Train you eyes on this: a 360-degree viewing car for the Downeaster, for a while

The rarely seen in the Northeast viewing car begins its run this weekend. (Courtesy photo)

PORTLAND, Maine - Amtrak will be putting a full-dome railcar on the Downeaster beginning this weekend and lasting into next month.

It will mark the first time that a 360-degree viewing car will be on the train manifest since it began its Boston to Portland operations in December 2001.

Some passengers who ride the Amtrak Downeaster train between Saturday and Sept. 18 will have a chance to ride in the 1955 car, which features an upper level with windows on all sides.

The train travels four times a day with stops in Old Orchard Beach and Wells in Maine; Dover, Durham and Exeter in New Hampshire; and Haverhill, Mass., en route to North Station in Boston.

Riders on the car will have stunning views of the coastline, marshes and streams along the Downeaster route.

Seats will be unreserved and availaviewing car ble on a first-come, first-served basis with no extra fee.

The Downeaster runs from Boston to Portland, with two trips each day extending to Freeport and Brunswick.