PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Passenger rail’s recent one-day return to The County proved popular, with more than 500 area residents boarding three excursions to benefit pediatric and newborn care locally.
Offered by Maine Northern Railway, in partnership with The Aroostook Medical Center and WAGM-TV, the train rides helped raise over $12,000 to support the purchase of a bilirubin blanket, a portable phototherapy device used to treat babies with jaundice, and a Panda Warmer unit, a newer technology used to keep newborns healthy.
“It has been great to see so many in the community support the newborn nursery program here at TAMC over the years,” said Dr. Peter Morningstar, pediatrician at TAMC’s Aroostook Pediatrics. “The train excursion was a huge success and showed yet again that the residents of Aroostook County are enthusiastic about bringing the latest and the greatest technology to our new babies here in Presque Isle.”
Two sold-out runs on June 20, departing at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. from downtown Presque Isle, took passengers to scenic Scopan Lake and back to the Star City. A third early morning run at 6:30 a.m. had passengers boarding buses from downtown Presque Isle to travel to Masardis, where they hopped on and rode the train into Presque Isle. The early run was added after the first two excursions booked quickly.
“It was a great time and something that you don’t always get to do in Aroostook County,” said passenger Sam Dobson. “My wife and I really enjoyed it, and I definitely hope that it’s something that can be done again in the future.”
Three passenger cars were brought in for the event from MNR’s sister rail company, NB Southern Railway, headquartered in Saint John, New Brunswick. The train was powered by two of MNR’s signature green locomotives, which have become a familiar sight throughout northern Maine as the rail company successfully continues to grow its business in the region.
“Maine Northern Railway employees live and work in the Aroostook County region, so we are proud to be a partner of such a worthwhile cause. TAMC’s excursion train ride helped raise funds that will benefit newborn and pediatric patients in the area,” said Wayne Power, vice president of JDI Transportation and Logistics.
Providers and staff from Aroostook Pediatrics, TAMC OB/GYN and Midwifery Services, and the Women and Children’s Unit at the A. R. Gould Memorial Hospital rode the rails with passengers to greet and thank riders for supporting their work.
Morningstar, who participated in the afternoon run, expressed his gratitude to those who put forth the time and effort. “Thanks to everyone who came to ride the train and to all the volunteers from TAMC, WAGM and Maine Northern Railway for supporting this cause,” he said.
This is the second such day of excursions Maine Northern Railway and TAMC have partnered on in central Aroostook. A similar fundraiser was done collaboratively in 2013, and organizers hope to partner again in the future.
