charlie hebdo CMStPnP 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. At certain times of day and with highway construction, the trains are faster, too.
CMStPnP 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.
At certain times of day and with highway construction, the trains are faster, too.
Even when Joe Lunchpail gets in the way?
An "expensive model collector"
n012944Even when Joe Lunchpail gets in the way?
It's not his fault its the "Metra Express" and Metras operational procedures which have largely not changed since inheritance from the private railroads. Though dare I say it, if the Milwaukee Road was still in charge on that corridor of the Commute Trains the Chicago to Milwaukee Trains would always arrive on time to the minute (not to Amtraks 15 min padded min). We would be back to the true definition of ON TIME arrival vs the Lets Pretend.
More info on the Oct 29 cut over just south of Cocoa that became 32 miles of 2 main tracks plus several miles of 3 and 4 tracks & Cocoa yard lead..
(1) Brightline Construction: Installing the Cocoa Yard Lead South Turnout - October 2022 - YouTube
I found it odd that the signal masts we after the switch points. I thought the switch would be past the signals.
rdamonI found it odd that the signal masts we after the switch points. I thought the switch would be past the signals.
I concur in your surprise. The narrator stated that the signals were Intermediates, not Absolutes. If that is the case I suspect the switch will be an electric locked hand throw switch, not a power operated switch.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
More on the new stations between Palm Beach and MIA.
(1) Brightline Construction: Progress on the New Aventura and Boca Raton Stations - November 2022 - YouTube
BaltACD rdamon I found it odd that the signal masts we after the switch points. I thought the switch would be past the signals. I concur in your surprise. The narrator stated that the signals were Intermediates, not Absolutes. If that is the case I suspect the switch will be an electric locked hand throw switch, not a power operated switch.
rdamon I found it odd that the signal masts we after the switch points. I thought the switch would be past the signals.
Makes sense. It does not look like they are adding any signals on the north end that is on the VRF camera.
It looks to me as if the northbound signals are right at the switch points with the indicator for entry into the siding only for clearance. If it were a power switch it would have to be interlocked with that mandatory derail; I'd suspect that (as noted) both the switch and derail will be manually actuated in use... going and coming.
If it's just an automatic signal (intermediate), then you want the switch points before. You enter the main and prety much instantly get signal indication - limits time you spend delayed in block.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
Have a look at this and see 4:27. I thought there would be something more secure with Brightline regarding crossings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeQoJs4hoyM
54light15Have a look at this and see 4:27. I thought there would be something more secure with Brightline regarding crossings. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeQoJs4hoyM
What more do expect beyond 4 quadrant gates? Stupid is as Stupid does.
The only thing that I would consider is safety cables in addition to the crossing gates similar to those used by the City of Chicago on vertical lift and single-leaf bascule bridges.
Nice footage of thermite welding
alphas People keep talking about the DFW to San Antonio corridor and existing RR rights-of-way. But I remember reading that Amtrak's bigest problem operating over it was the directional freight running on the 2 lines between these end points that caused much of the delays. It sounds to me like it would still be a very major expense for something like Brightline to operate between the 2 end points due to this directional freight set-up.
People keep talking about the DFW to San Antonio corridor and existing RR rights-of-way. But I remember reading that Amtrak's bigest problem operating over it was the directional freight running on the 2 lines between these end points that caused much of the delays. It sounds to me like it would still be a very major expense for something like Brightline to operate between the 2 end points due to this directional freight set-up.
Brightline management specifically mentioned Dallas to Houston as an expansion corridor before the whole Texas Central debacle. You can probably still Google those comments from Brightline.
In regards to Dallas to San Antonio. A while back the state floated an idea to relocate the UP Main to West of the congested areas along much of Austin to San Antonio if the state could in return have the existing rail for just passenger service. UP went along and then eventually gave up waiting on the state to put a plan out there. So I think there is still hope with the corridor.
Additionally Austin to Houston as well. Which does not exist currently but I suspect the State is also interested in. Just keep hearing loose comments about it here and there.
CSSHEGEWISCHThe only thing that I would consider is safety cables in addition to the crossing gates similar to those used by the City of Chicago on vertical lift and single-leaf bascule bridges.
Cane creek second track bridge has all spans installed. However ballast trough still remains to be constructed.
Brightline Construction Bridge Edition: Installing the Final Span at Crane Creek - November 2022 - YouTube
another bridge last span, Bright line gets closing the gaps mainly over bridges. Now does brightline have all the parts for signaling to begin testing from PALM BEACH - Cocoa to 110 MPH. Eau Gallie river.
Brightline Construction Bridge Edition: Final Girder Installation at the Eau Gallie River - YouTube
Now Sebastion river bridge last girder. Three quick ones.
Brightline Construction Bridge Edition: Sebastian River Final Girder Installation - November 2022 - YouTube
Make that four! A little behind the other three.
Frontenac 2 main tracking to Cocoa CP. This gived FEC 2 main tracks from Titusville to past COCOA. Will allow additional fexibility at Cocoa for Brightline especially when 2 main tracks extended to Orlando sometime in the future.
Brightline Construction: The Completed Frontenac Improvement Project Full Flight Overview - YouTube
Loxahatchee River draw bridge (single leaf bascule 2 main tracks ) has the last bridge span now in place. Track work already has track being put down on the second span of the bridge.
Brightline Construction Bridge Edition: Loxahatchee River Drawbridge - December 20, 2022 - YouTube
now some 24 miles of 2 main tracks from CP Cocoa to CP Bonaventure.
Brightline Construction: CP Cocoa to CP Bonaventure Complete Overview - YouTube
Here is a cliff notes of the progress thru the year 2022.
Brightline Construction: 2022 Year in Review - YouTube
Is Brightline profitable yet? I heard they are on track with internal projections still but not sure what that means specifically and sounds like a Public Affairs placebo. A large chunk of the future of high speed rail and near high speed rail ever reaching the status of profit making venture hinges on the performance of this one entity. The sooner they are profitable the faster the expansion will be and the more competitors that will attempt to enter the field......I hope.
Maybe someday we might see one of the large Class I railroads reconsider the market?
IMO Brightline will be sucessful once we hear the phrase from the public and POLs . "Why can't Amtrak be more like Brightline?" " You need to make Amtrak more like Brightline "
Most of the 'profitability' is synergy with the reql-estate developments, which won't be built out until the high-speed corridor proves itself. The PUDs need to be developed, then populated, before the traffic patterns for increased use of the trains will come.
Is Brightline unionized? I know that they took a long strike in the 60's and thought they went non-union. Their operating costs (wages) might be much lower than Amtrak
Electroliner 1935Is Brightline unionized?
Editor Emeritus, This Week at Amtrak
blue streak 1 IMO Brightline will be sucessful once we hear the phrase from the public and POLs . "Why can't Amtrak be more like Brightline?" " You need to make Amtrak more like Brightline "
Just because people might like Brightline better than Amtrak, does not necessarily mean that Brightline will be able to cover their costs or be profitable. Its owned by a hedge fund. Once the real estate is developed, the rail side will be spun-off.
When I arrived in West Palm Beach six years ago in support of the program downtown was a place that existed with "no apparent reason to visit" as one coworker shared. As I prepared to leave upon retirement this was the view from my living room. Just about every nonpublic building over five stories was not there six years ago and more are on the way:
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