Since 2004, Iowa Hawkeye football fans have been able to reach Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on game days using a commuter train called the "Hawkeye Express".
(http://www.iowanorthern.com/images/billboard_hawkeye.jpg)
The train uses retired Pullman Standard bi-level commuter rail cars that used to run in Chicago. The local shortlines pick up the fans in these cars and transport them over for the home games.
(http://trn.trains.com/~/media/images/railroad-news/news-wire/2015/09/hawkeye.jpg?h=400&la=en&mw=600&w=600)
This is a continuation of what used to be a large Iowa tradition in the 1950's and 60's where fans would load up on daily trains to Iowa City to see the game.
Apply this thinking now to a "Gator Express" that would run from Jacksonville to a location only 2 miles from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium using existing tracks through Starke, Alachua and then south into central Gainesville at the Northside Shopping Center. Unfortunately the tracks that supported a train station right on campus were torn up some time ago, but a rail route into the city is still possible.
Would Gator Fans appreciate a fast ride into game time? These photos could be in familiar colors!
As you can see by the lines, this is a very popular way to see the game.
(http://www.iowanorthern.com/gallery/images/he2008_1.jpg)
(http://www.iowanorthern.com/gallery/images/phe_3.jpg)
(http://www.iowanorthern.com/gallery/images/he3.jpg)
I like it in the abstract. This info below is a bit dated but UF did an interesting page on the economic impact of the university that contained very interesting info, county-by-county:
http://www.urel.ufl.edu/economicImpact/
Duval County doesn't supply the most students (the three counties in Southeast Florida, the population center of the state, do) but Jax is second in financial support only to Alachua County.
I'd be curious if those trains could have an impact running in the opposite direction, bringing folks from the Gainesville area to downtown Jax? Could they run on something of a regular weekend schedule? Could special provisions be made for Jaguar game days ???
The tracks in Iowa are right next to the stadium. The ride is only 8 minutes long, it's basically a shuttle bus from remote parking. Remote parking where people drive from all over the state for the train to pick them up there. How do you tailgate? Not like you actually thought this would be feasible in Gainesville though....
Quote from: acme54321 on September 09, 2015, 07:42:26 AM
The tracks in Iowa are right next to the stadium. The ride is only 8 minutes long, it's basically a shuttle bus from remote parking. Remote parking where people drive from all over the state for the train to pick them up there. How do you tailgate? Not like you actually thought this would be feasible in Gainesville though....
Right, this thing is an 8-min ride from a big parking lot to the stadium. People probably tailgate in that lot, but the point is still that it's just a parking lot shuttle.
I think the concept described in the OP would be awesome, but obviously not feasible.