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.
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.
Nice footage of thermite welding
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.
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
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeQoJs4hoyM
What more do expect beyond 4 quadrant gates? Stupid is as Stupid does.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Have a look at this and see 4:27. I thought there would be something more secure with Brightline regarding crossings.
rdamon I found it odd that the signal masts we after the switch points. I thought the switch would be past the signals.
I found it odd that the signal masts we after the switch points. I thought the switch would be past the signals.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Makes sense. It does not look like they are adding any signals on the north end that is on the VRF camera.
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
rdamonI found it odd that the signal masts we after the switch points. I thought the switch would be past the signals.
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
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.
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"
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
Very neat.
York1 John
110 MPH testing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gfv2U--YK84
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)
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
That was his experience and opinion of Sunrail and Brightline, not mine.
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.
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.
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
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