Brightline Orlando extension

[Palmland]

The Orlando Sentinel has some more details. This link may be behind a paywall but here is an excerpt.
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Brightline has been steadfastly coy about its start date for service from South Florida to Orlando, saying only that it will occur in 2023.
"The station takes the luxury amenities Brightline is known for to new heights featuring an upscale retail experience with convenient in-station shopping and its Mary Mary Bar, serving hand-crafted cocktails and lite bites,” Brightline said in a statement. “The signature sit-down bar is positioned at the far end of the station with a stunning panoramic view overlooking the train platform where guests can leisurely watch as trains arrive and depart the platform.”
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Now that's a bar I could enjoy.

 

[user 1215]

Kinda just like all the other Brightline stations...

 

[cirdan]

Both are used for traction. Usually the front one is used for HEP too.

Do you know if this is done out of purely pragmatic grounds, or whether they are counting on the effect of the passing train to clean the rail surface meaning more tractive effort can be applied by the rear locomotive.

In the same way that some modern locomotives are programmed to spin the leading axle slightly faster than the others to obtain some enhancement of rail to wheel friction.

 

[joelkfla]

 

[user 1215]

I thought this was completed like back in November. Near the end of the video, while showing the ballasted track, he says this happened a couple months ago, but does anyone know what day this actually happened? At least I didn't have to question my sanity. lol

Something else I noticed driving along the route is that there are already signal lights installed (but turned perpendicular to the ROW) above the non-existent Track 2. Is the construction for track 2 imminent?

 

[jis]

Something else I noticed driving along the route is that there are already signal lights installed (but turned perpendicular to the ROW) above the non-existent Track 2. Is the construction for track 2 imminent?

No. It will be built when traffic requires it, so not for at least a few years.

 

[Qapla]

Construction of Brightline rail connecting Orlando to Miami nears completion, officials say

 

[joelkfla]

Orlando Sentinel says there is some turbulence in the waters being navigated by the Sunshine Corridor extension of SunRail & Brightline to the OC Convention Center. Seems Orange County Mayor Demings is in a bit of a huff about Universal announcing it's Development District for the OCCC station without consulting with him first, and a county commissioner making statements about the project. To quote the article, "With several private participants and the dozen or more government bodies involved, it’s hard to know who has their hands on the wheel of the region’s passenger rail future..."

On a side note, Brightline is now predicting a late September start-up for service to Orlando, or, to be more vague, “Ideally, it’s probably later summer, early fall.”

And on another side note, it appears that Disney is quietly working on the possibilty of a station near its property, which may be served, by both rail system or just one of them.

A subscription is required to read the full article:
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/new...0230120-les6u3qr2vhcthu55d66y37dki-story.html

 

[jis]

And on another side note, it appears that Disney is quietly working on the possibilty of a station near its property, which may be served, by both rail system or just one of them.

The currently proposed I-Drive station is just across I-4 from Disney. All that Disney has to do is provide some land and some money to build a different ramp onto the I-4 ROW from their side to get a station on their property. When they withdrew in a huff back then, it seemed to me that they would eventually come around.

Of course that might upset the I-Drive folks. At the end of the day they will need to provide some kind of a local shuttle service to provide access to the station from everywhere in its vicinity.

 

[user 1215]

It would not surprise me to see Disney completely ignore the existence of Brightline after they pulled out. There may be no free transfer. I can see many companies coming up with some revenue producing routes.

I hope I'm wrong. I wish Disney would see the benefit. But, transferring guests opens up a whole new logistical expense.

 

[Palmland]

But, transferring guests opens up a whole new logistical expense.

Yes, but.. This would be less of an expense and logistical challenge than the no longer free Disney transportation to Disney hotels from the airport offered prior to last year.

And, I read recently that Disney will start charging for in park transportation. The additional expense for transportation to/from Brightline should not be a problem. No longer is Disney affordable for those without a lot of disposable income.

 

[joelkfla]

And, I read recently that Disney will start charging for in park transportation. The additional expense for transportation to/from Brightline should not be a problem. No longer is Disney affordable for those without a lot of disposable income.

That is not a reliable source. No other site has reported it. The same site says DIsney will be allowing Guests to implant transponders under their skin to replace Magic Bands.

 

[Palmland]

Right you are! I should have read it all as this was included: “To stay up to date on more very real Disney news like this totally made up story, be sure to follow..”

 

[user 1215]

The signals are powered on, on the track parallel to 528!! (At least West of the Dallas toll plaza)

 

[user 1215]

Heard on the radio this morning that EIS is expected 2Q and 90% of the construction is complete.

 

[joelkfla]

Heard on the radio this morning that EIS is expected 2Q and 90% of the construction is complete.

Didn't they have to do the Environmental Impact Statement before construction?

 

[user 1215]

Didn't they have to do the Environmental Impact Statement before construction?

Yes, yes they did. They'll just have to settle for Entry into Service by this Summer.

 

[Brian_tampa]

In this local Orlando TV news report from earlier today, it was reported that trainsets from South Florida service are being rotated in and out of the Orlando VMF. This means that multiple trains have run along SR528 between the first instance I was told that happened in December and now. Has anyone ever seen one of these shop movements?

Also noted is that Tom Rutkowski said that training for new train crew employees takes around 3 months. He said they were training now for expected service in July. It seems Brightline is also hedging their plans for Q2 service when the PR lady said the certification process could take an unknown length of time..

I still do not see how the Orlando service can start between April and June. Too many unknowns and potential issues to delay the schedule.

Video: Brightline rolls closer to opening commuter train services between Miami and Orlando

 

[west point]

Will the bridgework on the StLuci draw bridge going to slow the start?

 

[ManganeseFrog]

In this local Orlando TV news report from earlier today, it was reported that trainsets from South Florida service are being rotated in and out of the Orlando VMF. This means that multiple trains have run along SR528 between the first instance I was told that happened in December and now. Has anyone ever seen one of these shop movements?

This is the only video I know about showing one of those equipment moves, BrightBlue 2, heading to WPB. I believe it happened on November 13th. Not sure if that's what you're looking for since the video isn't along 528. The only other move I'm aware of was BrightRed (2?) to Orlando during the early morning on Feb. 5th.

 

[ManganeseFrog]

There must have been at least one additional transfer recently. Unless I'm mistaken, #109 is back in passenger service now, but was clearly visible in the VMF shop building when orange 2 was delivered on the 18th.

 

[user 1215]

Saw GREEN lights and some MOW vehicles Eastbound along the 528 corridor this morning!

 

[user 1215]

I guess they DID hit 130 MPH today! Wish i could have seen that! On my way home from Orlando around 5:30 pm, all the signals were actually covered with black plastic bags.

 

[Qapla]

First Brightline Test Train on the Orlando Line

 

[user 1215]

I had an opportunity to visit MCO (OIA) yesterday and wandered around Terminal C to get a feel for the new terminal - both the Airports and Brightline's. I took some pics that I'll post later.

I parked in the regular tower parking lot that is situated between the Brightline & Airport People Mover (APM, or Terminal Link) and the main terminal.

My first impression is that it is huge. It is gorgeous. But it is also SUPER confusing, not intuitive, and a real hassle. I'm an experienced traveler with no bags or kids in tow and I was able to take my time to figure things out. Can't imagine international travelers whose first language isn't English (or may not know ANY), on a time crunch with suitcases and kids would be going through.

I parked on the 3rd level which is actually at a transfer level between the trains and the planes. You can park on Level 3 and walk to either.

First, the train terminal. You approach quite quickly upon entering indoors to the APM platform. Well, one of them. To get to the other side, you have to take an escalator or elevator up a level, walk across and repeat down to the platform. For now, all APMs are using the near platform, so it's not an issue, but when they start using both, it can be a pain.

To get to Brightline from Deck 3 of Parking in C, you must also go up and over. This space is HUGE but with relatively little seating. Lots of open space.

The APM from Terminal C to Terminals A&B takes almost exactly 3 minutes. Not bad! It's really great if you are going to gates 60+. To get to Gates 1-59, you have to walk the entire width of the terminal to get to those TSA queues. Terminal B (Gates 30-59) are slightly closer than Terminal A (Gates 1-29), but the TSA screening is shared so not a big deal to get to either gate APM after screening. The big issue here is if you need to go to a ticket counter for an airline using gates 30-59 in Terminal A which is the furthest point from the APM platform. This is super relevant if you plan to take Brightline to MCO and you have to check in at Breeze, Spirit (int'l), Miami Air, etc. You may want to invest in a rideable carry-on suitcase.

So now, let's about coming in on Brightline and departing out of "C". You will go up to level 5 upon leaving the Brightline platform. From there, you will walk across to the parking lot, then OUTSIDE in the parking lot (it's covered, but it's not airconditioned!). This takes you to an elevator. Elevator says go to floor 4 to take an accessible ramp to the walkway to C or to just go to 3 to walk across. Well, if you get off at 3, you'll take an escalator back up to 4, so might as well just get off at 4. IDK why they tell people to go to 3. Now, if you're coming off the APM, walk across the parking garage on 3 then go up to 4. When you get to the terminal, there is nothing on 4. You have to go to 6 for arrivals or 3 for departures.

Apparently, I'm not the only one who thinks that thinks that the transfers from the train station to terminal C is super inconvenient. I came across this article by WFTV 9 this morning about $46M MORE to make things slightly more convenient.

Ahh, bureaucracy is a wonderful thing when it's not your money to spend.