Sunrail bill passes: What it means for Jacksonville

[CS Foltz]

Ock.........I would be more than happy to volunteer! tufsu1 I agree with Ock on this one big guy! A 30 minute window should be more than enough for before and after freight runs passing on the same track! That stretch down US1 has passing track and they are used big time so if needed.......add some additional track at preselected points where needed! Your a consultant .....you tell me where the best places would be?? Obviously where ROW permits to do so but what the heck ........I am just a dumb taxpayer. You don't sound too enthusiastic about having rail here in Jacksonville big fella.........why not?

[tufsu1]

Ock....you are correct...at one time passenger and freight rail both operated on the same tracks and both provided high quality service....WHEN THE RAIL COMPANIES PROVIDED BOTH SERVICES!

I can't tell you how many times I would ride Amtrak in the northeast (where there is little to no freight traffic) and have to wait as a higher-prirority Metroliner (now Acela) train got to pass....obviously affecting on-time arrival.

So, imgine a similar situation when a passenger train has to pull aside to allow a freight train (operated by the track's owner) to pass....and then keep in mind how slow some of those freight trains are!

[CS Foltz]

Solution is simple.........build parallel  tracks and use existing ROW! Expand as necessary......end of problem!

[tufsu1]

Solution is simple.........build parallel  tracks and use existing ROW! Expand as necessary......end of problem!

you mean the existing ROW that is owned by the freight rail companies (like CSX)?

You might want to check out those lines...in many cases, there is room to double track, but not much else.

[CS Foltz]

tufsu1 .....I am sure that a "Reciprocal" agreement could be worked out! And yes..double track is what I am referring to, room for not much else not needed except at transfer points! Don't forget .....how much of abandoned ROW is currently available or discontinued tracks.....there are options that don't require CSX to be paid anything I believe..........is there not?

[thelakelander]

You could go the HSR route and passenger rail down the middle of expressways.  However, it will cost more and typically miss the center of most communities it will serve.

[tufsu1]

there are options that don't require CSX to be paid anything I believe..........is there not?

I would assume we'd still have to pay to use their rail...or do the SunRail thing and buy the rail, and then lease it back to them.

[mtraininjax]

Let's start with commuter rail and see what happens with it in Florida, before we jump to HSR. There is barely money for commuter rail now, what with Healthcare, Medicare, SS and jobs bills taking all of Congress' time. Do we really need HSR now?

[Lunican]

Statewide Amtrak corridor service would be a much better idea than high speed rail between Tampa and Orlando.

[CS Foltz]

Lunican I agree! HSR in  the Orlando area does not let it shine like it should! Down there strictly a Rat Feeder and not the interstate system that is needed!

[tufsu1]

I know this will surprise some of you...but I also agree....I've always supported expanding Amtrak service in Florida as a first step.

[Lunican]

I think it should have come even before Sunrail, but I guess that's not how it's going to work out.

[JeffreyS]

I think we have a great shot at Amtrak corridor expansion. We will probably get stimulus money for the Jax-Miami line and not HSR. The state may be more willing to talk Amtrak at that point.