As follow-up to a July Heritage Days stationary open-house display in Bath and “The train is back” excursion weekend at Rockland’s Lobster Festival, Midcoast Railservice plans a similar curtain-raising event for Wiscasset on Saturday, Aug. 26.  The “Coastliner” self-propelled railcar will be available to check out on the waterfront at 9 a.m. and will make the first of three hour-long round trips to Bath at 10 a.m. 

The larger purpose is to raise public awareness of possibilities for the underused Brunswick-Rockland rail line as an alternative to Route One.

As a “Coastal Route 2” travel alternative, “Coastliner” management is working with track owner Maine Department of Transportation to target markets for expanded train travel, which in the past focused largely on seasonal tourism. They are evaluating ways to improve local mobility between the five communities on the line, offer car-free options for same-day round trips to Brunswick, Freeport and Portland, and eventually enable connectivity with Amtrak’s “Downeaster” for trips to southern Maine and Boston. 

In a time of concern about resource conservation and environmental sensitivity, the public needs to think about options to the automobile and truck.  The spacious, restroom-equipped “Coastliner” offers a fuel-efficient, environmentally preferable means of public transportation with comfortable seating, oversized windows, climate control and internet access.