But it's all in a day's work for Michelle Pelletier, Acadian's Greenville operations manager, who works out of the former Blue Moose Cafe on Moosehead Lake Road. "The response has been unbelievable. We're getting 40 to 50 phone calls a day here, and they've had to put extra help on in Houston (Acadian's corporate headquarter) just to handle the extra volume," said Pelletier.

Preparations are fast and furious as the countdown begins for the arrival of the first Acadian Railways luxury passenger train at around 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 9 in Greenville Junction. The train and its estimated 130 passengers per trip will stop in Greenville twice weekly for 13 weeks en route to Saint John, New Brunswick and Montreal.

In addition to paying passengers from points north and east, the first train will be packed with major media representatives and state dignitaries. Gov. Angus King had originally planned to ride the Acadian from Jackman to Greenville, but a commitment to speak at a graduation exercise will prevent the chief executive from joining the historic trip, according to State Rep. Sharon Libby Jones.

The town of Greenville and the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) have prepared gifts bag for the passengers with area souvenirs; and since the riders will have a two-day stopover in Greenville, they'll have adequate time to see the sights at their own pace.

Getting around won't be much of a problem since they'll be able to use free shuttle "moose buses" - painted brown with antlers - from Squaw Mountain to the downtown area or some of the more popular tourist destinations.

Acadian Railways has also chartered the Katahdin cruise ship for two days per week for three weeks in June, according Moosehead Marine Museum Executive Director Richard "Duke" McKeil. "Naturally, we're delighted. We normally run five days a week and these charters on Monday and Thursdays will make it seven days starting in July," said McKeil.

The Katahdin has a capacity of 225, so McKeil anticipates that they will be room for more passengers even on days the ship is booked by Acadian Railways. "I understand that they're estimating 130 per trip, so that works out great for us," he said.

Moosehead Lake Region Chamber of Commerce President Joe DiAngelo said that his organization's members are also very excited about the train's arrival. "This is a historic moment in the community; and along with the passengers, we expect a lot of visitors who just want to see the train. But the most important thing is that we want people to enjoy Greenville well enough to want to come back," said DiAngelo.

The Chamber office has also been deluged with calls about Acadian Railway, said DiAngelo. "Our job is to provide a vital service to the business community and the Acadian's arrival is a good example. Hopefully, we'll be able to pick up some new members this summer," said the Chamber president.

Pelletier said that the business community has going out of its way to help her during the final hectic days before the train arrives. "Not a day goes by that someone doesn't call and ask if we need a hand," said Pelletier.

Local restaurant owners Karen and Ray LeClair of the Rod Œn Reel Cafe also say that they anticipate doing extra business on the days when the train is on its layover. "I think the Acadian will certainly help local business, but it's really hard to say how much. I'm sure they will be a lot of people in town on the first day. So I think after a few trips, we'll have a better idea," said Karen LeClair.

Acadian Railways bought the former Cabbage Patch Restaurant in LIttle Moose Township last year, renamed it the Iron Horse and is expanding the facility to seat up to 200 patrons.

Another major project was the renovation of 54 rooms at Squaw Mountain Ski Resort using furniture from Moosehead Manufacturing Co. in Monson. "We like to use local companies when we can and (Moosehead Manufacturing president) John Wentworth has been great," said Acadian Railways President John "Randy" Parten.

The Acadian "experience" will certainly be unique, especially for those who have never traveled on a passenger train. The company uses fully-rebuilt stainless-steel streamline cars from the 1940s and 1950s originally built by the Budd Company of Philadelphia. All have been renovated to meet current safety and comfort standards but the classic wood and brass interiors have been retained.
"This content originally appeared as a copyrighted article in the Moosehead Messenger and is used here with permission."