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By Diana Bowley, Of the NEWS Staff - GREENVILLE - Even though the number of passengers served by the Acadian Railway was not as high as expected in its first year of operation, officials are looking forward eagerly to expanding service next year."The people who came on the train liked it," Randy Parten, owner-operator, said Friday during a telephone interview. In fact, the Acadian Railway received the Five-Star Award from the North American Travel Journalists Association for being the best new attraction for 2002, he said. The Acadian Railway Train consists of 10 posh, streamlined railroad cars from the 1940s and '50s built by the Budd Co. of Philadelphia and retrofitted for safety. It carries up to 226 visitors at a time on scenic rail tours through Quebec, New Brunswick and Maine, including Maine's North Woods. Tickets cost about $300 per day per passenger. As with any new operation, it will take time to build it up, according to Parten. He said the first season did not produce as many bookings as he had hoped, but overall the excursion railway fared well considering the startup came during one of the travel industry's most trying years. "We are pleased because we did jump the hurdles," he said. Company officials are optimistic that next year will be a greater success, based on the company's advance bookings. Two classes of service will be offered next year, since Greenville is lacking in high-end lodging, Parten said. He said passengers in the new economy class of service will be housed at Squaw Mountain Lodge and deluxe-class passengers will continue to stay at the numerous bed-and-breakfast properties throughout Greenville. Parten said he hopes to find a developer willing to construct an upscale lodge in the community to help accommodate the train's deluxe-class passengers. If none is found, he said, his company will build the facility over next winter on property he owns next to the Iron Horse Restaurant. The units, which will be open in 2004, will look down onto Moosehead Lake. The train's schedule next year will be similar to last summer's; however, it will start a little later in June, according to Parten. That is to avoid the black flies and the cold weather, he said. Parten said he plans to build in a tour that will connect Bangor International Airport to the train. Passengers can fly into BIA, where they will be picked up at the airport and taken to Mattawamkeag to meet the train. In addition, Parten said special-themed events are planned for next summer, such as an excursion during the International Seaplane Fly-In, mystery tours and wine tastings. "We are encouraged that it will be a good, strong year," Parten said. More information about the tour packages and tickets can be obtained by calling the Greenville office at 695-3743 or The Train Collection at (281) 866-9200 or on the Web at www.thetraincollection.com. |