BANGOR, Maine — The company that has operated Maine Eastern Railroad’s freight and excursion rail since 2004 announced Friday that it is leaving Maine later this year.
Morristown & Erie Railway has been operating in Maine as the Maine Eastern Railroad, providing year-round freight service and seasonal excursion train service along the Rockland Branch.
The railroad’s main office in Morristown, New Jersey, was notified on Wednesday that the operating lease on the state-owned Rockland Branch, which runs for 58 miles between Brunswick and Rockland, will not be renewed with Maine Eastern. Instead, the local Central Maine & Quebec Railway will assume the freight operations on the Rockland Branch on Jan. 1, 2016, the company said Friday in a news release.
The Morristown & Erie Railway has extensive freight operations in Morris County, New Jersey, and switching operations at the Bayway Refinery in Linden, New Jersey.
“Both have seen significant rail traffic increases in the past four years. The Morristown & Erie will be refocusing its efforts on these operations by pursuing several new business opportunities and continuing to foster the upward trend in freight shipment,” the railroad said.
The rail equipment located on the Rockland Branch will be moved to New Jersey to supplement the railroad’s existing locomotives and rolling stock and help manage the increased business, the railroad company said.
Morristown & Erie also said it does not plan to continue excursion passenger service along the Rockland Branch after this year. The remainder of the Maine Eastern’s current excursion season will continue as scheduled, with Saturday and Sunday round-trips running through Sunday, Oct. 31. Tickets may still be purchased for these excursions at www.MaineEasternRailroad.com or by calling 596-6725.
Chuck Jensen, the vice president and chief operating officer for Maine Eastern Railroad, said Thursday that he is extremely disappointed with the state’s decision to switch operators, saying it will likely mean an end to passenger service along that stretch of track.
Earlier this year, the Maine Department of Transportation solicited proposals to determine what interest there was in continuing freight transportation and perhaps expanding passenger service on that stretch of line.
After reviewing the only two bids submitted, the Maine Department of Transportation selected Central Maine & Quebec Railway to operate the line, according to department spokesman Ted Talbot. He said there was no state money available, however, to subsidize an expansion of passenger service.
The department is negotiating terms of the 10-year contract with the Hermon-based Central Maine & Quebec Railway, with the lease expected to take effect Jan. 1, 2016, Talbot said.
Central Maine will replace Maine Eastern Railroad, which has operated the line since 2003. The new operator will be responsible for maintaining the tracks just as the old operator had been required to do.
Jensen said nine employees of Maine Eastern will lose their jobs because of the decision.
Maine Eastern offers tourist excursion runs during the summer but the bulk of its business is carrying freight.
“The Maine Eastern Railroad would like to thank its customers, passengers, supporters and the state of Maine for the opportunity to operate the Rockland Branch for the past twelve years,” the railroad said. “The railroad also wishes the Central Maine & Quebec the best success with its new operation.”