Eastern Trail

ET Outings Page - The Great Amtrak-Eastern Trail Loop Ride

On Sunday October 27, 2002, six ETA trustees and supporters including Tony Barrett, Trustee of the East Coast Greenway Alliance, checked out Amtrak’s Bikes-on-Board system. Our loop ride used Amtrak from Portland to Wells. We completed the loop by biking the ET from Wells to Portland. We were delighted at Amtrak’s courtesy and helpfulness. Amtrak’s train crew really understands customer service. We were so pleased we sent a letter to Amtrak’s President Gunn thanking Amtrak. Bikes were loaded into the cabbage car before anyone boarded the passenger cars. Then we were the first allowed to board the train. The ET and signs were great. The ET route is beautiful. The 48-mile bike ride to Portland’s Amtrak Station was awesome day. We wished Portland had a bike route to its Amtrak station as good as the ET:

• click here for specific text information on how to get from the ET to the Amtak station

• click here for a map, created by John Andrews and Steve Shapiro, showing the recommended route to or from the Casco Bay Bridge, from or to Amtrak.
  
  Lessons learned: Although some of purchased tickets just before boarding, Conductor Joseph MacKinnon told us we should reserve bike space ahead of time to be sure there will be room. The cabbage car seemed to have space for only 7 bikes. Bring cords or bungees to secure your bikes in the on-board bike racks. Carry snacks and beverages because there are miles and miles with no stores. Bike this loop. You'll love it. 

Click on any of the thumbnail pictures below to see a larger image

We were called out onto the platform about 20 minutes early to help load the bikes into the "cabbage" car.  Make sure you make a reservation for your bike!	Bikes loaded into their storage racks, we have time for a posed picture before we head for our seats
Maggie and Dave, and Mac across the aisle, relax waiting for the train to start, and for the dining car to open!	Our band of merry riders, on our ride northward through beautiful farms and woodlands. John is taking this picture of Maggie in front, then Tony and Dave....
... And  Larry and then Mac bring up the rear of the group.  The new ET signs are now all along the trail in York County, and most of Cumberland.....	...These signs make it easy and fool-proof to follow the on-road route.  208 of these signs are now installed, and more will be installed in 2003.