Title:  The Downeaster - Lessons Learned and the Future of Rail Passenger Service in Maine

             --  Wayne Davis, TrainRiders/Northeast Chairman

Description: The return of passenger rail service to Maine is a story 13 years in the making, but the nation's newest passenger corridor, which launched in December 2001, could be a model for future state-supported passenger runs. You'll discover why at the May 14th Maine PMI Chapter meeting when Wayne Davis, President of TrainRiders/Northeast, the Citizen's organization whose unrelenting tenacity made it happen - he will tell '"the rest of the story" regarding lessons learned and the future of rail transportation in Maine.

"Do you realize it has taken longer to get this train here — 13 years — than it took to build the first transcontinental railroad during the Civil War?" asked Bob Hall incredulously at the opening dedication of the line." But make notes. Because what the country's latest rail corridor represents is a prototype that works in spite of all kinds of obstacles that would never be thrown in the Downeaster's path if it rolled on rubber tires or flew through the air. See this article for more: http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/002/049cmqub.asp

Speaker Biography: Wayne E. Davis is a founding member and Chairman of TrainRiders/Northeast, a non-profit educational corporation of over 1300 members formed in June of 1989 to bring AMTRAK passenger rail service to Maine as the first step to expanding Amtrak service in Northern New England. 

In his position as Chairman, he has worked closely with local, state and federal transportation officials as well as members of the New England Congressional Delegation for funding, resulting in federal grants of close to $63 million dollars for right-of-way improvements and $20 million dollars worth of AMTRAK passenger rail equipment for the Portland/Dover/Boston rail service.  He has also worked closely with four presidents of AMTRAK and their top management.  He is a Vice-President of the National Association of Railroad Passengers in Washington, DC and served two years on the Congressionally created National Commission on Intermodal Transportation.  Davis serves on both a Regional Transportation Advisory Committee and the Passenger Advisory Committee for the Maine DOT. He is a founding member of the Mountain Division Alliance, formed to preserve the rail line between Portland and North Conway, NH, and is a board member of the National Corridors Initiative Corp of Providence, RI., the business group promoting high speed rail development across America.  In addition, he has been actively involved with the North and South Station rail link project in Boston through the Citizens Advisory Committee and the Rail Task Force created by former Governor Weld of Massachusetts.

Before his full time volunteerism for TrainRiders, Mr. Davis was Chief Executive Officer of BankEast Mortgage Corp. in Maine.  Previously, he was with the Maine State Housing Authority, serving first as Development Officer and later as Finance Officer.  Prior to that time, he was employed many years in various managerial capacities for the Canal National Bank of Portland.

During his 30 years in banking, Mr. Davis taught real estate finance classes at the University of Maine and for many years served on the Advisory Board of the University’s Institute for Real Estate Education and Research.  He is a founding member and two time President of the Mortgage Bankers Association of Maine.

He enjoys memberships on numerous other boards and committees, including the Greater Portland Chamber of Commerce and the Poland Spring Historical Society.  For his volunteer efforts with AMTRAK, Federal, State and Local Officials, Mr. Davis has been honored by both the Maine and the New England Chapters of The American Planning Association as Citizen Planner of The Year.  He’s a Navy veteran, having served 4 years on active duty during the Korean Conflict.  His educational background includes Boston University and Nasson College.  He has lived in Maine for over 65 years.

Directions:  Wright Express Cafe, 54 Darling Ave, South Portland

• From 95 -
  Take exit for Airport onto Western Ave (south) to right on Payne Road (Maine Mall Rd.).
  Next left onto Darling Ave. 
  Right at the Wright Express building (54 Darling).

• From 295 -
  From Exit 3, take right onto Westbrook St. to Western Ave (Young's Furniture on Corner).
  Next Left onto Foden Rd.
  Next Right onto Darling Ave. 
  Left at 54 Darling Ave. at the Wright Express building

Park in rear between 1st and 2nd building. Enter through Cafe door. This is a full glass door with direct view from the Cafe.

Call the Maine Chapter Voicemail at 207-766-5514 or 766-5836 information about meeting cancellations in case of inclement weather.