Downeaster gets approval to raise speed

PORTLAND – A federal court ruling clears the way for Amtrak and Guilford Rail Systems to settle their dispute over the top speed of the Downeaster train, the head of Maine’s Office of Passenger Transportation said.

Ron Ray said the ruling by the Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., supports Amtrak’s efforts to increase the maximum speed from 59 to 79 mph.

That could cut the travel time between Boston and Portland by up to 10 minutes. The trip, including eight station stops during the summer, takes two hours and 45 minutes.

Amtrak and Guilford are talking about additional track improvements, such as fixing stretches near Wells and adding a side track. Roy said the 114-mile trip to Boston could be shortened to two hours and 30 minutes.

Chop Hardenbergh, editor of Atlantic Northeast Rails & Ports, a weekly newsletter, said the higher speeds would help the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority market the train, even if it only shortens the run by a few minutes.

“Trains going 79 mph are clearly faster than the speeds people are supposed to be going down the interstate,” he said.

Because the train stops at stations and slows down in other places, such as swampy areas and curves, the average speed for the trip is 41 mph.

Hardenbergh said he wouldn’t be surprised if Guilford appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court, and expressed doubts that the train will be traveling at 79 mph anytime soon.

“With Guilford, are you kidding?” he said. “This is not the end.”