BRUNSWICK

Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority opened up the Brunswick layover facility to the public on Saturday as it prepares for full-scale operations next month.

During the open house, visitors could explore the interior of the building, construction of which is nearly complete. The Brunswick building will replace an outdoor layover area in Portland.

Downeaster service was extended from Portland to Brunswick in 2012. Since then, one of NNEPRA’s objectives was to house and service trains as close to the northern terminus as possible, according to NNEPRA Executive Director Patricia Quinn.

“The reason we wanted to put an indoor facility is because we have operated out of Portland for the last 15 years in an outdoor facility, where our workers are in the elements, really struggling with different aspects of weather. Also, it’s not good for the equipment, especially in the winter,” said Quinn.

Photographs at Saturday’s event showed trains whose undersides were caked with snow and ice — a major issue throughout the winter.

Trains will not be repaired at the Brunswick facility, said Brian Beeler, manager of passenger services. Rather, the layover facility is meant to prepare the trains for everyday runs.

“This is service and inspection, (including) cleaning the inside of the coaches, trash, dumping the sewer,” said Beeler.

Inspections will also be conducted at the facility, he said.

By Nov. 21, three train sets will be stationed at the facility overnight where they will power down, allowing the Downeaster to add a third round trip out of Brunswick.

Plans for the facility were years in the making, and the facility hasn’t been without controversy. Many Brunswick residents were concerned that the facility was being constructed near a residential neighborhood.

Also at issue was a stormwater permit that was approved by the Department of Environmental Protection, but only after a lengthy and contentious hearing in 2015.

Visitors on Saturday, however, were generally excited to have the facility there.

“I think it’s great. I mean, it’s just going to influence more people to use the rails, get off the roads and help ease the struggle to the south,” said Andrew Bosso of Georgetown, who was touring the building with his wife, Carolyn. Both were excited that the third round trip being offered would allow them more options when traveling south to Boston and other destinations.

“We’re very, very excited. We’ve waited for this day for a long time,” said Quinn. “The facility is great. We were training crews in here this morning. They’re all excited — they love it. It’s really going to be a game changer for the way the Downeaster service operates.”

Expanded service

• BY NOV. 21, three trains will be stationed at the facility overnight where they will power down, allowing the Downeaster to add a third round trip out of Brunswick.