7 major projects changing the face of rail travel

[thelakelander]

There are seven major rail projects that have been in development for decades that are now coming to fruition all at once. Let's take a look at how rail travel will be changing in the near future.

Read More: https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/7-major-projects-changing-the-face-of-rail-travel/

[thelakelander]

I'm really looking forward to the opening of Brightline in Orlando. I've seen the construction process close up down there. From being a kid in school in Central Florida hearing visions about HSR down the I-4 corridor, cities fighting over potential station sites, winning money from the Obama administration, only to witness it given away and decades of dreams crushed during the Scott administration. Flying out of MCO pretty often, the infrastructure and the station at the new Terminal C have been up for a while now. I can't wait to take a train as passenger and experience that ride full length.

[Lunican]

With the new stations, new trains, and good customer service, Brightline really is enjoyable to ride on. Maybe one day it will come to Jax...

[marcuscnelson]

Four months later: 3/7 of these projects are open: Moynihan Train Hall, Grand Central Madison and the Elizabeth Line. Brightline to Orlando and the new Acelas are set to operate this year, Caltrain electrification could be operating by the end of next year, and CAHSR is a much longer term project. Pretty exciting. Brightline West is also aiming to begin construction by the end of the year (presumably pending federal grant awards) and be complete in time for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, and some pretty nice renderings of the trains just dropped:

[jaxlongtimer]

^ Reminds me of the bullet trains in Japan.  I have ridden them and you hardly know you are moving.  The precision engineering (I recall the gap between the station platform and the floor of the train was a fraction of an inch) and operation (not to mention the comfort, cleanliness and service) are incredible .  We could learn a lot from them.  They have an amazing system and infrastructure to be admired.  Once you ride one, you are likely sold on the possibilities of such trains.  The U.S. is decades behind in high speed rail.

[HeartofFlorida]

I'm really looking forward to the opening of Brightline in Orlando. I've seen the construction process close up down there. From being a kid in school in Central Florida hearing visions about HSR down the I-4 corridor, cities fighting over potential station sites, winning money from the Obama administration, only to witness it given away and decades of dreams crushed during the Scott administration. Flying out of MCO pretty often, the infrastructure and the station at the new Terminal C have been up for a while now. I can't wait to take a train as passenger and experience that ride full length.

I remember back in '91 or '92 when interest HSR was being floated around to drum up interest.  The X2000 prototype was being pulled across the state and made a stop at the old SCL/Amtrak station in Lakeland in which I had to opportunity to witness. 

Don't even get me started on the state rejecting fund for HSR.  That felt like a gut punch and to make matters worse, the "why" or ulterior motives in rejecting the funds is borderline criminal.

[jcjohnpaint]

That was Rick Scott if I remember correctly

[HeartofFlorida]

That was Rick Scott if I remember correctly

Yes, it was Tricky Ricky with his hands in the cookie jar.