and assessments this year and launch the pilot program next summer.

The passenger rail service started between Boston and Portland, Maine, in December 2001. Service expanded northward to Freeport and Brunswick in November 2012.