RE: (rshsdepot) Dover, NH

["Kenyon F. Karl" <kenyon_@_getglobal.net>]

This brand new station at Dover apparently replaces a 1960's era concrete
block structure from the 1960's that has no historic merit. The Dairy Bar at
Durham is apparently in the original station - and the new platform at
Exeter is apparently adjacent to an original station (still used for other
purposes).

Kenyon F. Karl
Webmaster_@_new-england-public-transit.org
http://www.new-england-public-transit.org


- -----Original Message-----
From: rshsdepot-owner_@_lists.railfan.net
[mailto:rshsdepot-owner_@_lists.railfan.net]On Behalf Of Jim Dent
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2001 2:40 AM
To: RSHS List
Subject: (rshsdepot) Dover, NH


-From Foster's Online...

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

DOVER — Passenger train stations are fast taking shape, but the train can’t
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, contractors
cannot build platforms and Amtrak cannot stop its trains that will provide
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’s station is 80 percent complete and crews will begin
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 Dairy
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 (Guilford)
won’t 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 further,
since plans only call for a platform at the Lincoln Street site.

The Wells, Maine, station, managed by the Maine Turnpike Authority, is well
under way, according to Ron Roy in the Department of Transportation’s Office
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’s 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, but
has controls that are linked to the powered unit at the other end.

Despite news of ballooning deficits and the need to be fiscally independent
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 Maine
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 for
the first year.

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

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