Oct 17, 2021 view of Melborne's Crane Creek bridge. Quite a change from last seen. Interesting how the yellow steel construction(?) members are being stored on the long out of service 2nd track bridge structures.
Brightline Crane Creek Bridge Construction - October 17, 2021 - YouTube
The Crane creek bridge is one of the most interesting projects on this line. The logistics to keep everything open and repair truck damage has been great to watch. I was suprised that they didn't use that second bridge for more.
A lot of steel will be getting recycled from this project. Brightline should use those bridge sections in their station constuction.
rdamonA lot of steel will be getting recycled from this project. Brightline should use those bridge sections in their station constuction.
Crane Creek is an inlet of of the Indian River Lagoon which is salt water. It is also not that far from the Atlantic Ocean. Old exposed steel in that environment corrodes faster. It might not be suitable for structural reuse.
Another shorter video containing the over view of the Palm Beach repair facility and some schedule testing. Prior to start of revenue service.
Brightline Simulated Service and Running Repair Facility - October 16, 2021 - YouTube
MidlandMike rdamon A lot of steel will be getting recycled from this project. Brightline should use those bridge sections in their station constuction. Crane Creek is an inlet of of the Indian River Lagoon which is salt water. It is also not that far from the Atlantic Ocean. Old exposed steel in that environment corrodes faster. It might not be suitable for structural reuse.
rdamon A lot of steel will be getting recycled from this project. Brightline should use those bridge sections in their station constuction.
Agreed, I was think more for the 'art' value
From Port Solerno - Jupiter - West Palm Beach Oct 16, 2021. Not much aerial views except for Jupiter draw bridge.
South Florida Brightline Construction - October 2021 - YouTube
Narcoossee road to past OUC rail connection. Track is being laid both ways from the OUC rail connection. Notice all signal locations have solar panels and standby generators where comercial power not available.
Brightline Orlando Line Construction Part 1: Narcoossee Road, SR 417, Innovation Way - Oct/Nov 2021 - YouTube
Looks like he is 'in' with the Brightline folks now.
Brightline from Dallas Blvd to state 520 .. His sction 2 of the Airport to FEC overview.,
Brightline Orlando Line Construction Part 2: Dallas Blvd to State Road 520 - Oct/Nov 2021 - YouTube
Brightline Oct - Nov 2021 section 3 . State route 520 - Cocoa / FEC connection,
Brightline Orlando Line Construction Part 3: State Road 520 to Cocoa - Oct/Nov 2021 - YouTube
The 5 bridges in Brevard County are shown in the following link.
Brightline Construction: The 8th Bridge Edition - Brevard County Bridges Nov/Dec 2021 - YouTube
Well good news does not always follow any well run project.
PDN - You will be interested in this PE report.
Appears that Brightline's Miami central station has problems . This came about because South Florida Regional Transportation Authority - SFRTA (TRI-RAIL) had an independent due dilengience survey of their proposed use of the Miami Central station. A Miami Herald article stated some of these problems were known back in March but SFRTA did not find out until a couple weeks ago.
Report says many items . Essentially bridges do not meet AREMA 200% loads for trains. Think locso especially. Also car step clearances are not sufficient. Steps of cars would drag against platform. Seems like a repeat of what happened in France?
My concern. Are these deficiencies also part of the Brightline section of the station?
SFRTA MiamiCentral Station Report_20211202_Rev01 (1).pdf (miamiherald.com)
Miami Herald article.
Tri-Rail trains won’t fit in new Miami Brightline platform | Miami Herald
Shades of the:
After reading the RC report, which I found to be very well done, (but while I am a Graduate Engineer, I an NOT a Registered Professional Engineer nor is my field Civil Engineering as the Reports author is.) I look forward to the Brightline response. It is too easy for contractors and some engineering firms to "cut" corners and do things to "reduce" cost.
Spackle and paint cover many things you or I would not do if we were remodeling our homes.
Electroliner 1935Shades of the: Florida International University pedestrian bridge collapse. After reading the RC report, which I found to be very well done, (but while I am a Graduate Engineer, I an NOT a Registered Professional Engineer nor is my field Civil Engineering as the Reports author is.) I look forward to the Brightline response. It is too easy for contractors and some engineering firms to "cut" corners and do things to "reduce" cost. Spackle and paint cover many things you or I would not do if we were remodeling our homes.
Remember Champlain Tower South fell in Florida.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Use a standard ... or just see if it works?
"In the report, Railroad Consultants wrote Brightline used a multiplier for train loads that was “roughly 90% less than what is required by AREMA,” the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association. Brightline said it used a different standard used by high-speed rail, according to the report, which recommended testing to see if the trains can safely go up and down the ramp."
Here is the Dec 5th track work north of the Palm Beach maintenance facility According to roaming railfan this work is almost complete north to the first major bridge.
You will note that there are two tracks that cross each other leading off to the west that connect to the TriRail tracks in both a northward and southward direction. These tracks were constructed several years ago. The Trirail connections are between the West Palm Beach TriRail/Amtrak station to the south and the Magnolia Trirail station to the north.. The Magnolia station is the last station for Trirail to the north.. Those two connecting tracks may be used if TriRail ever goes north of this location on the FEC.
Brightline Construction: Northwood Signal and Track Cutover - December 5, 2021 - YouTube
EDIT: Although it will not happen for 5 - 15 years these connections will give Amtrak access to its line on to MIA if Amtrak ever uses FEC to the West Palm Beach connecting track. As wel If the Amtrak line from WPB south ever got blocked for some reason Amtrak could detour on FEC to the connection at IRIS to the Amtrak station.
Here is the goole view of the link .. looks like the overhead was shot before the turnout was installed on the Tri-Rail side.
Dec 19th update of construction progress at Orlando airport.
Brightline Orlando International Airport Passenger Rail Construction Update - December 2021 - YouTube
Bright line going into tech for grade crossing incursions. How is all this going to work without enforcement and penalties?
Rail News - Brightline steps up grade-crossing safety efforts. For Railroad Career Professionals (progressiverailroading.com)
"Brightline partnered with the nonprofit Community Greening on a project to plant more than 3,000 native trees and shrubs along the South Florida railway. Combined with fencing, the native plants will cover more than 10 miles along the Brightline/Florida East Coast Railway corridor serving as a deterrent and channelization mechanism for trespassers."
Translation - Thorn Bushes :D
Do not know if they are in Florida. I have a nuisance thorn bush that grows fast to about 10feet tall, Cannot spell it but it is called Ilegiagnes. Many 1-1/2 inch thorns on all shoots that grow up. Trying to cut it back have to wear hard hat, safety goggles, welder's gloves, and very heavy Zero degree coat with hood.
You mean silverthorn? (Elaeagnus, not something easy to spell!)
Personal armor is desirable working with that stuff. But good fences of it definitely make good neighbors...
Here is a link to railway track and structures which is a more detailed of the crossing protection.
Brightline investing millions of dollars in railroad safety and mental health awareness - Railway Track and Structures (rtands.com)
Edit found the bush it definitely is the one.
Elaeagnus pungens (Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus, Thorny Olive) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (ncsu.edu)
EDIT: Best way for Brightline to control is a sidewinder bush hog that can top hedge and vacuum pickup. Body armour defiinitely needed. Roundup does not work too well either.
Thanks for the common name!
Here in the pacific northwest we use "botanical razorwire', otherwise known as blackberry vines.
Construction progress of the Frontenac improvement project. This is the project that will connect a FEC double track about 3-1/2 miles north of the Orlando connection to Cocoa junction. This by constructing a 2nd main track to the Cocoa Junction / Orlando connection.
Brightline Construction: Frontenac Improvement Project & Cocoa Junction - December 2021 - YouTube
Mid December 2021.
Hear is the work in Brevard County. It is from Cocoa junction south to Pineada. Essentially from Cocoa of the post before this on south.
Brightline Construction: Central Brevard County Progress - December 2021 - YouTube
souh Brevard county
Brightline Construction: Southern Brevard County Progress - December 2021 - YouTube
Cocoa junction progressing rapidly as of Jan 5th
Brightline Construction: Cocoa Junction Update - January 5, 2022 - YouTube
Rail installation Orlando - Cocoa. Work is presently just either side of the Orlando Utilitties Commission line to the power plant. Work going both east and west of the OUC rail line. The OUC line is supplying rail and Ballast trains brought there by CSX.
Brightline Construction: Work Train on the Orlando Line - January 10, 2022 - YouTube
Nice write-up about Brightline. https://www.yahoo.com/news/brightline-trains-begin-rolling-cocoa-171341194.html
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