Nice presentation from FEC
https://youtu.be/OMsV_-6U6xo
Aug 19th release.
Brightline Construction: Removing the Pineda North Turnout - ATC19 Cutover July 24, 2022 - YouTube
More on Bonaventure.
Brightline Construction ATC19 Cutover: CP Bonaventure to CP Viera & Bonaventure Siding - July 2022 - YouTube
When they had to source ballast from Canada I wondered what else they are having trouble getting.
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
Bonaventure CP cutover and track relocation.
Brightline Construction: ATC19 Signal and Double Track Cutover Overview - YouTube
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
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)
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!
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?
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.
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
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)
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
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.
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.
Maybe they are planning on a stop for the Cruise Terminal.
https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2022/05/26/brightline-land-purchase-could-indicate-future-cocoa-station-down-the-tracks
Brightline could not get all the ballast by rail so imported some from Canada by ship. The FEC portion of the rail train lead with Hertzog gondolas carrying ballast brings up a question., Is CSX delaying deliveries because of PSR meltdowns so much that Hertzog has run out of available empty ballast hopper dump cars?
Brightline could not wait for rail deliveries of ballast if it wanted to maintain its construction and opening dates. It also has to take time to have the ballast setteled and set to begin service.
Brightline Construction: The International Ballast Edition - YouTube
EDIT: This may be revelant. Have noticed several CSX ballast trains with Hertzog automated dump cars and old CSX manual operate ballast cars. In fact upon reflection the CSX cars might not be ballast cars but coal cars. That observation because could not see heavier balllast loaded to where it could be seen at top of car compared to regular ballast cars.
Missed july 6 release of Barton curve change increasing allowable speeds.
Brightline Construction: Barton Curve Shift - June 18, 2022 - YouTube
July 12th release. A rail train is pushed back thru Cocoa tunnel going toward Orlando. Earlier laid rail not from this rail train allowed rail train to push thru tunnel.. You will note that the 2 GPs power up and smoke as train is pushed up the ramp. First train had about 7.5 miles of new rail. All rail was to all be pulled off rail train to allow rail train to return to factory.
A puzzle. When FEC brought the rail train in it had several Hertzog gondolas carrying ballast. That was a surprise. Is Hertzog short of standard hopper ballast dump cars? Could this possible shortage of dump cars be the reason that Brightline had Canadian ballast brought in by ship? Maybe more delays by CSX PSR?
Brightline Construction: First Rail Train Through The Cocoa Tunnel - July 2022 - YouTube
June 26 release. Happened earlier in June. Shows the change over of the Turkey Creek bridge old span to new span. Gives both a before cut over and an after cut over.
Brightline Construction: New Turkey Creek Bridge Cut Over - June 2022 - YouTube
June 17 trlease with talk about Brightline . Mainly a PR type presentation.
Brightline: A Bright Future - YouTube
June 17 release for june 5 Bonaventure work.
Brightline Construction: North Bonaventure Cut and Throw - June 5, 2022 - YouTube
June 9th release for FtPierce and Jensen Beach.
Brightline Construction: Fort Pierce Yard and Jensen Beach - May 8, 2022 - YouTube
June 4th release unloading last rail train on the FEC portion of Brightline.
Brightline Construction: Unloading a Rail Train - May 15, 2022 - YouTube
Here is video dated June 1. All events started May22. FEC shut down over bridge with an AWW of 3 days. This is the procedure of installing the new Bascule over the Loxahatchee River. Old bascule was removed on April 16th previously with temporary span installed until this new Bascule installed. All work in just 5 weeks. Bet Amtrak cannot do that time. Final bridge work connection is not shown in this video.
(1) Brightline Construction: Installing the New Bascule at the Loxahatchee River Drawbridge - YouTube
Longer video of 1st test clearance to verify not any clearance problems such as happened to the Miami station.
First Brightline Train at the Orlando Station - May 17, 2022 - YouTube
Thanks for answers. Will the 400 foot Y switch with the five switch machines allow passage at 125 mph?
More construction activities.
HSR Constructors Brightline Phase 2 Construction Sizzle Reel - YouTube
For those who wonder about future freight service by FEC. No freight is planned thru the Orlando airport. If you go to10.40 and play on the following link you will see the connection OUC/CSX Stanton Rail line connection. That connection has been used to transport rail trains for mainly east directions to lay down rail. If and that is a big "IF" FEC gets permission to ever start freight to Orlando the bypass of the airport would be used to reach yard. That may require getting trackage rights on OUC/CSX. Also permission from turnpike authority.
Brightline Orlando Line Construction: Part 1 - Orlando International Airport to Innovation Way - YouTube
Brightline Orlando Line Construction: Part 2 - Dallas Blvd to West of Interstate 95 - YouTube
Brightline Orlando Line Construction: Part 3 - Interstate 95 to Cocoa - YouTube
Brightline runs Bright blue 2 into Orlando station to verify all clearanc specs are met. First time any Brightline train has entered the station.
SEE: Brightline high-speed train arrives at new OIA station for the first time (msn.com)
May 6th airport to CSX/OUC bridge.
Noticed that some signals are already turned to look along tracks. do not know if that means they are actually active. The turnout from single to 2 main tracks is a #32 which along with one on Amtrak's NEC are highest number in USA. Over 4000 feet long. Starts at time 7:45. Has 5 switch machines,
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