Brightline has another record ridership in March VS FEB. Even accounting for 2 more days in March the month was larger. Now there were 5 weekends in March VS FEB so that may have been a factor.
Florida High Speed Rail Route Breaks Records (msn.com)
blue streak 1 The first step in construction begins next week out west. Brightline West Vegas-to-LA rail system groundbreaking set for Monday | Local Las Vegas | Local (reviewjournal.com)
The first step in construction begins next week out west.
Brightline West Vegas-to-LA rail system groundbreaking set for Monday | Local Las Vegas | Local (reviewjournal.com)
The comparison begins.
Wouldn't it be something if Briteline becomes operational for the Olympics?
There is almost 3/4 of a mile between Michigan Road and the Split. The north parcel is owned by Brightline, the south by the city.
Currently they run MIA to MCO trains, with plans to TPA.
Cocoa - JAX or MIA JAX trains are an option with JAX to MCO requiring a train change or a change of direction.
Since Cocoa is a wye point please explasin how there can be a single station that would serve MIA - JAX, MIA - MCO, and MCO - JAX
D.Carleton rdamon Given that they bought the land awhile back, they must have had plans for this. Makes sense if they expand to Jacksonville. The property in Cocoa is after the split off the mainline so the location is not conducive for a stop for Jax service. Another oddity, they had agreed early on NOT to build a station in Cocoa per agreement with the Central Florida Expressway Authority so as not to negatively affect car counts ($$$$) on the parallel Beachline Expressway. So will this station be laid out in such a way as to attract non-drivers?
rdamon Given that they bought the land awhile back, they must have had plans for this. Makes sense if they expand to Jacksonville.
Given that they bought the land awhile back, they must have had plans for this.
Makes sense if they expand to Jacksonville.
The property in Cocoa is after the split off the mainline so the location is not conducive for a stop for Jax service. Another oddity, they had agreed early on NOT to build a station in Cocoa per agreement with the Central Florida Expressway Authority so as not to negatively affect car counts ($$$$) on the parallel Beachline Expressway. So will this station be laid out in such a way as to attract non-drivers?
I thought the photo of the station area showed the junction.
I also remember the Expressway's stipulation against a Cocoa station, but later when I looked for it I could no longer find mention of it. I wonder if it might have been dropped because of possible pushback from Cocoa not wanting to be left out.
Plenty of room on the city owned land to the south to add a station and a crossover back to the FEC track.
It will be interesting to see how this works out and who gets upset.
Editor Emeritus, This Week at Amtrak
rdamonNew Stations announced in Stuart and Cocoa Florida The Cocoa station would be good for cruise connections at the port, maybe eliminate some bus traffic from MCO.
The Cocoa station would be good for cruise connections at the port, maybe eliminate some bus traffic from MCO.
New Stations announced in Stuart and Cocoa Florida
It would be great to see a station at the Melbourne Airport to give some flight options into Florida.
Overmod The whole 170-mile route to Orlando was complete by June 21, and service is expected to commence some time this summer.
The whole 170-mile route to Orlando was complete by June 21, and service is expected to commence some time this summer.
It says Sept 1, service starts on the below link.
https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/brightlines-5b-orlando-florida-extension-complete/653775/
Note: The new estimated cost of California HSR between LA and SFO is now at..........wait for it..................$128 Billion. Not too shabby, I think if they put their minds to it, California can easily drive that price tag over $200 Billion.
PJS1 blue streak 1 I hesitate to buy a ticket. Too much depends on final FRA appproval on the still to be completed FEC portions of 110 MPH running. I am waiting until September or October to give it a go. I plan to fly to Miami, and ride roundtrip to Orlando and back in a day. Just before the pandemic I rode the train from Miami to West Palm Beach and back. I booked a premium seat; it was worth the extra money.
blue streak 1 I hesitate to buy a ticket. Too much depends on final FRA appproval on the still to be completed FEC portions of 110 MPH running.
I am waiting until September or October to give it a go. I plan to fly to Miami, and ride roundtrip to Orlando and back in a day. Just before the pandemic I rode the train from Miami to West Palm Beach and back. I booked a premium seat; it was worth the extra money.
Sounds fun!
Rio Grande Valley, CFI,CFII
I hesitate to buy a ticket. Too much depends on final FRA appproval on the still to be completed FEC portions of 110 MPH running. It could come quickly once the final bridge connections are made or very drawn out. No more test have happened on Cocoa - Orlando so that may be finalized.
If have a ticket for a planned opening day and Brightlie starts early will they still allow me to transfer ticket to on the earlier train? On the other hand if start up is delayed and other persons guessed correct day then out of luck as well.
MidlandMike rdamon Quick search online showed advance fares on Delta and American at $114 for ORD->MIA one-way ORD = Chicago O'Hare. Did you mean MCO = Orlando ?
rdamon Quick search online showed advance fares on Delta and American at $114 for ORD->MIA one-way
ORD = Chicago O'Hare. Did you mean MCO = Orlando ?
Thanks, that what I get for trying to multitask at my age.
rdamonQuick search online showed advance fares on Delta and American at $114 for ORD->MIA one-way
https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/newswire/2023/04/20/brightline-tickets-orlando-miami-florida-trains-passenger-rail-schedule-cost/70123580007/
"Tickets will go on sale in May for Brightline's new up-to-125 mph rail service linking Orlando with South Florida, with trains carrying up to 240 passengers each.
One-way fare ticket prices will start at $79 and $149 for premium, which includes a lounge, complimentary meals and priority boarding. One-way bundles for families of four will be available for less than $199, Brightline President Patrick Goddard said."
Quick search online showed advance fares on Delta and American at $114 for ORD->MIA one-way
Orlando Station Unveiling
Orlando Basecamp
CSSHEGEWISCHNot too surprising about those restrictions. Drawbridges of all types just about everywhere have speed restrictions because of the gap in the rails on each end of the span.
https://www.railwayage.com/mw/movable-bridge-best-practices/
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Not too surprising about those restrictions. Drawbridges of all types just about everywhere have speed restrictions because of the gap in the rails on each end of the span.
One of the videos noted that in Stuart there will be reduced speeds for the drawbridge and sharper curves.
PJS1To what extent are the speed restrictions based on risk assessments vs. political considerations?
This is different from the actual speed that Brightline trains will operate day to day. The concerns you mention may qualify as reasons to limit speed under Federal law, for example if there is a pattern of grade-crossing accidents or trespasser suicide in certain areas. I would not be surprised to see speeds voluntarily reduced in certain areas, particularly toward the south end of the FEC corridor, for political-favor reasons; there is relatively little actual need for blistering speed until the service 'establishes itself' between major endpoints.
I do not know if the Jacksonville extension, if achieved, will be 110mph standard, nor do I know if the proposed extension west of Orlando to the west-coast points of interest would be 125, 110, or slower.
OvermodThe whole rationale for building the Orlando extension with no grade crossings was to get the 125mph rating. 110 on the line south of Cocoa is the maximum permissible with grade crossings -- and that's quad-gated with long actuation, medians, etc.
110 on the line south of Cocoa is the maximum permissible with grade crossings -- and that's quad-gated with long actuation, medians, etc.
To what extent are the speed restrictions based on risk assessments vs. political considerations?
The whole rationale for building the Orlando extension with no grade crossings was to get the 125mph rating.
110 on the line south of Cocoa is the maximum permissible with grade crossings -- and that's quad-gated with long actuation, medians, etc. I do not know where the permanent slower sections and restrictions are, but it shouldn't be difficult to find them.
I have always heard 125 & 110 mph. A number of earlier posts are about 110mph testing on the existing Coast line.
blue streak 1 Roaming railfan's video of first 125 MPH trips and snipit of one 130 MPH run. First 125mph Brightline Test Train on the Orlando Line - YouTube
Roaming railfan's video of first 125 MPH trips and snipit of one 130 MPH run.
First 125mph Brightline Test Train on the Orlando Line - YouTube
Did Brightline just change their speed limits? Thought I heard a Brightline PR person state the speed limit on the Orlando line would now be 125 mph and the speed limit on the coast line down to Miami would be 110 mph. I always thought it was 110 mph for the Orlando line and 80 mph for the coast line.
Workin' at the Train Wash ...
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