(http://www.floridareview.co.uk/images/silver-star.jpg)
Silver Star deep in Florida
Now that stable funding has finally come to Amtrak, Florida needs many improvements in Amtrak service. In fact even according to Amtrak in the (pre funding era) Florida was perhaps the most needy state in the system. Today, it has only gotten more so, and we have dragged half the South along with us into a pit of inaction. Here is my short list of AMTRAK - FLORIDA and JACKSONVILLE improvements.
JACKSONVILLE TERMINAL, at least 12 tracks, 10 of which should be double ended, meaning they could be switched from either the West or the East side of the station. Get the convention center someplace else, and do it yesterday! FOCUS on building the support Amtrak and JTA will need to create the rail hub of Florida once again.
AMTRAK, Since 1971, rather then rescue the trains of Florida, Amtrak has slowly held court over the dismembement of what ever was left of rail service in the state. The following trains were cut under Amtrak:
The Champion.....NYC-JAX-TPA
The Miamian.......NYC-JAX-MIA
The Florida Special....NYC-JAX-MIA (winter season only-all deluxe)
The Southwind....CHI-JAX-MIA/TPA
The Floridian.......CHI-JAX-MIA/TPA
The Palmetto......NYC-JAX-ORL
The Sunset Limited...ORL-JAX-LAX
The Silver-Palm...TPA - WPB - MIA
(http://nctrainphotos.washcreek.com/photos/d/705-2/IMG_6303.jpg)
The Piedmont is running again, just not to Jacksonville. We can fix that.
Amtrak continues to operate the following daily trains to Florida:
The Silver Meteor...NYC-JAX-ORL-MIA
The Silver Star.......NYC-JAX-ORL-MIA/TPA
As terminal concourses are completed we need the following immediate expansion of Amtrak serivces to Florida.
The Palmetto.........NYC-JAX-(overnight)-DAYTONA-MIA
The Silver Star.......NYC-JAX-(split) - Waldo-Ocala-Tampa
.................................................- Orlando-W.Palm-Miami
The Silver Comet.....NYC-JAX-(overnight)-TPA-FT MYERS
The Champion.........NYC-JAX-(split) - Daytona-W.Palm-MIA
..................................................- Orlando-TPA-Sarasota
The Gulf Wind.........NORL-TAL-JAX (daytime train early am-pm)
The Piedmont.........NYC-CHARLOTTE-COLUMBIA-JAX-TPA
The Tidewater........NORFOLK-CHARLESTON-JAX
Both trains with through cars for lower Florida via Jacksonville Terminal switching
The Royal Palm........Chicago (split)
.............................Detroit (split)
.............................Cleveland (split
.............................Cincinnati-Atlanta-Jax-Daytona-Miami
through cars to other trains for Tampa and central Florida switch out/in at JAX
The City of Miami.....St. Louis (split)
............................Chicago-Memphis-Birmingham-JAX-Miami
through cars to other trains for Tampa and central Florida switch out/in at JAX
AUTO TRAIN, needs a name, and needs to start limited passenger stops for non-auto passengers, in JAX-SAV-CHRLESTON-FAYETTEVILLE-RICHMOND
CORRIDOR TRAINS: MINI-JAX-TRAX CORRIDORS...
JAX-Tallahassee. RDC twice daily
JAX-Pensacola. daily
JAX-Valdosta. RDC daily
JAX-Yulee-Kings Bay. RDC Daily
JTA-Starke-Gainesville. RDC twice daily
JTA-St. Augustine-Ormond-Daytona-New Smyrna. RDC twice daily
(http://www.american-rails-forums.com/AR%20Images/Fallen%20Flags/FEC_PC2.jpg)
Florida East Coast back in the day...
TOTALS:
JAX-NEW YORK CITY - currently (2 daily) - new (7 daily)
JAX-CHARLOTTE - currently (1 via long connection) - new (1 direct + 1 long connection)
JAX-NORFOLK - currently (0) - new (1 daily)
JAX-CHICAGO - currently (0) - new (2 daily)
JAX-CINCINNATI - currently (0) - new (1 daily)
JAX-CLEVELAND - currently (0) - new (1 daily)
JAX-DETROIT - currently (0) - new (1 daily)
JAX-COLUMBUS - currently (0) - new (1 daily)
JAX-ST LOUIS -currently (0) - new (1 daily)
JAX-ATLANTA - currently (0) - new (1 daily)
JAX-BIRMINGHAM - currently (0) - new (1 daily)
JAX-MEMPHIS - currently (0) - new (1 daily)
JAX-NEW ORLEANS - currently (0) - new (1 daily)
JAX-PENSACOLA - currently (0) - new (2 daily)
JAX-TALLAHASSEE - currently (0) - new (4 daily)
JAX-DAYTONA-MIAMI - currently (0) - new (4 daily)
JAX-ORLANDO-MIAMI - currenty (2) - new (3 daily)
JAX-WALDO-TAMPA - currently (0) - new (3 daily)
* The CHAMPION would resume it's historic route following the CSX route of the Silver Meteor and Star except for a short detour to allow for stops in both directions at WAYCROSS, GA.
DREAM LARGE, you just might get your wish!
OCKLAWAHA
NOT A DREAM! A PLAN!
We need to stop dreaming, get a plan together and get in line. We're not the only municipality that would benefit from Amtrak's new found funding. There are several other places already reaching for a piece of the pie.
This isn't a pipe dream, rather an outline of a REAL plan. Something still light enough to kick into high gear. You know I'm pushing. Anyone else?
OCKLAWAHA
Sorry but this is in fact a pipe dream. Make no sense to schedule and have a bunch of trains driving empty to various locations. Show me the demand for this.
also don't mean this is a harsh way, but applies to a lot of people. Dream large, but on your own dime.
(http://www.trainnet.org/Libraries/Lib003/AMTRAK91.JPG)
Taking care of a fleet of trains, a long JACKSONVILLE tradition of high paying jobs.
You demonstrate your depth of understanding with the statement about empty trains... WHAT empty trains?
Getting a ticket on Amtrak is often harder then pulling off matching seats for a super-bowl game.
If your sources are the good old Conservative think-tanks, heritage foundation, Rush, Bush, MC Cain and company, I think you'll find their combined grasp of the industry is completely clueless and dated (circa 1955).
Frankly a passenger on Amtrak, enjoys your tax dollar a whole lot less then ANY passenger passing through JIA, the Skyway or JTB... In fact, just how much did we profit from JTB last year? the year before that?
Amtrak suffers from a lack of product in all but the Northeast Corridor, California, Illinois, Oregon and Washington corridors. Elsewhere the cost per train fall dramatically when you add multiple arrivals and departures, services and connections.
The system I propose is a basic service, which restores several routes with a single daily train. It restores former corridors with multiple arrivals and departures. It also makes full use of a trains unique ability to be split of joined en-route. For example in the old Union Terminal, Jacksonville trains made a common practice of entering or exiting the state as a single train, but in JAX - they were cut into two sections, one operating on one of two East Coast Routes - to Miami, and the other section of the SAME TRAIN operating on one of 4 West Coast Routes - to Tampa area. (try that with a 757).
This is simple math, Florida needs rail and is already selling out our trains often months in advance, we have not only missing trains but entire missing markets that need to be put back on the map. Amtrak can carry more passengers - one mile - on a gallon of fuel (PMPG) then any other mode of travel. If we don't make a move to get in line for the funds, now that they are finally available, California, or Texas or some other state is going to get a huge head start on a regional rail system. Jacksonville, as the "Gateway City" to Florida by rail, stands to gain the excellent high paying jobs, support jobs, crew jobs, crew bases, maintenance facilities, mail facilities, kitchens and commissary's and 100 other things that come with being a major transportation hub again. This is a "BIG IDEA" or "PEYTON SUCCESS" that we have in the bag, all we have to do is act.
(http://www.overlandtrail.com/ride/wine_tasting684x522.jpg)
Of course perhaps you enjoy your tavern as much as I do, maybe you like airplane food? enjoy those wide seats? could be you love Greyhound? Those outstanding coffee shops? Airplane peanuts?
OCKLAWAHA
Rubbish, I'm sure the trains in the northeast sector are packed. But show me the demand for the routes you described. There have to be some studies showing the unspent demand for rail from jacksonville to columbus.
THAT does not look like a fun party... :D
(http://www.overlandtrail.com/ride/wine_tasting684x522.jpg)
Quote from: civil42806 on August 18, 2008, 07:30:12 AM
There have to be some studies showing the unspent demand for rail from jacksonville to columbus.
Who would ride the train from Jacksonville to Columbus?
Maybe it's just young, open-minded, individuals, but many of my friends use the train to get to and from school. I would have liked to have had train service available to me this summer, as I would have used it probably 4 times to travel. Trains make perfect sense. A solid schedule of rail service would build ridership considerably. I think that Amtrak suffers from a similar stigma to riding the bus. It used to be gross and people just can't get over that.
If they get the Miami to Jax line done maybe it could include capacity improvements that will help our commuter rail situation.
QuoteRubbish, I'm sure the trains in the northeast sector are packed. But show me the demand for the routes you described. There have to be some studies showing the unspent demand for rail from jacksonville to columbus.
Tell you what, go north of downtown about 5:00 pm. Stand in the tracks and deny that there is a full train about to run over you. THAT would be a Jacksonville-Columbus train, but one that misses the Charlotte, market. It's sad when we put numbers up here to suport a idea and you respond with something well though out like, "rubbish..." This would appear to be just another smoke screen put up by someone without a single fact to share.
America's trains are winning back the customers in carload lots. The Air Shuttle just announced two more cities cut because their route system was not able to complete with a well ran Amtrak. Could we interest you in some land on the McCoy's Creek bluff, over looking that pipe dream I added about rail? No trains? no passenger? no park? no greenway? no sounds? Paradise! On a Sunday afternoon you can sit and watch your car rust.OCKLAWAHA
Just as info...
Amtrak Service & Ridership
Amtrak operates four long-distance trains through Florida:
• The Auto Train (daily Lorton, Va.-Sanford, Fla.)
• The Silver Meteor (New York-Orlando-Miami)
• The Silver Star (daily New York-Orlando-Tampa-Miami)
• The Sunset Limited (tri-weekly Los Angeles-Orlando via New Orleans, Pensacola and Jacksonville)*
*Sunset Limited service suspended east of New Orleans.
During FY07 Amtrak served the following Florida locations*:
| | | City Boardings + Alightings | | Deerfield Beach | 22,218 | | Deland | 22,077 | | Delray Beach | 8,045 | | Fort Lauderdale | 38,654 | | Hollywood | 29,174 | | Jacksonville | 57,777 | | Kissimmee | 34,828 | | Lakeland | 20,276 | | Miami | 67,629 | | Okeechobee | 3,067 | | Orlando | 129,469 | | Palatka | 10,791 | | Sanford (Auto-Train Station) | 217,822 | | Sebring | 15,227 | | Tampa | 74,984 | | West Palm Beach | 43,643 | | Winter Haven | 17,923 | | Winter Park | 26,491 | | Total Florida Station Usage: | 840,095 |
*Rail service to Chipley, Crestview, Lake City, Madison, Pensacola, Tallahassee suspended 8/27/05. |
Yes, this years numbers are much higher.
QuoteAll-time-high 2.75 million passengers ride Amtrak in July
Last month, Amtrak carried 2.75 million passengers â€" the national intercity passenger railroad's highest monthly ridership in its 37-year history. July's passenger total rose 14 percent compared with July 2007's count.
In addition, ticket revenue in July jumped 18.6 percent year over year to $168 million.
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article.asp?id=17661
Miami should have more Amtrak connections. Miami should be able to go through Atlanta & Detriot. I know a Mia - Atl train would have Jax right in the middle. I don't get why they never run a route like that.
QuoteThu, Jul 10, 2008
There has been no Atlanta to Florida passenger trains since prior to Amtrak. There have been studies, but so far no one willing to do anything other than call for a study. In times past, there were multiple trains on multiple routes.
The last train standing was the final remnant of the Dixie Flyer, which ran overnight between Atlanta Union Station and Jacksonville. Nine hours each way. Don't know whether this train made it to A-day or not, but it did make it into the late 60's, at least. For many years this had been a Chicago to Florida train, but was post WW2 a secondary run. The portion north of Atlanta dissapeared in 1965 or thereabouts. The track is still there and is the CSX main line. Runs Atlanta - Manchester - Cordele - Waycross - Jacksonville.
Southern had trains on two routes. Up until the mid 1960's there was the Kansas City - Florida Special that ran KC to Jacksonville. It ran overnight Atlanta - Macon - Jesup - Jacksonville. The Jesup - Jacksonville segment was killed off first, which with loss of any through passenger shortly led to the discontinuation of the rest of the route. The track for this route is all still in place, but Macon - Jesup is a low speed light traffic unsignaled branch line. There have been proposals to restore service using this route south of Macon and on the ex CofG line north of Macon due to lack of problems with freight interference, but the work needed to run a reasonably fast schedule would be costly.
On their other route, Atlanta - Macon - Cordele - Valdosta - through the swamps direct to Jacksonville they had a day train and a nigth train, both running from Cincinatti with through cars from points north. They were the Royal Palm overnight and the Ponce de Leon daytime Chatanooga to Jacksonville. The track for this route is all still in place and still main line. The Ponce de Leon was kille off first with the Royal Palm going a couple of years thereafter, both gone before 1968.
Central of Georgia - Atlantic Coast Line, Atlanta -Griffin - Macon - Albany - Waycross - Jacksonville. This route also had a day train and a night train up until sometime in the early to mid 1960's, at one point carrying through cars from northern points that came in on the L&N from Cincinatti. Part of the Albany to Waycross line has been abandoned. Points north of Albany are lightly traveled, probably need work for any decent speed. There was also the Southland, overnight Atlanta to Tampa and St Petersburg up until the late 1950's. It ran almost due south out of Albany through Thomasville and on down the western part of the Florida Peninsula partly on a line known as the Perry Cutoff. Much of the route south of Albany has been abandoned. This train was through out of Chicago via Cincinatti.
The tracks exist!! but no train?? I don't get that.
I just took the train from NC to Jax Sunday and there wasn't an empty seat to be had. It's cheaper than flying, there's 2x the leg room, and it was far more comfortable than I thought it would be. There definitely is a negative stigma attached to train travel; maybe not quite as negative as bus travel, but very similar. However, the past few times I've tried to book at ticket on Amtrak the day before or the day of travel, many are sold out or only have sleeper car upgrades available. I would love to see a direct train connection to Atlanta or Charlotte. It's not the quickest nor the most convenient (it sucks showing up on time for your 1:30 am train when it's an hour late), but I found it more enjoyable than flying.
QuoteMiami should have more Amtrak connections. Miami should be able to go through Atlanta & Detriot. I know a Mia - Atl train would have Jax right in the middle. I don't get why they never run a route like that.
Miami has two carriers or rail lines northward, CSX turns NW at West Palm and heads for the Lakelander region of Winter Haven and a junction at Auburndale with it's Tampa-Lakeland-(Auburndale)-Orlando-Deland-Palatka-Orange Park-Jacksonville Route. The Florida East Coast shoots straight north all along the coast to Miami-West Palm- Melbourne - Daytona Beach - St. Augustine - Jacksonville.
Of those trains I named The following connected Miami with Atlanta via Jacksonville:
Dixieland
Dixieflyer
Southland
Flamingo
Royal Palm
Royal Poinciana
Ponce De Leon
There were many others that ran for a few seasons then were pulled off or renamed, but this was the stable. The shame here is other states are loudly involved in getting some of those new Amtrak funds and routes, even our neighbors. It would be such a small effort to get ourselves in the game via the city, the state or a JTA officer. IF WE DON'T FIGHT FOR POSITION - ORLANDO WILL! A 50 mile connection is in their plans right now to do just this. Orlando-Melbourne, CSX to FEC. It would allow all trains to go to Mickey then split for the East Coast, or Tampa, Ft. Myers etc... But it completely cuts North Florida out of the game, Ocala, Gainesville, Daytona Beach, St. Augustine could walk for all they care. "The Mouse that Roared". Meanwhile we sit on the railroad nerve center of the state and do,,,, do,,,, do,,,, NOTHING!OCKLAWAHA
QuoteIt would be such a small effort to get ourselves in the game via the city, the state or a JTA officer.
Any odds of this happening Ock?
Quote from: Ocklawaha on August 26, 2008, 09:25:20 AM
QuoteMiami should have more Amtrak connections. Miami should be able to go through Atlanta & Detriot. I know a Mia - Atl train would have Jax right in the middle. I don't get why they never run a route like that.
Miami has two carriers or rail lines northward, CSX turns NW at West Palm and heads for the Lakelander region of Winter Haven and a junction at Auburndale with it's Tampa-Lakeland-(Auburndale)-Orlando-Deland-Palatka-Orange Park-Jacksonville Route. The Florida East Coast shoots straight north all along the coast to Miami-West Palm- Melbourne - Daytona Beach - St. Augustine - Jacksonville.
Of those trains I named The following connected Miami with Atlanta via Jacksonville:
Dixieland
Dixieflyer
Southland
Flamingo
Royal Palm
Royal Poinciana
Ponce De Leon
There were many others that ran for a few seasons then were pulled off or renamed, but this was the stable. The shame here is other states are loudly involved in getting some of those new Amtrak funds and routes, even our neighbors. It would be such a small effort to get ourselves in the game via the city, the state or a JTA officer. IF WE DON'T FIGHT FOR POSITION - ORLANDO WILL! A 50 mile connection is in their plans right now to do just this. Orlando-Melbourne, CSX to FEC. It would allow all trains to go to Mickey then split for the East Coast, or Tampa, Ft. Myers etc... But it completely cuts North Florida out of the game, Ocala, Gainesville, Daytona Beach, St. Augustine could walk for all they care. "The Mouse that Roared". Meanwhile we sit on the railroad nerve center of the state and do,,,, do,,,, do,,,, NOTHING!
OCKLAWAHA
What a sec??? 7 lines that connected Atlanta to Miami were removed? And now Orlando wants a direct connection to Atlanta bypassing north Florida?? Am I reading you right Ock?
QuoteWhat a sec??? 7 lines that connected Atlanta to Miami were removed? And now Orlando wants a direct connection to Atlanta bypassing north Florida?? Am I reading you right Ock?
No, sorry for the confusion there my friend. 3 lines connecting Jax and Atlanta, and 2 JAX to Miami, once operated 7 flagship (really deluxe) trains. They each ran up one of the two Florida routes and from JAX they went up one of 3 Georgia routes. All three of the Georgia routes are still in place and in top shape, in Florida 1 is in place, and the second is somewhat changed, but usable, again both in top shape.
What Orlando is trying to do is keep all of the trains on the CSX south of Jacksonville, via Palatka-Deland-Sanford. Trains can be split up enroute, for example a train from Atlanta could be for Miami AND for Tampa. When it get's to Jacksonville, one engine and 1/2 the cars head down the Florida East Coast, and the other engine and other 1/2 head toward Tampa. Jacksonville terminal was designed to do this, we have all of the support facilities here in town to make this an easy catch...but we are sitting on our hands. Orlando meanwhile want's to "Play like a big city station" and bust up the trains and send different sections to different coasts. They want EVERY train to pass through Disney-Mouse-Shamu World... Screw Daytona, St. Augustine, Gainesville, Ocala, Brooksville, Dunnellon... Nobody want's to go there! (Well that's what Orlando seems to be working on). OCKLAWAHA
We need a swift kick and an Amtrak-JTA officer
QuoteAny odds of this happening Ock?
JTA will change a bus route with 10 written requests, so they hear the voices... 2get1B1 ...I will speak, but I must be invited.
OCKLAWAHA
City Boardings + Alightings
Deerfield Beach 22,218
Deland 22,077
Delray Beach 8,045
Fort Lauderdale 38,654
Hollywood 29,174
Jacksonville 57,777
Kissimmee 34,828
Lakeland 20,276
Miami 67,629
Okeechobee 3,067
Orlando 129,469
Palatka 10,791
Sanford (Auto-Train Station) 217,822
Sebring 15,227
Tampa 74,984
West Palm Beach 43,643
Winter Haven 17,923
Winter Park 26,491
Total Florida Station Usage: 840,095
LOL this is high usage? a total of 840 thousand usage over 1 year period, average that over a total year and compare the daily average to the states poputlation
wonder what the jax intl airports departures were over the same period.
I wonder what the numbers would be at Jacksonville International if there were 2 departures a day.
wonder what the numbers would be for the amtrak station in jax, if there were 40 trains a day?
They would be higher.
H.R. 2095 (Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2007 ) passed in the Senate vote 74-24, and now goes to the Bush's desk with enough strength to override a veto.
Aside, all "nay" were Republican (including McCain-AZ, Coburn-OK, etc.), with two interesting Democrats not voting for their own reasons (Biden-DE, Kennedy-MA).
This out-of-towner would like to know if anyone from Jacksonville is still interested in moving the Amtrak station back to downtown, reinstating the Sunset Limited from JAX to New Orleans, and establishing a route along the entire Florida eastern coast?
There's still much to be done to make sure Amtrak actually gets the money. Some enthusiasm from your locals to promote the opportunities, and maybe show a new positive example of transportation planning on all levels, would personally be appreciated. It would certainly increase my room nights and money spent in JAX per year!
QuoteQuoteQuoteI wonder what the numbers would be at Jacksonville International if there were 2 departures a day.
wonder what the numbers would be for the amtrak station in jax, if there were 40 trains a day?
They would be higher.
1,150,000+ per year, based on current train numbers. Keeping in mind it should be even higher, as the society adapts to loss of auto freedom (cheap fuel) and all but long-distance air services. Also keeping in mind that WE ARE THE HUB for everything between Washington DC - Atlanta - Birmingham - New Orleans and everything else that is within FLORIDA. So networking and conectivity would start to play a huge roll if we just got back what we had when Amtrak started here, with the single addition of the Gulf Wind (a day time train to replace the Sunsets overnight run through the Panhandle to MSY/NORL or AKA: New Orleans). Flipping one NY-Miami / NY-Tampa train which would split at Jax about Midnight for the runs southward, would provide the through sleeping cars and coaches from the Gulf Wind and Points west to every point South. Early morning arrivals in Orlando-Lakeland-Tampa
and West Palm-Ft. Lauderdale-Miami. QuoteQuoteThis out-of-towner would like to know if anyone from Jacksonville is still interested in moving the Amtrak station back to downtown, reinstating the Sunset Limited from JAX to New Orleans, and establishing a route along the entire Florida eastern coast?
Having taken the Sunset Limited to LAX in 1998, I can say that it's not likely a route I'd take again simply because of the time involved. A week's vacation turns into 1 day in your destination city. (If we were to get high-speed trains that could go JAX to LAX in a day, I'd definitely sign up!)
As for the Florida coast....YES PLEASE. I'd love to hop a train to Ft. Lauderdale or Miami for the weekend!
PART ONE: Amtrak, FDOT, the Southeast High Speed Rail Colition, Destination Freedom, United Rail Passenger Alliance, National Association of Rail Passengers as well as the National Railway Historical Society are all pushing or pulling for this:
Restore the Florida East Coast Route ASAP
Restore the Sunset-Gulf Wind Route
Restore the Waldo-Ocala-Wildwood-Lakeland-Tampa Route
Restore Jacksonville - Atlanta ASAP
Increase (many x) the numbers between NYC-Washington-JAX
Create Jacksonville-Savannah-Charlotte-DC-NYC (mainline track is available)
Restore Tampa-Sarasota-Venice
Restore Lakeland-Ft. Myers-Naples
PART TWO:
Doubt you'll ever see one-day LAX-JAX service. But you could see 3-5 cruise trains making the trip using some variations of the current routes. Typical Sunset, another via Dallas-Ft. Worth, Another Via Birmingham-Memphis, etc...
So sorry you didn't enjoy the LA trip, you hit it just at a time when Union Pacific (AKA: Uncle Pete) was trying to make things so bad for Amtrak that they would just give it up... Didn't happen, but some legal hardball did! Trains shine on the medium and shorter distance markets, and for those who take the time to see the county. People today don't know how to travel, it's almost a lost art form, to wit:
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f256/sfg90027/airplane1213112.jpg)
Crowded Skys bring on meyhem.
(http://www.purewest.com/adventures/train/goldleaf_car.jpg)
"It's not the getting there but the going thats good, on the train"
Definitions of travel on OXFORD and the Web:
travel
• verb (travelled, travelling; US also traveled, traveling) 1 make a journey. 2 journey along (a road) or through (a region). 3 move or go from one place to another. 4 withstand a journey without adverse effects.
(http://www.northwestfrequentflyer.com/media/blogs/nwatravel/Airplane.jpg)
Flying on Instruments IFR
Travel is the transport of people on a trip/journey or the process or time involved in a person or object moving from one location to another. Reasons for travel include:*Tourism--travel for recreation. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travel
The act of travel(l)ing; a series of journeys; an account of one's travels; The activity or traffic along a route or through a given point; The motion of a piece of machinery; The length of a mechanical stroke; To be on a journey, often for pleasure or business and with luggage; to go from ...
en.wiktionary.org/wiki/travel
A Travel picture must express the feeling of a time and place, portray a land, its people or a culture in its natural state, and has no geographic limitations. ...
www.n4c.org/N4C%20Comp%20Classes/n4c_definitions.htm
A travel image is one that captures the feeling of place and time, and portrays a land, people or culture in its natural state. It may be taken either in a foreign land or anywhere in one's own country. ...
www.pacamera.com/categyDef.html
time should preferably be allocated in line with the purpose of the trip. If the trip is being carried out for work being carried out for a specific project or programme then it should be directly attributed to Teaching, Research or Other as appropriate. ...
www.fec.ed.ac.uk/docs/open/TRAC%20Manual/TRACmanualword%20files%20to%20zip/Annex_6.doc
The origin of the word 'travel'
A word that has long fascinated me because I am a travel writer is the word ‘travel’ itself. It came originally, I think, from the Latin ‘tripalium’ which was a three-legged instrument invented by Nero to torture people. That eventually became ‘travail’, the French word for work, and then travel. I think this all comes from the OED. When ‘travel’ was first introduced into the English language it meant something that was hard and difficult. It was work, one never travelled for pleasure! One undertook a ‘travail’ and only lately did travel become something associated with pleasure. It is a very interesting progression from torture, to work, to pleasure.
There are two entries in the OED. One is for ‘travail’, which is work or labour - it could have been the labour of childbirth or any sort of hard work. There is also the sense of ‘travel’, meaning moving around.
(http://www.bgu.ac.il/noar/students/interhug967/gil/tv-movie/airplane/johnny.jpg)
Why Did The Late Great Johnny Stucker Unplug The Airports Landing Lights? HE WAS AN AVID RAILROAD FAN!
And now, as Paul Harvey would say, you know the AIRLINE meaning of the word! (http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa111/Ocklawaha/OcklawahaSignature.jpg)
An update:
Wall Street Journal - Senate Approves $13 Billion Amtrak Funding Bill - OCTOBER 1, 2008, 9:27 P.M. ET - By JOSH MITCHELL | Dow Jones Newswires
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Congress passed legislation Wednesday to boost funds for Amtrak and expand passenger rail service at a time of record ridership.
The Senate voted 74-24 to approve the five-year, $13 billion bill, which also mandates new safety measures for trains, including collision-avoidance technology. The House passed the bill last week.
The legislation will now proceed to the White House for President Bush's signature. The president threatened to veto a previous Amtrak funding bill earlier this year. But the bill approved Wednesday passed by a margin large enough in both chambers to suggest there is enough support in Congress to overcome a veto.
Funding for the legislation requires further congressional action, which is not likely to happen before the end of the year.
The legislation authorizes $2.5 billion a year for Amtrak, almost double its current federal funding level. The money would cover operating and capital expenses, including equipment purchases and railroad repairs. About $1.4 billion would help pay down Amtrak's more than $3 billion in debt.
About $1.9 billion would fund a matching-grant program to encourage states to invest in rail expansion and repair.
Lawmakers have long debated whether taxpayers should continue to subsidize the nation's intercity passenger rail network, which ran a $1 billion deficit in the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2007. But momentum has grown in Congress to invest more in passenger rail service amid concerns over rising gas prices, climate change and traffic congestion.
That momentum comes as more and more Americans are turning to trains to escape high gas prices. Amtrak set another record in the year that ended Tuesday with more than 28 million riders, preliminary figures show, a double-digit percentage increase over the previous year.
The legislation will "substantially change our federal policy toward passenger rail travel," Sen. Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey said during Senate debate this week.
The legislation also contains provisions designed to make Amtrak's management more accountable, such as financial reporting standards.
It is the first time Congress passed an Amtrak reauthorization bill since 1997.
The other half of the legislation is designed to improve railroad safety. It requires a technology known as positive train control, or PTC, on passenger trains and certain hazmat rail main lines by 2015. The technology automatically stops trains that run a stop signal. A federal official has said PTC could have prevented the Sept. 12 train crash in California that killed 25 people.
The bill also caps work shifts at 12 hours and mandates 10-hour rest periods for train crews and signal employees.
Sounds like an all around solid plan.
It's a great plan Jason, I just wish it were even more - double or several times the amount, to at least approach something of what we spend on AIRLINES.
Let's all be as pro active as possible and MAKE SURE FLORIDA DOESN'T SIT ON IT'S HANDS and leave us out in the cold. We already have a ton of damage control to do, and most of it has come during the era of Amtrak "Making trains worth riding again".
Abandonment of Jacksonville Terminal *Amtrak-COJ
Abandonment of Sanford Station *Amtrak
Abandonment of the Wildwood (Coleman-Auburndale) passenger cut-off *CSX-FDOT
Abandonment of the Sunset Limited route to New Orleans *Amtrak-using Katrina as an excuse
Abandonment of the Floridian route to Chicago *Bad Amtrak planning, bad CSX track, but Carter Cut it.
This is just the tip of the iceburg, keep posted for more on this I believe on Tuesday.
OCKLAWAHA
Quote from: WeeklyJoe on October 02, 2008, 05:24:42 AM
This out-of-towner would like to know if anyone from Jacksonville is still interested in moving the Amtrak station back to downtown, reinstating the Sunset Limited from JAX to New Orleans, and establishing a route along the entire Florida eastern coast?
That is the ride I am wondering about. The Jax - NO train would be 3 trains, the Jax - Atl heading to the midwest (StL, Chi, Det) would be a 4th train.
Ock what is the problem with the NO to Jax train?
QuoteOck what is the problem with the NO to Jax train
Brain dead planners in the US House, DOT, and to a lesser extent Amtrak. FDOT is not even in the game as a Republican State, we are in lock step with McCain on RAILROAD and SURFACE TRANSPORTATION. These guys have never met a freeway they didn't love. Jax might be onto something though, don't know, but might be a position at JTA with some "AMTRAK" planning input - something new and created for someone.
You are right, the current routes we could have are many, the track is ready to go, just add depots. The short list includes:
Jacksonville-Waycross-Montgomery-Birmingham-Nashville
Jacksonville-Waycross-Manchester-Atlanta-Chattanooga-Nashville-Louisville-Chicago
Jacksonville-Valdosta-Macon-Atlanta-Chattanooga-Knoxville (West)-Cincinnati-
Cincinnati - Indy-Chicago
Cincinnati -Toledo-Detroit
Cincinnati -Columbus-Cleveland-Buffalo
Jacksonville-Waycross-Manchester-Birmingham-Memphis-Cario-Carbondale-St. Louis
Carbondale - Chicago
Jacksonville - Waycross - Manchester - Birmingham - Meridian - Shreveport - Dallas
Jacksonville - Waycross - Manchester - Birmingham - Memphis - Springfield - Kansas City
Jacksonville - Baldwin - Tallahassee - Pensacola - Mobile - Biloxi - New Orleans
New Orleans - Baton Rouge
New Orleans - Houston - San Antonio - El Paso - Tuscon - Los Angeles
New Orleans - Alexandria - Shreveport - Dallas
Jacksonville - Savannah - Columbia - Raleigh - Washington - New York
Jacksonville - Savannah - Charleston - Fayetteville - Washington - New York
Jacksonville - Waycross - Savannah - Charleston - Fayetteville - Norfolk
Jacksonville - Savannah - Columbia - Charlotte - Washington - New York
Then of course there are a few more lesser routes not to mention about 5 ways south from here.
Jacksonville - Ocala - Lakeland - Orlando
Jacksonville - Ocala - Lakeland - Tampa
Jacksonville - Palatka - Orlando - Tampa
Jacksonville - Palatka - Orlando - Winter Haven - West Palm Beach - Ft. Lauderdale - Miami
Jacksonville - Ocala - Lakeland - Winter Haven - West Palm Beach - Ft. Lauderdale - Miami
Jacksonville - St. Augustine - Daytona Beach - Melbourne - West Palm Beach - Ft. Lauderdale - Miami
Jacksonville - St. Augustine - East Palatka (half the railroad and 100% of the Right of Way is still there).
Now, what was someone saying about us not being a hub? care to connect these dots anyone? Tell me what Union Station would be like WHEN WE DO?
The real pisser here is while we've been busy with Bus Rapid Transit schemes, new freeways all over the State and we (YES US IN JACKSONVILLE) have poured our Millions into Orlando MCO, Tampa TPA, Miami MIA and another half dozen super airports for an ailing industry. Meanwhile here at home, we've sat on our hands and allowed our own unique spot on the transportation map be piddled away. Rail has already returned to California and the Pacific Coast, and the North East and upper Mid-West, it's just a matter of time for us, we need to decide if we are going to be the new HARTSFIELD ATLANTA (of the railroad industy) or just an Amshack on the way to Mickey Mouse. OCKLAWAHA