A collection of web resources with relevant updates for riders on the Amtrak Downeaster
Unofficial Status Maps and Alerts
Amtrak Status Maps The most reliable collection of real-time Amtrak train locations is a free web service. The Downeaster status can be retreived from the Northeast Region map
ASM Alerts is a web service allowing for customizable train status updates to be sent via SMS/EMail. The service can only retrieve alerts as they are happening however and cannot serve to warn in advance.
Parser script for working with statusmaps.net data- https://github.com/rstavely/amstats
Other Github Repos- https://github.com/mileswwatkins/amtrak_lateness_predictor
Official Amtrak Sources
Anticipated construction delays are occasionally displayed on a subpage at- http://www.amtrakdowneaster.com/ConstructionAlert
Amtrak now provides an official train location map hosted via Google Maps Engine.
A GTFS-Realtime API based on Google Maps Engine- https://github.com/kurtraschke/amtk-gtfsrealtime
MBTA Sources
The Downeaster shares trackage with the MBTA Commuter Rail on portions of the Lowell and Haverhill Lines. If either of these lines are impacted by service delays, it is likely to affect the Downeaster as well. Therefore the following resources provided by the MBTA and MassDOT will be useful.
T Alerts is a service that can be configured to send service alerts specific to the Lowell and Haverhill lines via email or SMS
The following URL also lists commuter rail service advisories as they occur- http://www.mbta.com/rider_tools/transit_updates/
The MBTA GTFS-Realtime Feed includes the most updated information affecting MBTA services, including Commuter Rail.
The LIVE MBTA Map displays real-time train locations on Google Maps. Lowell Line Trains can be found through the following link- http://sites.harvard.edu/~wuensch/T/commuter-rail-map.html?line=lowell#options
Haverhill Line Trains can be found through the following link- http://sites.harvard.edu/~wuensch/T/commuter-rail-map.html
Railroad Radio Frequencies
160.5900 Downeaster Both Trains and Dispatcher Reporting North Station to Wilmington Junction
161.1600 Downeaster Dispatcher Only Lowell Junction to Portland Maine
161.5200 Downeaster Train Only Lowell Junction to Portland Maine
161.3700 Pan Am RR Track Crews (Used During Construction) Lowell Junction to Portland Maine