Bringing Amtrak to Downtown Jacksonville Inexpensively

[Jaxson]

because most of our city leaders dont give a damn!

I guess that it makes sense that our city government show complete apathy toward moving Amtrak downtown.  It's almost like our mayor and city leadership have a direct interest in the companies that profit from continued gridlock and exclusive focus on highways and airports...  After all, it takes a lot of concrete to build more freeways.  But, I digress.  Their lack of vision makes me wish that stephendare and lakelander were running our city instead of the clueless jerks who run things now...

[tufsu1]

It isn't just our leadership....most of the public in Jacksonville (and likely throughout FL) think of Amtrak as another federal government program that bleeds red ink....folks in the northeast (like Wilmington, DE) think otherwise.

[Jaxson]

A lot of folks in our city are ignorant of the fact that we even have Amtrak service.  I hear this a lot from people when I tell them that I travel by train.

[Timkin]

This is a much less-costly alternative to making this plan possible.  Why does our City leaders not want to be the hero of the hour, and implement this temporary plan?  Does not make sense at all.

As to Amtrak being another program that bleeds red ink, can we not do a story here to disprove that ,if it is not true?

Clueless is  probably accurate.  Why do clueless people end up in leadership roles?  Scary.

[JeffreyS]

They need to commit to moving the  Convention Center and house all of the new transportation complex in our own Union Terminal (some call the Prime Osbourn).  So much cheaper and better than what we have planned. Note this is not the JTA's fault I am sure they would love to use Union Terminal if the city would get out of there.

[Jaxson]

While other cities are not afraid to make use of existing Amtrak improvement money, Jacksonville's government seems to be content to sit on the sidelines.  Passenger rail will never operate in the black, so that excuse is tired.  We could say the same thing for highways that require intensive subsidies from our gas taxes and other revenue sources.  Passenger rail, however, can help alleviate our interstates and highways.  I recently read about how dangerous it is to drive down Interstate 95.  It makes sense for us to give travelers an option that does not require them to always hop in their car and drive south.  Our city leaders still do not get it.  I have contacted them with my thoughts and hope that others will do the same...

[JeffreyS]

I just rode the Amtrak MARC line from D.C.s Union Station to BWI airport in Baltimore. It was an easy trip because both stations were in places people wanted to go nothing like our Amshak way out U.S. 1.

[Jaxson]

I have to agree with you about that.  When I lived up north, I drove to New Carrollton station, parked my car, and took the Metro into Washington.  That was an efficient and easy way to get into town.  And Union Station was within reach of most of the Washington landmarks!

[Timkin]

When Visiting the DC area, used the Metro.. it was awesome! 

[brainstormer]

When I lived in Wisconsin, we used to drive to Milwaukee, park our car and then take Amtrak to Chicago for the day.  It was quick and easy and saved us money!  I can see myself and many others doing the same thing here.  Imagine being able to get from Downtown Jacksonville to Downtown St. Augustine in a quick and easy trip?  I think the increased mobility between the two will be a positive for both cities.  Can you see the same activity occurring with our current Amshak?  What person in St. Augustine wants to take a train and get dumped in some field in Northwest Jacksonville?  Matter of fact, I don't even know where our Amshak is and I've lived here for 3 years!  I think it is time we became more vocal.  Who has friends in the media?  Let's call out our city leaders for their lack of leadership.  I'm sure they would love to divert attention away from pensions, budgets and prayer.  

[Timkin]

I would be all over this.. As many miles as I drove to do my job for years and years , I ll gladly take the train and let someone else drive.  Amen to the lack of leadership.  I certainly make no claim to knowing how to run a City, but I bet I could do a better job

[CS Foltz]

 Timkin...........I know you could! Heck..........Mickey Mouse or even Sponge Bob could do better! Maybe the Amshack would make a better convention center, but the Prime needs to return to what it was originally designed to be! Ock and Company has a valid, cost effective and efficient way to expedite Amtrak's return and it makes cents! JTA and John Boy need to get with the program and see the light...............wether they believe in it or not!

[nanab53]

Hello All,
  As a Jacksonville Rail Historian I wish to take a step back. Nobody would like to see these plans be fulfilled more than me. The plans for Amtrak to return to our Jacksonville Terminal could be done with nearly no changes at all. We currently have two southbound and two northbound trains everyday. These trains have an approximate 10 minute station stop with no switching.  There is no need for special tracks, only a loading platform with shed. Currently, Jacksonville hosts only one train at a time.  Typically, the lengths of today’s trains are only 9 or 10 cars each. Therefore, the need for a tunnel or the relocating of Lee St viaduct for access to a train is not needed.  The area between the Convention Center and FEC Railways track #30 could handle the proposed new tracks later if more trains developed, but for now we need to use what we have!  The southbound trains could enter the FEC track closest to the Convention Center, load and unload then back out to Beaver St and head south, northbound trains could back in from Beaver St load and unload then head north. The only thing needed is a platform and shed from Lee St viaduct to the north end of the convention center with a place for tickets and passengers in a small area in the old Terminal Building. FEC could allow passenger trains to use this track for a fee, and if not, one new track could be added from Myrtle Ave off old tracks 28 and 29. Its better to start as needed than spend more on a future that may not happen. The reality is nothing is possible unless someone gets big bucks for development. This was developed  over 100 years ago, no need to reinvent the wheel!

Thank You,
Jacksonville Terminal Railroad Museum

[thelakelander]

The proposed FEC/Amtrak service calls for trains to be split in Jacksonville.  In addition, a temporary solution will still have to accommodate commuter rail as it comes online.  So, we'll need a couple of sidings right off the bat.

Typically, the lengths of today’s trains are only 9 or 10 cars each. Therefore, the need for a tunnel or the relocating of Lee St viaduct for access to a train is not needed.

I believe both of these options would be potential long term (+10 years) solutions as the need for additional capacity increases.

[JHenry459]

"The temporary fix won't meet with approval unless you find a way to build it with tons and tons of unnecessary Gate concrete."  quote form AC

One could fill the historic underground tunnel with Gate concrete.  Like past projects, that would gain instant approval AND destroy a 100 year old part of our past all with one crank of a cement mixer truck.