More rail for Orlando: Officials now pushing for an E-W rail line

[thelakelander]

Like Charlotte and Albuquerque, Orlando barely has approval for the first line, yet they are now pushing for a second.  What does JTA & the MPO know about buses and financial realities that these sprawling low density cities don't?

Rail officials planning east-west route from convention center to Lake Nona

Jay Hamburg | Sentinel Staff Writer
December 13, 2007

With the ink barely dry on the plan for Central Florida's first commuter-rail system, regional leaders decided Wednesday that it was time to start thinking about the next leg of train service.

MetroPlan Orlando voted to designate an east-west route from the Orange County Convention Center to the airport and the soon-to-be-built Medical City in Lake Nona as the region's new rail priority.

The route would connect to the new north-south commuter-rail line that will open in phases through Central Florida in 2010 and 2013.


For now, the east-west route that could parallel part of Sand Lake Road is just an idea that lacks tracks, right-of-way or funding.

Officials speculated the project would cost more than the $615 million north-south system, but they couldn't say by how much. It likely would take at least five to seven years of studies, designs and approvals before construction could start, they said.

The board, mostly made up of elected officials from Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties, also did not specify what type of rail line -- commuter, light rail, monorail or maglev -- would be the best fit.

To get things started, the transportation planning agency asked staff members to begin to work with federal officials on feasibility and environmental studies, a process that would include several public meetings.

Orange County Commissioner Linda Stewart, who leads MetroPlan, said the region needs to try to get ahead of its growing transportation needs.

"It will be a huge addition to our commuter-rail spine," Stewart said.

State and local governments recently approved the Central Florida Commuter Rail project that will extend from DeLand to Poinciana.

The first leg should be completed in 2010, and the entire 61-mile system should be open in 2013.

But given the long battle to get that project approved, officials decided to launch the new idea Wednesday.

With theme parks and hotels on the west side of the route, the airport in the middle and the new Medical City and Innovation Way development on the east side, ridership should be high, said Roger Neiswender, Orlando's transportation director, who also leads the Central Florida commuter-rail technical advisory group.

"It's a tremendous opportunity," Neiswender said.

He noted, however, the federal government wasn't likely to support such a project unless the system had a dedicated source of funding such as a sales tax.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-rail1307dec13,0,2858381.story

[Lunican]

Maybe JTA should shut down for the day, pile onto one of their buses, and head down to Orlando for a lesson in financial and political realities.

[Ocklawaha]

Florida Central has welcomed all manner of passenger service. I know they have operated or allowed operation of no less then 5 tourist train schedules at various times. These were complete trains with daily operations, down to "Doodlebugs" forerunners of the modern DMU's. The City / Counties have been in very active talks with FC. In fact they do such a great job they now do most local switching work under contract for CSX along their mainline between downtown and Taft - MCO (Orlando International). Last time I was there, they had a complete Amtrak type streamliner under tarps up near Tavares.



So watch for them to be big players in the Commuter Rail of the near future. Last year CSX operated these lines they moved 600 carloads. Today FC has that up to 20,000+. Track has been rebuilt and many of the depots are not only still standing, but restored. Moving that track from a 25 MPH route to 45-65 isn't that big of a leap.



The REAL SHAME is we have 3 or 4 such shortlines and 3 mainline railroads, and still can't get JTA to notice. Have y'all ever seen an open platform office car on the rear of a train? I once owned the former FEC car, "The Mountain Queen", but never had the big bucks to do a proper restoration on her. BTW, did you know our shortline (First Coast Railroad) from the County Line through Yulee to Fernandina Beach is in the passenger business? TRUE! They own a private presidential office car built in the 1920's and used by the likes of Presidential hopefuls, Michael Jackson, and the DuPont Family vacations. It comes with a 5-star chef too. So think, just how hard would it be to convince these guys we want a commuter train up the old "S" and beyond?  Want to show the City Council the railroad line? How would a DMU pulling that famous car impress the socks off them?  

Ocklawaha

[thelakelander]

There are no existing railroad tracks that travel between the convention center and the airport.  I have a feeling that this one is going to end up being light rail. 

[Ocklawaha]

Lake you are probably right, however there are some tracks that could come into play, not unlike our own ideas. The old Navy Base at McCoy had a railroad that reaches Tradeport Drive. Also there is a Coal line that skirts the Airport property and goes East of town to the OUC power plant. So light rail, DMU or some combination of the above might happen.

Also watch for that Coal Line to be curved over to the Coast at Port Canaveral, IF (A VERY BIG IF) FDOT ever get's it's act together and is able to overcome the crys over the St. Johns Wetlands. Otherwise, seems to me the best way to get at this rail-less port is to come through the NASA railroad trackage from the North.
Ocklawaha