(rshsdepot) Rockland, ME

["Bernie Wagenblast" <brwagenblast_@_comcast.net>]

From today's Bangor Daily News.

Bernie Wagenblast
Transportation Communications Newsletter
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications/

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Rockland to restore historic train station


Trains will be arriving and departing Rockland station by summer in 
conjunction with some big safety improvements to the transportation system. 
Crossing lights will be flashing and train whistles blowing when all is said 
and done.

On time for the tourist season, a temporary platform will be built near the 
station to board and disembark passengers, said Tracy Perez, state 
Department of Transportation policy specialist. A state team is assessing 
the work that needs to be done to restore the station, which has been on the 
National Register of Historic Places since Feb. 7, 1978.

The $1 million rehabilitation of the station, which was built in 1917, 
requires a ``higher standard`` of restoration. Perez said. That`s because 
the brick-and-granite structure, which is capped with a slate roof, has the 
historic designation.

``It`s in rough shape,`` Perez said. The roof leaks and asbestos remains in 
the 5,418-square-foot building at the corner of Union and Pleasant streets.

The station isn`t the only railroad change in line for the Rockland Branch, 
which runs from Rockland`s station to just east of Main and Park streets in 
Brunswick.

A $1.3 million crossing program will begin this summer to make some of the 
55 public crossings along the branch safer by adding signal lights and 
gates.

New Federal Railroad Administration whistle standards will mean train 
whistles will be blowing at more crossings, said Jonathan Shute, general 
manager of Maine Eastern Railroad. Exactly which ones, however, has yet to 
be determined.

Maine Eastern Railroad leases the state-owned Rockland branch.

With the station improvements, increased excursion service is expected.

``It makes it more of a destination,`` Perez said. ``We are hoping to have 
connectivity to the cruise ships coming into Rockland.``

Shute said work on a ``switch`` that diverts trains to either Atlantic Point 
in Rockland or the train station has been completed, and work has begun on a 
rail upgrade from the switch to the train station.

The state owns 58 miles of track on the Rockland Branch, Shute said. The 
bulk of Maine Eastern`s business is freight-related, with its biggest 
customer Dragon Products Co.

Shute said excursion service this summer will increase, with trains running 
every weekend.

``What we`d like to see is movement in establishing a connection between 
Amtrak and us at Brunswick or Portland,`` Shute said.

Excursion trains will start operating weekends and holidays beginning July 
4, said Gordon Fuller, chief operating officer for Maine Eastern.

This summer, a midweek sightseeing train will operate Wednesdays, Thursdays 
and Fridays between Rockland and Bath, Fuller said.

More trains will steam into Rockland for the Maine Lobster Festival, while 
service to Brunswick Naval Air Station`s annual air show is also on tap with 
a shuttle service to the military base.

He said the carrier would like to establish a connection between Amtrak at 
Portland and Maine Eastern.

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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org

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End of RSHSDepot Digest V1 #1078
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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org