(rshsdepot) Dover, NH

["Jim Dent" <james.dent_@_itochu.com>]

=46rom Foster's Online...

New train stations taking shape, but platform leases yet to be signed
By NICK HENDERSON
Democrat Staff Writer

DOVER =97 Passenger train stations are fast taking shape, but the train c=
an=92t
stop without a platform in place.

The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority is awaiting completion =
of
lease agreements between station communities and Guilford Rail, who owns =
the
right of way between Plaistow and Portland, Maine. Until then, contractor=
s
cannot build platforms and Amtrak cannot stop its trains that will provid=
e
service between Boston and Portland, Maine.

In Dover and Durham, R.S. Audley of Bow is beginning work on the stations
while it waits for approval to construct platforms.

The frame of Dover=92s station is 80 percent complete and crews will begi=
n
preparing the building for electrical and plumbing lines, according to R.=
S.
Audley project manager Dave Burkland.

Similar work is under way in Durham, which involves conversion of the Dai=
ry
Bar on Main Street back into a partial station. The Dairy Bar will not be
affected by the conversion.

"The platforms are the most important part," Burkland said. "But (Guilfor=
d)
won=92t let us out there to build them."

That is all about to change, according to New Hampshire Senior Assistant
Attorney General Mike Walls, who is coordinating the lease agreements. He
expects communities to sign on by the end of the week.

For several months, New Hampshire and Maine state authorities worked to
settle disagreements with Guilford over issues such as liability and
maintenance. Guilford finally approved a final draft, and now it is up to
each community to approve the lease.

R.S. Audley is paving a parking lot to hold 88 cars, but can go no furthe=
r,
since plans only call for a platform at the Lincoln Street site.

The Wells, Maine, station, managed by the Maine Turnpike Authority, is we=
ll
under way, according to Ron Roy in the Department of Transportation=92s O=
ffice
of Passenger Transportation.

On the rails next to the flurry of construction is activity that shows
Amtrak is serious about launching service. Almost daily, Amtrak runs a
"training train," consisting of a locomotive, cafe car and control unit.
These train runs are designed to acquaint conductors, engineers and other
train staff with the route and its characteristics, according to Victor
Salemme, Amtrak=92s director of Maine passenger rail service.

The real train, expected to begin operation this fall, will consist of a
locomotive, three passenger cars, a cafe car and a baggage/control unit. =
The
train will be "push-pull," which means it will run in both forward and
reverse directions since there is limited space to turn around.

In the "pull" mode, the engineer sits in the locomotive to control the
train. In the "push" mode, the engineer uses the baggage/control unit at =
the
opposite end. This is a locomotive that has been stripped of an engine, b=
ut
has controls that are linked to the powered unit at the other end.

Despite news of ballooning deficits and the need to be fiscally independe=
nt
by 2003, Amtrak said the light is still green for service to begin.
Regardless of what happens to Amtrak in its current form, the state of Ma=
ine
is footing the bill.

The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, formed by the Maine
Legislature in 1995, will fund the service to the tune of $5.3 million fo=
r
the first year.

Between North Station in Boston and Sewall Street/Thompson=92s Point in
Portland, Maine, the stops are Haverhill, Mass.; Exeter, Durham and Dover=
,
N.H.; Wells, Saco and Old Orchard Beach, Maine.

------------------------------