It's been a long, long, long, time since a fast passenger train made the 368 mile trip from Jacksonville to Miami as a regularly scheduled service. There are some who believe "That Railroad Will Never Change"... But it already has. It's once again our own invertebrate cerebrally challenged Neanderthal political machine that has kept rail off of the Florida East Coast. After the Transit Conference downtown yesterday, I was angry enough to march on Tallahassee all by myself (Olustee not withstanding - after all I'll be wearing grey). So what is gonig on? Do you REALLY WANT TO KNOW? Pure 100% - North Florida - Tallahassee - Grade AAA - BULL SHIT!
Here's the whole and true story on the Florida East Coast possibilities that I'm running with elsewhere:
The non-operating unions walked out on strike against the Florida East Coast in 1963. Within days 2 trains were blasted off the tracks and all services were suspended. The Seaboard Air Line, already in talks of Merger with the Atlantic Coast Line, agreed to "detour" the Miami fleet. The former route being NY-Fayetteville-Savannah-Jacksonville-FEC-Miami. The "detour" route was NY-Fayetteville-Savannah-Jacksonville-Auburndale- (then via the Seaboard) through Winter Haven-Sebring-West Palm-Miami. This "detour" is still in effect 40 years later, such a progressive place this, Florida.
Railroad Special Agents, Florida FDLE, and the FBI were in on the bombing case. I don't recall an arrest or if there was, it didn't stick. The pickets lasted until about 1970 and were starved out. In the last 20 years, Florida East Coast became an empire. From Flagler Development (see the Miami Skyline or Nocatee) to a railroad concrete cross tie business they excelled. FEC Industries or FECI was formed. By this time a bargaining agreement with the Unions had been reached and the strike ended... (the longest in US history). FEC was again unionized.
In more recent years the railroad was spun off from FECI. FEC was purchased by a group of former executives from Santa Fe and Kansas City Southern fame. They completely changed the personality of the railroad. Railroaders that came up from the tracks, these men were even seen operating trains... just to talk to the crews about their needs. Railfans along the line were issued 2-way radios so then could "check trains" and report any abnormal things. The railroad got warm and fuzzy. They also signed a deal to bring back the passenger trains in 2002.
The Amtrak budget got the axe from Bush and as a result, rather then get our new trains, we lost 3 others. (*we are now down to two daily - lower then pre WAR OF YANKEE AGGRESSION times). FEC was recently purchased by a holding company of "shortlines" and as such it is the flagship road of a 5,000 mile + family of railroads across America. They are actively involved in the process and so far are the only railroad with a man in every Commuter Rail Meeting. They need more track capacity and we need both passenger trains to Miami as well as commuter rail. It's a win-win for both sides and they know it.
The deadbeats in this saga are in Tallahassee, and until they sign a liability agreement for Central Florida Commuter Rail - thus creating a guideline... NOTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN. I was with friend and Congressman John Mica yesterday, and those were his words. Besides his comments on "Tell your friends at JTA to get me a rail proposal - SKYWAY and streetcar in hand, I need to see a plan." He also said to the public, JACKSONVILLE RESIDENTS need to go to Tallahassee and grab them by the collar and DEMAND they act NOW.
Amtrak has $15 BILLION to spend on expansion, it's get in the door now, or lose those funds to Utah or some progressive state. For the first time since the Skyway was built we can get rail HERE for an 80/20 split! We won't get one train, not one commuter car, NOTHING if these sloths keep dragging their feet.
GOD ARE WE STUPID!
(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa111/Ocklawaha/CRITICAL%20Special%20Effects%20Images/lightningandTRACTION-1-1.jpg)
We already know this is not a priority of city hall, although it should be. What's JTA's position on this?
This is an issue that also deals with increasing rail capacity for the port operations. For example, CSX's track relocation plan for the new port terminals will be funded 100% from the money they make off the Orlando deal. Relaying the S-Line can provide a direct connection between FEC's Bowden Yard and the Tallyrand port terminals. JTA, CSX, and FEC should team up to apply additional pressure on the Mayor's Office and Council to jump on board.
Btw, I have a feeling if Obama gets elected, this attitude towards rail will be changing for the better over the next couple of years.