Maine

You have less than a month to ride in this unique car on Amtrak’s Downeaster line

August 23, 2016

1 minute to read

The clock is ticking on your chance soak in 360-degree views traveling in a vintage train car between Maine and Boston.

From now until September 18, passengers can ride in Amtrak’s 70-year-old Great Dome car on the Downeaster train line between Portland and Boston, according to the Portland Press Herald. The upper level of the car, which was built in 1955, gives travelers seated in padded swivel chairs a unique and broad view of the passing scenery.

https://www.facebook.com/AmtrakDowneaster/posts/10154367713982145

It’s the first time the dome car has run for revenue service in New England, according to the Press Herald. And it might be the only chance for Downeaster passengers to try out the car, since whether it returns again next year is dependent on this year’s performance.

According to the Press Herald, the car is the only of its kind in Amtrak’s service and has an annual route between Albany, New York, and Montreal during the fall foliage season.

https://www.facebook.com/AmtrakDowneaster/videos/10154379566502145/

Kerstin Egenhofer, who discovered the bright car by chance on a day trip to Portland from Boston, told the Press Herald it was hard to leave it once she discovered the views it offered.

“I wanted to make an experience out of my trip,” Egenhofer told the paper. “This put the bow on it.”

The car is running four daily trips on the Downeaster line, and there’s no extra fee for riding in it.

Read the full report at the Press Herald.