I disagree to some extent here. I live in Brunswick and have had to ride the train down several times, mostly very early in the morning (through to North Station). I've been almost alone on the train, but I've also seen it quite crowded. The bulk of the ridership on the southbound trip definitely boards in Portland, though.

With that being said I'll jealously guard my ability to board the train less than a mile from my house in Brunswick ... I just wish it didn't stop a hundred times on the trip to Boston effectively making the trip an hour longer than driving or taking a Concord Coach.