FEC News in S. Florida newspaper

The project looks good on paper--- but there are some obstacles that will be interesting to see how they are dealt with. FECI supposedly owns a 100 ft right of way--- well in Boca it's more like 50 ft in some spots. and the single track was realigned to the center of the ROW. To double track those sections will be expensive. also, a new single track bridge over the Hillsboro canal will need to be added. I'm expecting that it will get done, as it will be cheaper to go by rail to Orlando than to fly there-- and the travel time is about the same when you factor in parking your car, time spent in the TSA lines, etc. If the Miami- Orlando service works out, FECI will consider adding trains to & from Jacksonville from Miami and Orlando.

Lee: From the maps I’ve seen of the proposed route in our Orlando paper, it doesn’t go to Ocala.  It will turn west at Cocoa and new tracks will be laid from Cocoa to Orlando parallel to the Beach Line Expressway (Route 528).   Ocala is about 80 miles North of Orlando.

HTH,

Bill

Bill;  I had to go back over the article and you are correct it is Cocoa Beach area that it goes to Orlando on, my mistake.

Lee F.

Found some recent news on the FEC passenger service on Wikipedia.com, look up FEC railroad. Also found info on Wikipedia about the engines that FEC runs.

FEC had some older GP-38's thru GP-40-2's that they kept on re-building until buying about 20 more modern SD-70's.

Lee F.

Lee, don't forget the SD40-2's! Those are the ones they got from UP. Kept the UP paint scheme,just got rid of the UP logos & numbers and put on the FEC markings.