When Brightline was negotiating ROW with the parallel (Orlando-Cocoa) Beachline Expressway authority, the highway engineer said that his main concern was that Brightline didn't compete with them with a station at Cocoa. I presumed that the agreement would have been conditional on no Cocoa station.
MidlandMikeWhen Brightline was negotiating ROW with the parallel (Orlando-Cocoa) Beachline Expressway authority, the highway engineer said that his main concern was that Brightline didn't compete with them with a station at Cocoa. I presumed that the agreement would have been conditional on no Cocoa station.
...the business implications of a Brevard County Brightline stop could allow for more businesses on the Space Coast to tap into the talent pool in Orlando. “Potential future business in areas such as Orlando will allow us the ability to cast a wider net for job talents to bring here to the Space Coast. It’s something that we’re looking forward to, specifically with the Brightline system,” [Adrian] Kellgren [of a local firm, Kel-Tec] said.
“Potential future business in areas such as Orlando will allow us the ability to cast a wider net for job talents to bring here to the Space Coast. It’s something that we’re looking forward to, specifically with the Brightline system,” [Adrian] Kellgren [of a local firm, Kel-Tec] said.
Remember that the Space Coast TPO had a Brevard County static discussion that culminated in this report from 2016.
https://www.spacecoasttpo.com/home/showpublisheddocument/290/637745645362400000
Presumably the plot thickens because Brevard County doesn't have toll roads by choice, but their mileage of 528 is 'hostage' to tolling in the west for revenue they don't see.
More complete track construction completed. That allows more track to be 2 main tracks. Do not believe this is the HrSR testing site yet. Probably still needs signaling work?
Brightline Construction: Vero Beach, Fort Pierce, Jensen Beach, and Stuart Progress - June 2022 - YouTube
Brightline installs a 5 track signal bridge. Believe it is located just south of Cocoa CP.
Watch: Time-lapse video of signal bridge installment - Railway Track and Structures (rtands.com)
Caldonian sleeper passengers go no where. At least one passenger got a good nights sleep.
Man wakes up after night on sleeper train to find it never left Glasgow | Scotland | The Guardian
OvermodWhile I understand the desire to maintain toll revenue, I'm not sure that a considerable amount of 'new business' between the Orlando region and Cocoa would actually constitute 'lost revenue'.
You have to consider the source of the comment and the fear highway developers have of HSR competing with them for government money.
A few videos of Brightline 's 79 MPH testing from railway track and structures. Does anyone know if the "off side"secondary gates lowering shown in the first video is according to FRA rules?
Watch: Brightline high-speed testing begins on portion of Orlando line - Railway Track and Structures (rtands.com)
blue streak 1A few videos of Brightline 's 79 MPH testing from railway track and structures. Does anyone know if the secondary gates lowering shown in the first video is according to FRA rules? Watch: Brightline high-speed testing begins on portion of Orlando line - Railway Track and Structures (rtands.com)
Doubt that the original view of the gates have them set for 79 MPH operation. To my mind, the 'off side' gates should have been fully lowered prior to the train occupying the crossing.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Progress on Aventura and BocaRaton stations. Have to wonder if they are going to be complete by end of year? There is a short follow update for the end of July but not by Roaming.
Brightline Construction: Aventura and Boca Raton Station Progress - June 25, 2022 - YouTube
Innovation way to Cocoa progress report. the construction is getting closer to connecting Orlando to Cocoa. As understood connecting the 2 is waiting for 2 additional rail trains to deliver rail to be installed.
Brightline Construction: Orlando Line Progress - July 2022 - YouTube
Bonaventure CP cutover and track relocation.
Brightline Construction: ATC19 Signal and Double Track Cutover Overview - YouTube
News paper article that Brightline moving start up into 2023. Even private RR constructions can get delayed.
However have not seen an official announcemen from Brightline.
Brightline service through Vero to Orlando pushed back to next year - 32963 Features, 32963 News, All News, Featured News Secondary, News - Vero News
When they had to source ballast from Canada I wondered what else they are having trouble getting.
More on Bonaventure.
Brightline Construction ATC19 Cutover: CP Bonaventure to CP Viera & Bonaventure Siding - July 2022 - YouTube
Aug 19th release.
Brightline Construction: Removing the Pineda North Turnout - ATC19 Cutover July 24, 2022 - YouTube
Nice presentation from FEC
https://youtu.be/OMsV_-6U6xo
The last train load of rail delivered by CSX to Orlando utilities spur. Has started unloading at the west end of track. This load is the last needed of 136 # rail for the project. Includes MIA to Cocoa and Cocoa to Orlando.
Final Rail Train for Brightline's Orlando Expansion - August 2022 - YouTube
Spent a long weekend at Epcot for a destination wedding. Had flown into Sanford airport. On driving back to Sanford on Sunday on 417, crossed under the new Brightline line. An RC Corman self-propelled unit was crossing above as I approached the bridge.
On the flight down, I sat next to a guy who owns a commercial building across the street from the Kissimmee railroad station. He said his retail tenants were excited when Sunrail started up, thinking there'd be much more foot traffic to draw business from. He said it's turned out to be a bust. Hasn't helped at all. Said many times the trains have an engine on each end with one passenger car in between. He's not moved about Brightline. Said people want to drive their cars. Hope he'll see something different with Brightline.
GrampSunrail
So one item that has been lost in the public takeover of commute services from the private railroads is why people drive vs taking the train. It's not that people like their cars better as you surmise. It is because the infrastructure of the automobile makes the choice of the automobile more convienent and offers a faster trip time.
This is why Chicago - Milwaukee is rapidly becomming the most successful Amtrak corridor in terms of ridership and cost recovery. The trip time while slighly slower than car is overcome by the downtown to downtown convienence, cost and time savings of avoiding rush hour traffic & parking fees but most importantly the increasing RT trainset frequencies make the train almost as convienent as taking a car.
Sunrail is just in the startup phase my guess and their trip time with all the stops is probably no where near as convienent as the car, speeds are probably not all that great either. So I would not expect Sunrail to carry a decent load of passengers at this point. Brightline should do a LOT better than Sunrail just based on the for profit business model as well as their higher speed and dare I say they will probably have more train frequencies than Sunrail. So I would not use Sunrail as a predictor of how Brightline will do.
That was his experience and opinion of Sunrail and Brightline, not mine.
CMStPnPThis is why Chicago - Milwaukee is rapidly becomming the most successful Amtrak corridor in terms of ridership and cost recovery. The trip time while slighly slower than car is overcome by the downtown to downtown convienence, cost and time savings of avoiding rush hour traffic & parking fees but most importantly the increasing RT trainset frequencies make the train almost as convienent as taking a car.
At certain times of day and with highway construction, the trains are faster, too.
GrampOn the flight down, I sat next to a guy who owns a commercial building across the street from the Kissimmee railroad station. He said his retail tenants were excited when Sunrail started up, thinking there'd be much more foot traffic to draw business from. He said it's turned out to be a bust. Hasn't helped at all. Said many times the trains have an engine on each end with one passenger car in between. He's not moved about Brightline. Said people want to drive their cars. Hope he'll see something different with Brightline.
Brightline has one major obstacle to mitigate: lack of access to downtown Orlando. In Miami the station is on the north end of town astride the city offices, convenient access to the Miami Metro and people mover, and eventually the station will also be used by Tri-Rail. Thus far there is nothing like that on the horizon for Orlando. Some means of making SunRail and Brightline feeders unto one another is necessary for their respective successes.
Editor Emeritus, This Week at Amtrak
Well, having spent a couple days navigating the Disney neighborhood, even at Disney's lean season and Disney having ticked off a large part of their fan base, the number of autos there is astounding. I would not want to live there.
GrampWell, having spent a couple days navigating the Disney neighborhood, even at Disney's lean season and Disney having ticked off a large part of their fan base, the number of autos there is astounding. I would not want to live there.
Here is video of installing southbound CP Cocoa signal bridge. It is amazing how this installation may have no other RR in the USA looks. Especially note the higher speed turnouts. Wonder if FEC anticipates some reduction in running times between MIA ( Hialeah ) and thru COCOA north.
https://youtu.be/ZCYiJtaG2Fk
blue streak 1 Here is video of installing southbound CP Cocoa signal bridge.
Here is video of installing southbound CP Cocoa signal bridge.
Where is the link to the Video?
from the Far East of the Sunset Route
(In the shadow of the Huey P Long bridge)
Orlado's airport terminal C is now open for business. At first mainly for international travelers. Time for Brightline to continue its progress and get service started there.
Automated TSA lanes and an airside Disney Store: Orlando's Terminal C is now open (msn.com)
110 MPH testing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gfv2U--YK84
Very neat.
York1 John
I asked my doctor if I gave up delicious food and all alcohol, would I live longer? He said, "No, but it will seem longer."
FEC now has 32 mile to 2 main track at Cocoa.. Completed Oct 29.
Brightline Construction: Peachtree Street Track Cut and Throw - October 29, 2022 - YouTube
Loxahatchee drawbridge update Oct 23.
Brightline Construction: Loxahatchee River Drawbridge Progress - October 23, 2022 - YouTube
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