Now, a company in Florida behind the first privately funded U.S. high speed railway
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“Brightline” is the relatively new brand name of the Miami to Orlando passenger train being developed by Florida East Coast’s parent company. When first announced several years ago they were calling it “All Aboard Florida” which apparently is still being used as the name for the project, adding to the confusion. There’s been many postings about it on this Forum over the last few years.
Although they will use the existing FEC right-of-way between Cocoa and Miami, some of the additional infrastructure is now under construction.
Bill
Although FEC has track between Miami and Daytona or Cocoa beach, the track needs to be updated to 2 tracks all the way and not just an occasional passing zone. Also needing updating are the railroad crossings because of having a high speed train on the line, currently the crossings are set up for freight trains which normally reach up 60 mph and not 125 like the high speed train does.
Lee Fritz
Excellent story, thanks for sharing with us. I look forward to riding!
Might it have wider gauge track for added stability?
I think it was double-track Jacksonville to Miami in the 1950s. 125 mph sounds reasonable. 250 sounds dangerous.
I think we should double-track the SP Coast Line. Current Starlight speed is about 39 mph. Would be lots cheaper than the Bullet Train, and a lot more scenic.
Now, with the time it takes to get to the plane, both in terms of getting to the airport, and the TSA lines, do we REALLY need anything supper fast? 100-125 really fast "enough". I have taken megabus (they cannot spell) from Houston to San Antonio and Austin. Downtown to Downtown, mega outruns a plane. At 75 mph max.
TM Terry posted:Might it have wider gauge track for added stability?
They're using existing rail corridors so no wider gauge.
Interesting. So the bright line will run from Orlando to Miami? Or Miami to Cocoa beach? I think it's the perfect idea, airplanes are not efficient time wise for shorter runs. Fla is great with its relatively level ground and letting a train go fast on straightaways. 125 mph is just as fast as the average Acela Express and would be faster then just about any another train in the USA. My local Amtrack Downeaster to Boston from Maine top speed is 79 mph, and the average speed is much slower and that still beats driving and is equal in drive times from Maine or NH to Boston. I'd take it. Is their a proposed start date?
Seacoast posted:Interesting. So the bright line will run from Orlando to Miami? Or Miami to Cocoa beach? I think it's the perfect idea, airplanes are not efficient time wise for shorter runs. Fla is great with its relatively level ground and letting a train go fast on straightaways. 125 mph is just as fast as the average Acela Express and would be faster then just about any another train in the USA. My local Amtrack Downeaster to Boston from Maine top speed is 79 mph, and the average speed is much slower and that still beats driving and is equal in drive times from Maine or NH to Boston. I'd take it. Is their a proposed start date?
George:
Eventually it will run from Miami to the Orlando airport with stops only in Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Initially it will only run from Miami to WPB. The route from Miami to Cocoa will use the existing FEC right-of-way but it will use a new yet-to-be-built right-of-way from Cocoa to OIA.
According to the recent articles the service to WPB will start in 2017 and the Orlando service will start in 2018. That latter date seems optimistic given the amount of new construction required on that Cocoa to Orlando airport leg.
When first announced in 2012, the target start date was 2014.
Bill
I hope that this is successful. 125 mph is probably fast enough for trips that will take one to three hours. I like the fact that all the cars and equipment is being made in the USA.
NH Joe
TM Terry posted:Might it have wider gauge track for added stability?
Maybe 5'-0"?!?!?! That would make our 3-rail stuff scale I believe.
I don't think any wider corridor would be needed at that width, you're only talking moving 1 rail out a few inches.
They need to make the line elevated above the roadways, kinda like a light rail system on steroids.
Bob Delbridge posted:TM Terry posted:Might it have wider gauge track for added stability?
Maybe 5'-0"?!?!?! That would make our 3-rail stuff scale I believe.
I don't think any wider corridor would be needed at that width, you're only talking moving 1 rail out a few inches.
They need to make the line elevated above the roadways, kinda like a light rail system on steroids.
In Florida elevated may be needed in some areas as wetlands/ swamps are the norm..
