Great way to introduce Kids to Trains!

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Perfect for Kids, because it's not to long, they don't get bored or hungry, plus it's not expensive! Here is what we did. Had lunch at home and headed into the Portland Amtrak terminal. You can park for free and then help the kids buy a ticket and maybe grab a soda or candy bar from the vending machine. Then head through those big glass doors and walk out past train number 684 that is warming up and ready to go. Board the modern passenger cars with large comfortable seats. Hear the Conductors call out "all a board" and feel the gentle lurch as the powerful DownEaster pulls out of the station. The ride is great as you parallel the Veterans Memorial Bridge into South Portland. You go right by the Oil Storage facility, pass through a cemetery and then go by Rigby Yard as the kids watch for the Conductor to come and punch their ticket. The ride takes you out to Black Point Road crossing through the scenic Scarborough Marsh area. As you enter the Town of Old Orchard Beach you see the ocean and travel past hotels and buildings the length of Grand Ave until you feel the train slow down as it goes through the center of town and comes to it's first stop. Old Orchard Beach cries out the conductor. But, instead of traveling for the next 3 hours to Boston, you get off right here. Wave good bye as the south bound train pulls away and you explore the area.

You only have to wait 10 minutes. You can see the Pirate Boat and other rides close by but you have a better ride headed your way! The northbound train number 683 is now pulling in to view on the same track you were on. How do they do that?, you ask the kids. The big engine seems to glide by the raised platform and passengers cars slow to a stop right in front of you. The door opens and the Conductor welcomes you aboard. You settle down and get your camera ready for the sights on the way back home. It's as much fun going back until the train pulls slowly back into the main terminal and you look out those big windows and see it come to a gentle stop. It's fun to climb down the steps, say good by to the train crew and walk along side those shiny cars and take one last close up look at the big diesel engine before you turn back into the Portland Terminal Building. The whole trip only took 40 minutes and you cannot beat the price of $2.00 each way for the kids and only $4.00 for adults. What a great way to have all the excitement of a real train experience and introduce it to the kids on a level they will enjoy.

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