New Rail Passenger Service

[fsujax]

Looks like FECI is going to be creating a new passenger service that will connect Orlando to Miami, then to Jacksonville and Tampa. Interesting development.

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120322005917/en/Florida-East-Coast-Industries-Announces-Plans-Private

[Adam W]

Orlando - Miami rail service is a great idea for tourists. It would be even better if it was high speed rail (not saying it isn't, but I didn't see anything in the article).

[fsujax]

lots of details still need to be worked out. I highly doubt it will be true HSR since it will operate in the FEC ROW.

[mtraininjax]

Code name, All Aboard Florida. How original?

[aclchampion]

Wonder of this conflicts with the long discussed FEC/Amtrak project? Or does this kick start that project?

[mtraininjax]

I would say that FECI just smacked Amtrak in the mouth and said, we are tired of waiting on the bureaucracy, we are moving forward. Amtrak needs FECI more than FECI needs Amtrak.

[thelakelander]

^If FEC wants to do this, I'd say go for it!  Their system is responsible for Florida's entire East Coast, so the land uses and urban clusters are already in place to make it work.  On the surface, this sounds like a potential winner to me and I love the time frame.

[thelakelander]

[Ocklawaha]

Better get ready to dial 1-800-HELLO JACKSONVILLE TERMINAL! Get that convention business out of the Terminal BEFORE we end up with another 'AMSHACK' FECSHACK!

Watch the back door on this one as the FEC connects to the NASA railroad and some of the aero-space manufacturing is in Orlando. Also Port Canaveral has been clamoring for a rail link for two decades. I bet this is WAY MORE complex then anything in those news releases say.

[thelakelander]

^Ock, I was thinking the same thing.  This is being billed as passenger rail but it also sets up for FEC to expand freight rail operations to Orlando and Tampa. Brilliant move on their part.

[aclchampion]

And I think CSX is going to be VERY reluctant to let FEC/NS get any kind of a foothold on the freight rail business in Orlando.

[fsujax]

Of course it is. Ock are they utilizing some abandoned rail corridor from Cocoa to Orlando? not sure.

[thelakelander]

^My guess is they'll want the median of the Bee Line.  It's a straight shot and the shortest distance.

[tufsu1]

I think they'll be working out a deal with the state to use the Beachline (conveniently it ends in Cocoa) and I-4 ROW...you know, just like HSR was going to do!

[thelakelander]

I wonder how long its going to take the FTU and other local media to pick this story up?  It's been out in South and Central Florida media outlets for a few hours now.