Amtrak launches construction on new Auto Train station in Florida

[JeffreyS]

I get the feeling Jax can be in or out but Amtrak expansion in this state will be happening.

5/19/2009    Facility
Amtrak launches construction on new Auto Train station in Florida

Yesterday, Amtrak broke ground on a new Auto Train station in Sanford, Fla., the southern most terminus for the service, which enables passengers to travel with their own vehicles from Lorton, Va., to Sanford.

To be funded through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars, the $10 million project calls for replacing the current 2,500-square-foot facility â€" which includes three separate structures â€" with a 10,00-square-foot station that will feature a passenger waiting area, ticket counter, gift shop, café and restrooms. The waiting room will include seating for 600 customers. The current waiting area, which is partially housed in a tent, seats 370.

In addition, the station will incorporate a new traffic flow to provide easier access for passengers as they drop off their vehicles prior to boarding the train.

During the past decade, Amtrak has worked to improve the service by adding new passenger equipment and car carriers, and building a new station and mechanical facility at the northern end of the route. In fiscal-year 2008, Auto Train ridership totaled 234,839 passengers, a 7.8 percent increase compared with FY2007 data. In addition, the railroad carried  112,188 cars and 1,757 motorcycles.

Amtrak plans to seek other places throughout the country where it can launch other Auto Train services.

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/prdailynews/news.asp?id=20445

[tufsu1]

I'm still trying to figure out how 600 people can fit a 10,000 sq. ft. space...plus $10 milion for 10000sf is ridiculous.

[thelakelander]

Its not mentioned in the article above, but the $10 million also includes new track infrastructure.

[thelakelander]

Plans are underway to replace the outdated and inadequate Auto Train facility in Sanford.  The new terminal will be designed to accommodate more passengers, local commuters and bus service, and potentially will be intermodal with a link to the Central Florida Commuter Rail system.  Rep. Mica has been working with Auto Train, Amtrak, FDOT and local transportation authorities to complete plans and to secure federal assistance to expedite this project.

The project calls for the station to be built on the north side of S.R. 46 where two CSX rail lines converge.  Amtrak would need to buy the property, known as the Rand Yard.  The City of Sanford is already working to extend water and sewer services to the area, and has been coordinating with Seminole County and FDOT on plans to expand the surrounding roads.

http://www.house.gov/mica/projtransautotrain.shtml

[Ocklawaha]

Wonder how I knew where it would go? Because it was in my plan for the City of Sanford under Mayor Betty Smith back in the day... Good for them. Now if WE don't get off our butts, Sanford will kick us into a dark corner.

OCKLAWAHA

[mtraininjax]

Good for them!

Anyone remember the story about how the Jacksonville City Leaders passed on the Evil Mouse, back in the day? That could be our terminal and a lot could have changed, had we had the progressive thinking back in the day. Can you imagine what Jacksonville would have become with the Mouse?

[JeffreyS]

I know we passed on Busch Gardens who wanted to build on our Zoo Site close to the Brewery but I haven't heard about the Mouse.

[tufsu1]

every City in Florida seems to think they had a shot at the mouse....fact is Disney privately researched land and then went and bought....there was very little discussion with local officials anywhere.

[fsujax]

Just read the book "Married to the Mouse"...you will get all the history you need on Disney and the reasons why it is where it is.

[mtraininjax]

Just read the book "Married to the Mouse"...you will get all the history you need on Disney and the reasons why it is where it is.

Forget the books, you need to listen to the people who were here during that time. They can tell you alot, if you listen. Not everything in a book is true, especially in this town.

[Charles Hunter]

mtrain, do you have any idea what the book says?  Or are you just shooting from the hip, again?
And for those of us who haven't read it, could you (if you've actually read it) or fsujax post a brief synopsis of the key question - Did Walt ever consider Jacksonville?

[mtraininjax]

mtrain, do you have any idea what the book says?  Or are you just shooting from the hip, again?

Charles - I don't know where you get your information, but I prefer that from the Historical Society, the people who actually live in Jacksonville and have a history of Jacksonville. I have heard from a number of the members on the subject and would encourage all to participate more frequently with the History of Jacksonville.

I appreciate your questioning.

[Charles Hunter]

mtrain, do you have any idea what the book says?  Or are you just shooting from the hip, again?

Charles - I don't know where you get your information, but I prefer that from the Historical Society, the people who actually live in Jacksonville and have a history of Jacksonville. I have heard from a number of the members on the subject and would encourage all to participate more frequently with the History of Jacksonville.

I appreciate your questioning.

Thanks, I appreciate being appreciated
Now, to my question ... Did Disney ever really consider NE Florida?
Or does the Historical Society have any info on this?

(My apologies for side-tracking the discussion.)

[Ocklawaha]

This is from ancient memory, not someones book... I lived this, enjoy.

Disney did indeed make a visit or two in our area. The reason it's not widely reported went something like this:
Disney had eyes on a location west of Tallahassee. The property in question was in the hands of St. Joe Paper, as endless tree farms. He came into town to talk to St. Joe, which also owned thousands of acres west or north of Duval. The press went wild, and everyone was pretty convinced Disney could be swayed into a Northeast Florida park. Ed Ball, CEO of St. Joe, Dupont, and Jacksonville National Bank got a telegram (instant messaging 1960 style) from Walt asking for a JACKSONVILLE meeting. I don't think anyone REALLY knows where this would have/could have gone, but it never happened! Ball sent an infamous telegram back to Disney:

"JACKSONVILLE DOESN'T DEAL WITH CARNIVAL PEOPLE," ED BALL.

Was Walt enraged? Was our city cheated by our own Billionaire? Did we have a shot at the park at that early point? Could Walt have built the park west of Baldwin on paper company land? Was Disney ONLY interested in West Florida? ...and what about Mary Lou? (just kidding).

It wasn't long after this went down that someone (gee I wonder who?) started buying every available piece of land in Green Swamp, West of Orlando. It was still a few years before ANYONE knew it was Walt Disney. God knows since the death of the great man, the spirit of the parks left the station and the happy little mouse became a RAT. So maybe old Ed did the right thing, then again, what would our downtown look like had it gone the other way?

OCKLAWAHA

[Charles Hunter]

... endless strings of T-shirt shops?