Here is a recent photo of rail service on the Augusta East Side Augusta, Me. The new Rt. 3 bridge can be seen in the distance. The past saw this line traveled very heavely the tressle that crossed the Kennebec river use to be double tracked. trains stopped crossing that tressle from the West side to the East side in the early 80's and the flood of 87 damaged the tressle so not many trains traveled that bridge since. Presently trains travel this route from the Waterville yard and onto Blue Seal feeds, Civi Steel and a junk yard via a spur. This line gets service about 3 times a week i was told. Now for the future this is the site of the former Statler tissue. In a recent KJ artice called rail service in Maine a local politicain said this would make a great future rail station because it already has ample parking, close to the rails and close to I-95. with the proposed expansion of the Amtrak Downeaster to Brunswick on track, Maine Eastern could travle this line from Bruswick to Augusta and beyond. with all the recent expansion and interest in railroading in Maine and other States along with excursion trains more frequently happening, why couldn't Maine Eastern or the Amtrak Downeaster run a special excursion train from Portland to Bangor or Cananda? two issuies have risen from this. 1. There is a debate about using the old Brunwick/Lewiston line, however many places where that line travels next to Rt. 196 the line is in sad condition, but the State/fed Govt said there is a interest in this line a grant or benchmark, more to come. 2. From Bruswick to Augusta all the rail is complete and some was replaced in 02-03. Clean up the crossings, uncover the rails in downtown Augusta, and let the trains travel though here again. I can say this, everyone I have talked to about this agrees on one thing. When the Amtrak Downeaster finally makes it to Brunswick, the first passengers will enjoy the trip but others will soon say this for sure "why did you stop there?" good question. Destination: Brunswick, Augusta, Waterville, Bangor & Canada. Feel free to send me an e-mail about this story. Nokia Camera Phone. Hey why not spice it up some right? part of this story has been told in the Local Newspaper and I personally wrote my own opinion and sent a letter to Governor Baldacci. He has yet to reply, but a local Senator has personally talked to me about this and is very interested in my view along with other railfans in Maine.

Photographed by Bernard Cole II, September 23, 2007.
Added to the photo archive by Bernard Cole II, September 23, 2007.
Railroad: Pan Am Railways.

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