The US DOT announced grants include upgrading CSX "A" line Palatka -DeLand . This section will then be transferred to Amtrak ownership.
https://railroads.dot.gov/newsroom/federal-railroad-administration-announces-more-326-million-grants-support-railroad
This take over by Amtrak will possible have interesting long term changes. This may cement Amtrak LD florida service ?
How this will go with Sun Rail's planned expansion from DeBarry to DeLand may change ? Volusia county has been unhappy with Sun Rail's expansion delays. Lots of talk building Sun Rail new track to Daytona Beach which is in Volusia county.. Part of "A" line route Hammond - Palatka will be in Flagler county.
Interesting read. What is the status of the talk of the Auburndale sub, as well as the ROW from Petersburg to Raleigh being acquired by Amtrak?
I think NY to FL LD service is a keeper given the frequency of trains and the speed advantage they have traveling over the NEC (which seems to extend South each year). Plus you have near HSR developing in Florida opening up more possibilities. If Amtrak does keep these LD Routes they should really put an effort into making Auto-Train more profitable as well as the other NY-FL trains.
I am all for Auto Train service...the need will be greater as the aging population keeps travelling the east coast and furthermore the whole United States...I travelled from Lorton to Sanford two years ago...nice service personnel but train set needs upgraded badly...better equipment more ridership...spread the service to Chicago and beyond...this is my vision...
The long term Amtrak view of Auto Train may include more service. First Florence, Lorton, and Sanford terminals will need expanding. Then if enough superliner or single level equipment is freeded up then expand east coast first. Then you could sell more cars at peak times by adding more passenger cars. That would require splitting the train between passenger cars and having a loco at the end of the train to provide HEP to rear of train and sending auto racks separately unless the CSX 50 car limit is increased. May be Amtrak's ??
Otherwise another mixed train departing 2 -3 hours before or after the present 52 and 53 ? Hold sales for second train until reguar train sells out,
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That’s a great place to start!
Amtrak need to promote and encourage passenger service, not downgrade it like Southern Pacific did.
What is the time line for this take over ? Is CSX going to upgrade the route to say class 4 or class 5 track before turn over ? Is the pole line signal system going to be replaced ? Any upgrades to crossing signals or gates ? Is PTC activated on the line ? Once transferred will Amtrak take over dispatching ? Will Amtrak consider a faster Maximum authorized speed ? That would onlly apply to Silvers. Who will do maintenance ? Similar to Michigan ? Probably more questions than answers at present.
blue streak 1What is the time line for this take over ? Is CSX going to upgrade the route to say class 4 or class 5 track before turn over ? Is the pole line signal system going to be replaced ? Any upgrades to crossing signals or gates ? Is PTC activated on the line ? Once transferred will Amtrak take over dispatching ? Probably more questions than answers at present.
Track has been maintained to 79 MPH passenger standards and is currently used by Amtrak as well as CSX for their Orlando Coal trains, and daily merchandise train in each direction to the CSX yard just (railroad) South of Orlando. Deland is the North end of Sun Rail's track ownership for the Orlando area commuter operations. Track has had CTC signalling - I don't know if the signalling has been upgraded to PTC, and have no idea who will end up dispatching the territory.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
So 52-miles of former ACL fall under the purview of NRPC. 373-miles of former SAL and L&N track on the panhandle sold to a shortline. CSX's footprint in the Sunshine State gets smaller and smaller whilst new track is being built across the middle from the Atlantic coast inland potentially all the way to the Gulf. Very interesting this place I call home.
Editor Emeritus, This Week at Amtrak
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