The Brightline Thread - Page 58

bobdreamz · #**1141** Posted **May 1, 2017, 5:42 AM**

Lakelander · #**1142** Posted **May 2, 2017, 9:56 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by electricron

Tampa's metro population is 2,971,086 (19th largest metro in USA)- Fort Myers metro population is 618,754 (85th largest metro in USA)

At some point a privately run passenger railroad can't make a profit. Maybe a state subsidized railroad may make it to Fort Myers some day - but I can't visualize All Aboard Florida extending Brightline trains to it anytime soon. There's just not enough potential riders to make that capitalist risk.....

For what it's worth, here are the metro population data to where All Aboard Florida might send Brightline train to....
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Palm Beach 5,828,191(8th largest in USA)
Orlando 2,387,138 (24th largest in USA)
Jacksonville 1,345,596 (40th largest in USA)
and I already posted the data for Tampa

Going to Jacksonville (ranked 40th) with as many trains that will be running between South Florida and Central Florida may be questionable, Fort Myers (ranked 85th) would certainly be questionable....

Expansion, at least to Tampa and Jacksonville, have been discussed a ton already:

http://realtime.blog.palmbeachpost.c...x-editor-says/

http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire...htline-new-ceo

Their financial model includes TOD, so how they'd make money is somewhat different than traditional models. Heck, I suspect the real estate development side turns a much better profit than rail fare ever will. For example, they secured rights to run into Jax on FEC's existing tracks in late 2015:

http://www.allaboardflorida.com/in-t...le-in-contract

If and when that happens, you'd be looking at stops potentially in Jax, tourism destinations like Daytona (637,674 - ranked 88th) and Cocoa (579,130 - ranked 95th), along with intercity connections to Amtrak in Jax.

http://www.news-journalonline.com/ar.../605066731/DN/

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/...tion/81202466/

A Tampa link is more complicated since an existing line isn't in place (ex. see Orlando situation) but if it does happen, there would most likely be a stop in Lakeland (666,149 - ranked 82nd) as well.

Fort Myers is a stretch. They've also never mentioned it as a potential destination. I suspect, they'd attempt to connect to a city like Atlanta (345 miles from Jax) before anything materializes with Fort Myers. In this recent article, there's a hint on exploring markets outside the state of Florida:

http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire...htline-new-ceo

N830MH · #**1143** Posted **May 6, 2017, 3:10 AM**

http://gobrightline.com/two-new-brig...ountry-tandem/

Good! 2 more trains is on the way to Florida now. They just left from Siemens Factory in Sacramento, CA today.

Lookout for those 2 BrightGreen & BrightOrange.

Get your camera ready!!!

N830MH · #**1144** Posted **May 8, 2017, 4:51 AM**

Hi all,

Here's a video of Brightline. BrightGreen & BrightOrange just left from Sacramento, CA on last Friday.

• Video Link

Enjoy!

Car(e)-Free LA · #**1145** Posted **May 8, 2017, 4:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakelander

along with intercity connections to Amtrak in Jax.

I can see Amtrak being truncated in Jacksonville with all service in Florida being provided by Brightline. Perhaps Brightline could receive a portion of the current Amtrak subsidy within Florida, or the money could go to New Orleans-Jacksonville instead. It would be a win-win.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakelander

A Tampa link is more complicated since an existing line isn't in place (ex. see Orlando situation) but if it does happen, there would most likely be a stop Lakeland (666,149 - ranked 82nd) as well.

Probably a stop in Disney, and maybe at International Drive too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakelander

Fort Myers is a stretch. They've also never mentioned it as a potential destination.

I expect that if something emerges for Ft. Meyers, it would be from Tampa, via St. Petersburg and Sarasota, not from Miami. It would also probably require a subsidy from the State of Florida or a lot of associated real estate development.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakelander

I suspect, they'd attempt to connect to a city like Atlanta (345 miles from Jax)

I see an Atlanta connection as being part of a dedicated, electrified, 220 MPH HSR route as part of a separate system, with forced transfers in Jacksonville.

N830MH · #**1146** Posted **May 9, 2017, 6:14 PM**

Hi all,

Here's a video of 2 Brightline trains. It's on the way to Florida now. It will take a time to get in Florida.

• Video Link

bobdreamz · #**1147** Posted **May 9, 2017, 8:25 PM**

^ Cool video with the double delivery of both trainsets!
I wonder how many people seeing these BrightLine trains crossing in front of them even know that Florida is about to have the nation's first private passenger rail system in decades.

bobdreamz · #**1148** Posted **May 9, 2017, 9:48 PM**

• Video Link

^ Approaches new downtown station @ the 1:10 mark.

N830MH · #**1149** Posted **May 11, 2017, 2:32 AM**

Hi all,

2 BrightGreen & BrightOrange trains should be arrived in West Palm Beach during overnight tonight. You will see it.

Get your camera ready!!

Lakelander · #**1150** Posted **May 13, 2017, 3:19 PM**

So long Treasure Coast....

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/...ainst.amp.html

Brightline can now move forward with the construction of the Orlando segment.

electricron · #**1151** Posted **May 13, 2017, 5:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakelander

So long Treasure Coast....

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/...ainst.amp.html

Brightline can now move forward with the construction of the Orlando segment.

Everything will be go if they ever sell any bonds to raise the capital to build it.

Maybe loosing this lawsuit will make that easier, maybe not?

N830MH · #**1152** Posted **May 13, 2017, 9:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by electricron

Everything will be go if they ever sell any bonds to raise the capital to build it.

Maybe loosing this lawsuit will make that easier, maybe not?

Yes, they will loses the lawsuit. Brightline will allowed to build the rail.

Lakelander · #**1153** Posted **May 14, 2017, 1:28 AM**

The lawsuit is over. I was also under the impression they got the needed funds for construction with the recent sell of FEC to Groupo Mexico for $2.1 billion.

N830MH · #**1154** Posted **May 15, 2017, 5:35 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakelander

The lawsuit is over. I was also under the impression they got the needed funds for construction with the recent sell of FEC to Groupo Mexico for $2.1 billion.

Good! I'm so happy for it! Now they can starts funding for construction. They can move forward.

bobdreamz · #**1155** Posted **May 25, 2017, 11:23 PM**

By Joseph A. Mann Jr. | May 23, 2017

Brightline representatives said that construction of the station, at 501 Evernia Street, began in 2015 and is now nearly completed. It consists of 60,000 square feet of station space, a parking garage and train platform built on 2 acres of land.

The two-level station will have lounges for standard and premium passengers, as well a conference center. Brightline has not yet revealed its ticket prices.

Near the entrance, the company is erecting a 24-story residential tower that will have 290 units.
The station will connect the neighborhood’s existing trolley, pedestrian and road networks and will have links to the Tri-Rail and Amtrak West Palm Beach station, creating a new transportation hub for the West Palm Beach area.
The privately funded train, scheduled to start service between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach in “late summer” of this year, will offer express service, traveling at an average of 80 miles per hour between Miami and Orlando.
After the first trains begin running between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, service will begin to Miami. The Orlando route and station have been delayed due to litigation.
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill worked in association with Zyscovich Architects to design the Brightline stations.

https://s11.therealdeal.com/trd/m/up...ne-station.jpg

https://s14.therealdeal.com/trd/m/up...tline-sign.jpg

https://s13.therealdeal.com/trd/m/up...5/IMG_1789.jpg

https://s11.therealdeal.com/trd/m/up...nestation2.jpg

https://s13.therealdeal.com/trd/m/up...linetracks.jpg

https://therealdeal.com/miami/2017/0...pleted-photos/

N830MH · #**1156** Posted **May 26, 2017, 5:53 AM**

Wow!! Looks great! Now let's get it done at Downtown Miami station. I was hoped Orlando station will be done in a few years or so.

eleven=11 · #**1157** Posted **May 29, 2017, 8:52 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by N830MH

Wow!! Looks great! Now let's get it done at Downtown Miami station. I was hoped Orlando station will be done in a few years or so.

maps are NEW for Miami/ft laud on wiki/google maps

eleven=11 · #**1158** Posted **May 29, 2017, 8:56 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobdreamz

^ Cool video with the double delivery of both trainsets!
I wonder how many people seeing these BrightLine trains crossing in front of them even know that Florida is about to have the nation's first private passenger rail system in decades.

thanks Rick Scott ?

N830MH · #**1159** Posted **May 29, 2017, 5:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by eleven=11

thanks Rick Scott ?

Yeah, don't listen to him. Soon, he will be out of office sometime in 2018. Vote him out.

eleven=11 · #**1160** Posted **Jun 1, 2017, 12:32 AM**