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Wikipedia

Brightline

April 07, 2023

Not to be confused with Brightline West, the similarly branded inter-city rail route between Las Vegas and Southern California.
For other uses, see Bright line (disambiguation).

Brightline (reporting mark BLFX) is an inter-city rail route between Miami and West Palm Beach, Florida that runs on track owned by Florida East Coast Railway.

Brightline
Brightline train at Fort Lauderdale station in December 2017
Overview
Service type
LocaleFlorida
First serviceJanuary 13, 2018 (2018-01-13)
Current operator(s)Florida East Coast Industries
Ridership1,290,000 (2022)
Websitegobrightline.com
Route
TerminiMiami
West Palm Beach
Orlando (planned)
Stops
  • 5 operational
  • 1 under construction
  • Multiple planned
Average journey time1 hour
Service frequencyHourly
On-board services
Class(es)
  • Premium (business class)
  • Smart (coach)
Disabled accessLevel boarding
Seating arrangements
  • 2×2 (smart)
  • 2×1 (premium)
Catering facilitiesAt-seat service
Baggage facilitiesChecked baggage available
Technical
Rolling stock
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Operating speed
  • 79 mph (130 km/h) Miami–West Palm Beach
  • 110 mph (180 km/h) West Palm Beach–Cocoa (planned)
  • 125 mph (200 km/h) Cocoa–Orlando (planned)
Track owner(s)Florida East Coast Railway
Route diagram
Legend
future expansion
future expansion
Jacksonville
(proposed)
 I-95
I-10
St Johns River
 Tampa
(planned)
I-75
 Lakeland
(proposed)
 Disney World Area
(planned)
 Convention Center
(planned)
Maintenance facility
I-95
Cocoa
(proposed)
Sebastian River
 Fort Pierce
(proposed)
St. Lucie River
 Stuart
(proposed)
Loxahatchee River
Maintenance facility
 West Palm Beach
Boca Raton
Fort Lauderdale
New River
I-595
Port Everglades Expressway
 Aventura
I-195
I-395
Dolphin Expressway
MiamiCentral
Government Center
All stations are accessible
This diagram:

Brightline is currently the only privately owned and operated intercity passenger railroad in the United States. Its development started in March 2012 as All Aboard Florida by Florida East Coast Industries, a Florida real estate developer owned by Fortress Investment Group. Construction began in November 2014 and the route opened in January 2018. An extension from West Palm Beach to Orlando International Airport is expected to open in the second quarter of 2023, with additional stops being planned.[1]

Brightline has been described as the deadliest railroad in the United States; in the two years following its launch, more than 40 people were killed by Brightline trains on tracks and at rail crossings.[2] Investigators found none of the deaths were the railroad’s fault, determining that many were suicides or drivers trying to beat the trains.[3]

Origins and history

 
Former All Aboard Florida logo

In 2012, All Aboard Florida, a wholly owned subsidiary of Florida East Coast Industries (FECI), announced plans to operate passenger rail service between Miami and Orlando.[4] The construction was projected at the time to be $1.5 billion.[5] In March 2013, All Aboard Florida applied for a $1.6 billion Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing (RRIF) loan, which was administered by the Federal Railroad Administration,[6] and in late 2014, the company applied for a $1.75 billion private activity bond allocation, with proceeds from the bond sale substantially reducing or replacing entirely the amount of the RRIF loan request.[7]

The company received a Finding of No Significant Impact from the Federal Railroad Administration in January 2013, effectively clearing way for work to begin between Miami and West Palm Beach.[8] The Final Environmental Impact Statement was released on August 4, 2015.[9] By the beginning of 2015, the company had started site work at the Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach stations, plus right of way improvements along stretches of the corridor. On November 10, 2015, All Aboard Florida announced that the service would operate under the name Brightline.[10]

Service between Miami and West Palm Beach began on May 19, 2018.[11][12]

In September 2018, Brightline acquired XpressWest, a private company that intends to connect Las Vegas with Southern California via Victorville, California. Brightline announced the intent of purchasing 38 acres of land near the Las Vegas Strip for a station and following the Interstate 15 corridor from Las Vegas to Southern California.[13]

Two key counties on the coastal route north of the West Palm Beach station have, for various reasons, been fighting the extension of the rail line through Martin and Indian River Counties in court. One of their objections is that Brightline is owned by a private corporation, so they should not be allowed to issue tax-exempt bonds as if they were a municipality. On December 24, 2018, after four years of legal battles,[14] a Federal District Judge threw out a suit by Indian River County that claimed the U.S. Department of Transportation improperly approved the bond allocation, clearing the way for construction of the new rail corridor through the Treasure Coast and Space Coast.[15][16] On October 5, 2020, the US Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal of that decision, ending Indian River County's efforts to stymie development. The county's efforts at a Supreme Court hearing were financed with over $200,000 in private donations in addition to over $4 million in County funds.[17]

In April 2019, the company secured $1.75 billion in funding for the Orlando extension and said construction would begin right away.[18][19][20]

In November 2018, it was announced that Virgin Group would become a minority investor in the railroad and would provide rights to rebrand the service as Virgin Trains USA.[21] However, in August 2020, railroad managers announced that Virgin had not provided the agreed investment money and the company would be ending its branding deal, returning to the previous Brightline brand.[22][23][24] In March 2021, Virgin sued Brightline for $251.3 million because of the broken contract.[25][26]

Construction

 
Construction on MiamiCentral in 2015
 
Map of the Brightline route

Construction began on the Miami–West Palm Beach section with the laying of new tracks and closure of the temporary surface lots in Government Center, Downtown Miami, in mid 2014.[27] Preliminary work on the Miami station, such as site preparation and demolition, began later in the year.[28] Suffolk Construction was the general contractor for the Miami station.[29] Piles were being set on the four lots of MiamiCentral in early 2015.[30]

On October 29, 2014, work on the Fort Lauderdale station began with the demolition of existing buildings on the site.[31] A groundbreaking ceremony for the West Palm Beach station was held in November 2014.[32] Moss & Associates, of Fort Lauderdale, was the general contractor for the West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale stations.[33]

In January 2015, crews started replacing track throughout the corridor.[34][35] All Aboard Florida secured leasing of easement rights alongside the Beachline from the Central Florida Expressway Authority for $1.4 million in December 2015.

Construction work on Phase 2, between West Palm Beach and Orlando, officially began in June 2019, with a groundbreaking ceremony at Orlando International Airport.[36] Preliminary work on the corridor began in September 2019, in the area of Jensen Beach and Sebastian,[37] and began path clearing for construction of the Orlando–Cocoa portion in October of that year.[38]

As of May 2019, the contractors on the project were the Hubbard Construction Company, Wharton-Smith Inc., The Middlesex Corporation, Granite, and HSR Constructors. These five contractors are responsible for the development of 170 miles of new track into the completed state-of-the-art intermodal facility located in the new South Terminal at the Orlando International Airport (MCO).[39]

In 2019, Brightline operations sent a letter to the city of Boca Raton about the possibility of adding their city as an infill station along the Florida route. Brightline proposed constructing the station and rail infrastructure while the city would cover access and zoning requirements and costs.[40] In December 2019, the former community garden next to the Boca Raton Public Library was officially chosen as a station site for the station.[41][42]

In October 2019, Miami-Dade County allocated $76 million to build a Brightline Aventura station by the Aventura Mall in Ojus, Florida, between Miami and Fort Lauderdale. At the time of the announcement, the projected opening date was October 2020.[43] Groundbreaking on the station occurred in September 2020.[44] As of February 2023, construction on the Orlando line was approximately 90% complete.[45]

Opening

Public operations between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale began Saturday, January 13, 2018.[46][47] Service between West Palm Beach and Miami began on May 19, 2018.[11][12] Boca Raton began service on December 21, 2022, while Aventura was delayed for a few days and began service on December 24, 2022.[48][49]

Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic

Brightline suspended operations on March 25, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[50] All train services were completely closed, and the company cut 250 jobs.[51] Construction north to Orlando continued, as well as plans for the stations in Aventura and Boca Raton.[52][53]

In January 2021, the company stated that service would begin again in "late 2021," contrary to their earlier estimate of the third quarter of 2021. The company says that most station and operations staff will be brought back approximately 30–60 days before service resumes. Throughout January 2021 and May 2021, the trains ran with no passengers occasionally in order to test an upgraded corridor between the West Palm Beach and Miami train stations.[51] Service resumed on November 8, 2021, between West Palm Beach and Miami, with the Orlando line approximately 70% complete.[54]

Service

 
Schematic of rapid transit and passenger rail service in the Miami metropolitan area in 2017. It is unknown when the Tri-Rail Downtown Miami Link is scheduled to be operational.

Route

The route is made up of the following stations, from north to south:

County Station Brightline
in-service date 		Time to
Miami 		Connections
Palm Beach County West Palm Beach January 13, 2018 72-80 min Palm Tran: 1, 40, 41, & The Bolt 1
Palm Trolley: Yellow Line
Tri-Rail Commuter Connector: WPB-1
Boca Raton December 21, 2022[48] 51 min
Broward County Fort Lauderdale January 13, 2018 30-33 min Broward County Transit (at Central Terminal): 1, 6, 9, 10, 11, 14, 20, 22, 30, 31, 40, 50, 60, 81, 101 (US 1 Breeze)
Sun Trolley: Downtown Link, Neighborhood Link, & NW Community Link
Tri-Rail Commuter Connector: FL-1, FL-3
Miami-Dade County Aventura December 24, 2022[49] 17 min Metrobus
Broward County Transit (at Aventura Mall): 1, 28, 101 (US 1 Breeze)
MiamiCentral May 19, 2018[11][12] – Metrorail (at Government Center): Green Line, Orange Lines, Downtown Express
Metromover (at Government Center): Omni Loop, Brickell Loop, Inner Loop
Metrobus: 2, 3, 7, 9, 11, 21, 51, 77, 93, 95, S (119), 120, 207, 208, 246, 277, 500
Broward County Transit: 109 (95 Express), 110 (595 Express)
Miami Trolley: Coral Way
Tri-Rail Downtown Miami Link (planned)

Schedule

As of January 2019, between Miami and West Palm Beach, there are 17 round trips Monday through Friday, ten on Saturdays, and nine on Sundays.[55] Though not marketed as such, select trains are operated as express services, dropping stops at Boca Raton and Aventura in order to cut travel times between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.[56]

Ridership

During the first two and a half months of introductory service between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, ridership totaled 74,780, increasing from 17,800 in January to 32,900 in March 2018.[57] The company itself announced that the ridership has been triple to what had been expected.[58] The forecast provided to bond investors calls for 240,000 passengers per month by 2020, which includes service to Miami,[59] and analyst Fitch Ratings has said that the company could break even at 56% of their ridership forecast.[58]

By the end of 2018 almost 600,000 passengers had ridden the train,[60] and the line welcomed its 1 millionth rider in August 2019.[61]

In August 2022 Brightline transported over 100,000 passengers for the first time.[62] In December 2022, Brightline served over 183,000 riders.[63]

Ridership by year

Year Ridership
2018 579,000[60]
2019 885,000[64]
2020 N/A
2021 159,474[65]
2022 1,230,494[65]

Stations

The five South Florida stations were designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in association with Zyscovich Architects.[66] Rockwell Group designed the interiors.[67] All five have adjacent parking at the rate of $5–6 per day.[68]

  • Brightline stations
  •  

    MiamiCentral station entrance

  •  

    Aventura station site prior to development, July 2020

  •  

    Fort Lauderdale station

  •  

    Boca Raton station

  •  

    West Palm Beach station

Miami

Main article: MiamiCentral

The downtown Miami station, known as MiamiCentral (not to be confused with Miami Central Station, now known as Miami Intermodal Center, near Miami International Airport), spans 9 acres (3.6 ha) located just east of Miami-Dade County Hall and includes 3 million square feet (280,000 m2) of mixed-use development with residential, office and commercial, and a retail concourse. The station connects Brightline with the Metrorail, Metromover, Metrobus and City of Miami trolley systems.[69] In the future, there will be a Tri-Rail station at MiamiCentral. This increases connections to activities and tourist destinations, including the Performing Arts Center, Bayside Market and Bayfront Park. Service to Miami began on May 19, 2018.[11][12]

Aventura

Main article: Aventura station

The Aventura station is located on West Dixie Highway west of the Aventura Mall in Ojus, Florida. The station is 34,000 sq ft (3,200 m2) on a 3 acre site. There are 240 parking spaces at the Aventura station, as well as a Miami-Dade Transit bus drop-off.[70] Complimentary shuttle service is available to and from the mall. In the future, it will include another bridge that will connect the platform to Aventura Mall, and it will serve as the terminus of planned commuter rail service.

Fort Lauderdale

Main article: Fort Lauderdale station (Brightline)

The Fort Lauderdale station is located at NW 2nd Avenue between Broward Boulevard and NW 4th Street. The four-acre station site has a 60,000 sq ft (5,600 m2) station and platform. The Brightline train service in Ft. Lauderdale connects to the Sun Trolley and Broward County Transit system.[71] Brightline also owns about three acres of land to the east of the Florida East Coast Railway corridor, where there are plans to build a transit-oriented development.[72]

Boca Raton

Main article: Boca Raton station (Brightline)

The Boca Raton station is located next to the Boca Raton Public Library. The station is 22,000 sq ft (2,000 m2) on a 1.8-acre site across from Mizner Park. The station has access to a 455-space parking garage that will also provide dedicated free parking for library patrons.

West Palm Beach

Main article: West Palm Beach station (Brightline)

The West Palm Beach station is located between Datura and Evernia Streets and to the west of Quadrille. The two-acre station site has a 60,000 sq ft (5,600 m2) station and platform that connect with the neighborhood's existing vehicular, trolley and pedestrian networks and establish links to the Tri-Rail, Palm Tran Downtown Trolley and Amtrak West Palm Beach station.[73]

Planned and proposed routes and destinations

Orlando

Main article: Orlando International Airport Intermodal Terminal

In 2017, the new Orlando International Airport Intermodal Terminal at Orlando International Airport was opened.[74] Brightline will terminate at this station once the 170-mile (270 km) Orlando Extension track is built. Trains will run up to 125 mph (201 km/h) with a travel time of approximately three hours from Orlando's airport to Miami.[75][76] The first test run of the Brightline train into Orlando station happened on May 17, 2022.[77]

The extension is expected to see its first passengers in the second quarter of 2023.[78][79]

Tampa

As of September 2019, Brightline is in negotiations with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to lease right-of-way along the Interstate 4 corridor.[80] Brightline was the only bidder to submit a proposal to construct an intercity rail line along Interstate 4, which has been designated for federally funded high-speed rail.[80] This would be utilized for an extension of the line from Orlando International Airport to Tampa.[80] Potential stops along this route are the SunRail Meadow Woods station and Lakeland.[80] The deadline for the negotiations between Central Florida Expressway Authority, FDOT, and Brightline was March 31, 2020.[81] In September 2020, the railroad entered into a memorandum of understanding with a local developer to potentially construct the terminal station in Ybor City.[82]

In November 2020, Brightline and Walt Disney World Resort announced an agreement to build a station in Disney Springs as a part of its Tampa extension. The high-speed rail corridor between Disney Springs and Orlando International Airport was projected to cost $1 billion and travel alongside Florida State Road 417. While the project has yet to secure needed funding, passenger service was planned to start by 2026.[83] Then, on May 5, 2022, Universal Orlando offered 13 acres of land near the site where Universal Epic Universe is being built for a commuter station, as well as bond guarantees. This was claimed to promote construction of an extension of Brightline that would include a brief confluence with SunRail between SunRail's Meadow Woods and Pine Castle stations, and lead through Disney eventually to Tampa. They did not mention the existing proposal to run Brightline down SR 417 to Disney Springs. But it did suggest a future SunRail service to Epic Universe, the Orange County Convention Center, and Disney Springs.[84] On June 28, 2022, Disney announced that Brightline would not run on their Walt Disney World park property; however Brightline said it would still build a station near Disney World to get riders as close as possible.[85][86]

Future expansion

As part of the initial construction for Brightline, All Aboard Florida said it was considering an extension to Jacksonville, Florida.[87]

In October 2019, Brightline announced plans to start building a station in PortMiami in 2020.[42][88] However, as of 2022, the plans for the station have been removed from Brightline's website.

Brightline has expressed interest in serving at the Miami Intermodal Center, at the facility where Amtrak plans to relocate its service, but no negotiations are currently underway, according to FDOT.[89]

Brightline has also expressed interest in adding a station on Florida's Treasure Coast and another on the Space Coast between West Palm Beach and Orlando. In August 2018, the company asked cities in the area to submit proposals for station locations. Fort Pierce, which last had passenger train service on July 31, 1968, has expressed interest.[90][91] The city of Stuart has also indicated that it will be negotiating for a potential station.[92] Brightline has indicated that Stuart is the most likely location for a Treasure Coast station, and that Cocoa would make the most sense for a Space Coast station, both because of proximity to Port Canaveral's cruise lines as well as for positioning for future expansion to Jacksonville.[93] Neither station has been committed in writing, and both are pending market studies, as completion of the line to Orlando is the top priority for Brightline.

Commuter rail

In 2020, it was revealed that Brightline was planning a commuter rail service to complement their existing service. Referred to as the Northeast Corridor,[94] trains would run between MiamiCentral and Aventura with five stations between.[94] Brightline and the Miami-Dade County Commission agreed to access fees in November 2020.[95] The estimated cost for full buildout of the line is $325 million.[94] Operations are expected to start as early as 2024.[96]

The following year, the Florida Department of Transportation and Broward County executed a memorandum of understanding to implement a passenger transportation system along the FEC corridor. Plans call for a 27-mile (43 km) commuter rail route starting at Aventura station in the south and running as far north as Deerfield Beach.[97] Service could start in 2028.[98]

Brightline West

Main article: Brightline West

On September 18, 2018, Fortress Investment Group announced that it would acquire XpressWest, a venture capital proposal to build a privately funded high-speed rail passenger train from Apple Valley, California to Las Vegas, Nevada from hotel developer Marnell Corrao Associates.[99][100][101] When Fortress subsequently entered into its partnership with Virgin Group in 2019, it was announced that the newly formed consortium will build and operate XpressWest when it opens.[102] In September 2020, Fortress Investment Group renamed the project Brightline West.

Despite funding difficulties, Brightline currently plans on constructing the 180-mile (290 km) long Brightline West track starting in 2023.[103] They plan on carrying passengers at speeds of up to 200 mph (320 km/h) for an 85-minute trip. Trains on this line will be fully electric and run alongside Interstate 15. Fortress's Wes Edens has stated that Brightline's service is modeled off of Eurostar's Paris-to-London commute. Its coach design includes white-and-blue interiors, roomy seating, and free Wi-Fi.[76]

Engineering

Train speeds

Upon full buildout of the Miami–Orlando route, trains will operate at up to 79 mph (130 km/h) between Miami and West Palm Beach, up to 110 mph (180 km/h) between West Palm Beach and Cocoa, and up to 125 mph (200 km/h) between Cocoa and the Orlando International Airport.[104] A future extension to Tampa from Orlando would, if constructed, also allow trains to operate at up to 125 mph (200 km/h).[105] It will be one of the few rail services in the United States to approach the lowest high-speed rail standard set by the International Union of Railways, 200 km/h (125 mph) for existing lines, although newly built railways are typically expected to meet the higher standard of 250 km/h (155 mph) to be considered high speed.[106][107]

The planned travel time between Miami and Orlando is 3 hours.[108] Driving between the two takes 3+1⁄2 hours using the Florida's Turnpike, and 3+3⁄4 hours using the I-95/SR 528 freeways along the planned train route via Cocoa. The flight time between MIA and MCO is one hour, not including check-in, security, and last mile transportation.

To meet the 3-hour schedule, trains will have to operate with an overall average speed of 80 mph (130 km/h), which is similar to the overall average speed of the Amtrak Acela Express operating on the Northeast Corridor between New York City and Washington, D.C.[109][110][111]

Pre-existing Miami–Cocoa Corridor upgrades

The project calls for more than $1.5 billion in upgrades to the rail corridor between Miami and Cocoa. The company is double tracking the corridor, improving signaling systems, and upgrading every grade crossing to meet the highest applicable safety standards set by FDOT and Federal Railroad Administration.[112][113] In January 2013, the Federal Railroad Administration issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Miami–Cocoa phase of the project, effectively clearing the way for work to begin.[114] Part of the corridor safety upgrades includes installing positive train control (PTC), which will enhance Brightline's ability to monitor and control train movements safely.[115]

Quiet zones

Responding to citizen concerns about increased noise from additional horns, the company stated that it will work with local communities to implement quiet zones where possible.[116] Federal law requires quiet zone requests to originate from the local authority that has jurisdiction over the roadway, not the railroad company.[117]

In August 2014, the company announced a partnership with the Broward and Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organizations to implement quiet zones between the city of Hallandale Beach and 15th Street in West Palm Beach.[118] In December 2014, the Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization approved funding to construct quiet zones between PortMiami and the northern Miami-Dade County line.[119] The quiet zones were originally planned to be in place when Brightline becomes operational between Miami and West Palm Beach by the end of 2017. Brightline started service on January 11, 2018, but various delays in constructing the quiet zones have stretched their in-service date to sometime in March.[120]

On May 14, 2018, quiet zones went into effect in West Palm Beach, in Lake Worth on May 21 and in Boca Raton on May 30. The "no train horn" areas apply to all trains, freight and passenger.[121] Quiet Zones remove the legal duty of a train engineer to sound the horn. Train engineers do still use the horn in quiet zones for emergency situations (such as a trespasser fouling the tracks).[122]

Bridges

The FEC rail corridor includes a number of fixed-span bridges that will be replaced as part of the project. Most do not require United States Coast Guard (USCG) permitting as they do not span significant navigable waterways and clearances will not change. Twelve other bridges—St. Johns River, Eau Gallie River, St. Sebastian River, Crane Creek, Turkey Creek, West Palm Beach Canal, Boynton Canal, Middle River (both the North and South Fork), Oleta River, Arch Creek and Hillsboro Canal—will require permitting by the USCG. In addition, the project calls for significant investment and upgrades to three movable bridges: St. Lucie, Loxahatchee, and New River. These improvements will ensure that bridge mechanical systems for raising and lowering the bridge spans are either fully upgraded or replaced. The company has stated that, prior to it becoming operational, it will start to regularly notify mariners of scheduled bridge closings via the internet, smart phone application and countdown signage on the bridges to enable mariners to have real-time information to decrease wait times at each bridge. Also, the company will station a bridge tender at the New River bridge.[123]

Deaths

There have been 60 deaths since Brightline began test runs in 2017,[124] giving it the worst per-mile fatality rate in the nation, according to an ongoing Associated Press analysis that began in 2019.[125] In December 2019, the AP produced a story based on FRA data that Brightline had the worst per-mile death rate of the nation's 821 railroads.[126]

None of Brightline's deaths were caused by crew error or faulty equipment, but were all related to suicides or pedestrians and drivers trying to cross and beat the trains, according to law enforcement and federal reports.[127][128]

Cocoa–Orlando

The proposed line between Cocoa and Orlando is the only segment that does not have existing track or right-of-way owned by FEC. Originally, the Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) believed it could accommodate building new tracks for the project within the BeachLine Expressway's 300-foot (91 m) wide right-of-way. This segment of the proposed line will operate at speeds of up to 125 mph (201 km/h).[129][130]

CFX began negotiations with Deseret Ranch, which owns the land just south of the BeachLine, to purchase additional land in order to widen the right-of-way. According to a pact made on July 16, 2013, CFX tentatively agreed to pay $12 million for an extra 200 ft (61 m) along the 22-mile (35 km) BeachLine corridor between Cocoa and Orlando International Airport.[131] In early October 2013, CFX and All Aboard Florida reached a formal purchase agreement for the land required for the right-of-way. Although construction was slated to originally begin in early 2015, construction of the segment started on May 22, 2019.[132][133]

Also in October 2013, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) board approved development of a station and maintenance facility on Orlando International Airport property, as well as an easement to build track between the station and the mainline to the coast.[134]

For the initial opening of the line it will be single track for most of the route, however all the bridges and infrastructure is designed for double track thus saving effort when upgrading.[135]

Maintenance

Brightline has two maintenance facilities. One is a Running Repair Facility, located north of the West Palm Beach station at 601 15th Street, designed for maintenance and minor repair work that does not require the train to be removed from service. The facility, named "workshop b", includes a maintenance pit for accessing the underside of the trains and can handle up to four 10-car train sets.

More extensive maintenance and repair is accomplished at a second larger facility known as the Vehicle Maintenance Facility near the Orlando International Airport.[136]

Technical

Rolling stock

All Aboard Florida ordered five Siemens trainsets in 2014. Each Brightline trainset initially consisted of four passenger coaches, with a Siemens Charger SCB-40 diesel-electric locomotive on each end.[137][138] The coaches, with interiors designed by the LAB at Rockwell Group,[139] feature ergonomic seating, Wi-Fi, and level boarding, and meet ADA standards. Each trainset holds 248 passengers.[11] Working with All Aboard Florida, the LAB also conceived the Brightline name, brand platform, and visual identity.[140] The entire trainset, including passenger cars, were manufactured by Siemens in its solar-powered plant in Florin, California. Once the route to Orlando is in operation, the trainsets will be expanded to seven coaches, and five more complete trainsets will be purchased.[141][142] The first of five trainsets departed the Siemens factory on December 8, 2016,[143] and arrived in West Palm Beach on December 14.[144] The fifth trainset arrived in South Florida in October 2017.[145]

The trains offers two classes of service, with one "Premium" coach and three "Smart" coaches on each trainset. "Premium" offers 2x1 and four-to-a-table seating with 50 21-inch (530 mm)-wide seats per car and complimentary snacks and beverages, while the slightly less expensive "Smart" fare coaches seat 66 with narrower 19-inch (480 mm)-wide seats, with snacks and beverages available for purchase.[146][147] Each trainset is able to hold 248 passengers.[11]

Photo Model Year Total Power Weight
 
 Siemens Charger SCB-40 locomotives 2017 10 units[138] 4,000 hp (3,000 kW)[148] 264,556 lb (120,001 kg)[149]
2023 11 units[150]
Siemens Venture trainsets 2017 5 four-car trainsets[138] unpowered 111,999 lb (50,802 kg) per coach[151]
2023 5 four-car trainsets[150]
2025 5 four-car trainsets in production[152]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Brightline Plans to Commence Orlando Operations in Q2".
  2. ^ "New higher-speed Florida train has highest US death rate". Associated Press.
  3. ^ "After 57 deaths, Brightline in Florida pleads with people to stop dangerous crossings".
  4. ^ "All Aboard Florida plan announced". Railway Gazette. March 28, 2012. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  5. ^ "Quiet zones plans for FEC tracks get boost, as All Aboard Florida picks up costs for some safety upgrades". Palm Beach Post. September 19, 2013.
  6. ^ "All Aboard Florida seeks federal loan". Orlando Sentinel. March 18, 2013. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
  7. ^ "All Aboard Florida shocker: Rail seeks private financing". Palm Beach Post. October 8, 2014.
  8. ^ "High-speed rail service heads south". Florida Today. Associated Press. July 9, 2014.
  9. ^ "All Aboard Florida Final Environmental Impact Statement". Federal Railroad Administration. August 4, 2015.
  10. ^ "All Aboard Florida unveils branding of its rail service". The Real Deal Miami. November 9, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  11. ^ a b c d e f Roustan, Wayne K. (May 19, 2018). "All aboard as Brightline launches fast train service to Miami". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  12. ^ a b c d Jacoby, Kenny (May 19, 2018). "Brightline's inaugural West Palm-to-Miami trip draws crowd, celebration". Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  13. ^ (Press release). Brightline. September 18, 2018. Archived from the original on September 18, 2018. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  14. ^ "Brightline spending reaches $7.2 million in Martin, Indian River counties, but for what?". TCPalm (Treasure Coast Newspapers). Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  15. ^ Rosenberg, Arnie (December 25, 2018). "Judge tosses out Indian River County's lawsuit against All Aboard Florida". TCPalm.
  16. ^ "Florida's Brightline clears legal hurdle, gets financing extension". Bond Buyer. December 26, 2018.
  17. ^ Soloman, Joshua (October 5, 2020). "U.S. Supreme Court won't hear Indian River County's appeal of Brightline lawsuit". TCPalm.
  18. ^ Forester, Thomas (April 4, 2019). "Brightline secures funding to Orlando, plans to open Walt Disney World station". WPEC.
  19. ^ Lyons, David (April 4, 2019). "Virgin Trains lines up funding for expansion to Orlando". Sun Sentinel.
  20. ^ "Virgin Trains finally set to launch construction of West Palm Beach-to-Orlando link". miamiherald.
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Further reading

  • "Surface Transportation Facility Revenue Bonds (Brightline Florida Passenger Rail Project), (Series 2019B Green Bonds)" (PDF). Florida Development Finance Corporation. December 11, 2020. (PDF) from the original on January 12, 2021.

External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Brightline.

Route map:

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  • Official website  
  • All Aboard Florida – Miami to Orlando Passenger Rail Service – Federal Railroad Administration

April 07, 2023
brightline, confused, with, west, similarly, branded, inter, city, rail, route, between, vegas, southern, california, other, uses, bright, line, disambiguation, reporting, mark, blfx, inter, city, rail, route, between, miami, west, palm, beach, florida, that, . Not to be confused with Brightline West the similarly branded inter city rail route between Las Vegas and Southern California For other uses see Bright line disambiguation Brightline reporting mark BLFX is an inter city rail route between Miami and West Palm Beach Florida that runs on track owned by Florida East Coast Railway BrightlineBrightline train at Fort Lauderdale station in December 2017OverviewService typeInter city rail Higher speed rail after 2023 LocaleFloridaFirst serviceJanuary 13 2018 2018 01 13 Current operator s Florida East Coast IndustriesRidership1 290 000 2022 Websitegobrightline comRouteTerminiMiamiWest Palm BeachOrlando planned Stops5 operational 1 under construction Multiple plannedAverage journey time1 hourService frequencyHourlyOn board servicesClass es Premium business class Smart coach Disabled accessLevel boardingSeating arrangements2 2 smart 2 1 premium Catering facilitiesAt seat serviceBaggage facilitiesChecked baggage availableTechnicalRolling stockSiemens Charger SCB 40 locomotives Siemens Venture trainsetsTrack gauge4 ft 8 1 2 in 1 435 mm standard gaugeOperating speed79 mph 130 km h Miami West Palm Beach 110 mph 180 km h West Palm Beach Cocoa planned 125 mph 200 km h Cocoa Orlando planned Track owner s Florida East Coast RailwayRoute diagramLegendfuture expansionfuture expansionJacksonville proposed I 95I 10St Johns RiverTampa planned I 75Lakeland proposed Disney World Area planned Convention Center planned Maintenance facilityOrlando Int l Airport opens 2023 I 95Cocoa proposed Sebastian RiverFort Pierce proposed St Lucie RiverStuart proposed Loxahatchee RiverMaintenance facilityWest Palm BeachBoca RatonFort LauderdaleNew RiverI 595Port Everglades ExpresswayAventuraI 195I 395Dolphin ExpresswayMetrorailto Airport or PalmettoMetromoverto School BoardMiamiCentralGovernment CenterMetromoverto Financial DistrictMetrorailto Dadeland SouthAll stations are accessibleThis diagram viewtalkedit Brightline is currently the only privately owned and operated intercity passenger railroad in the United States Its development started in March 2012 as All Aboard Florida by Florida East Coast Industries a Florida real estate developer owned by Fortress Investment Group Construction began in November 2014 and the route opened in January 2018 An extension from West Palm Beach to Orlando International Airport is expected to open in the second quarter of 2023 with additional stops being planned 1 Brightline has been described as the deadliest railroad in the United States in the two years following its launch more than 40 people were killed by Brightline trains on tracks and at rail crossings 2 Investigators found none of the deaths were the railroad s fault determining that many were suicides or drivers trying to beat the trains 3 Contents 1 Origins and history 1 1 Construction 1 2 Opening 1 3 Effect of the COVID 19 pandemic 2 Service 2 1 Route 2 2 Schedule 2 3 Ridership 2 3 1 Ridership by year 3 Stations 3 1 Miami 3 2 Aventura 3 3 Fort Lauderdale 3 4 Boca Raton 3 5 West Palm Beach 4 Planned and proposed routes and destinations 4 1 Orlando 4 2 Tampa 4 3 Future expansion 5 Brightline West 6 Engineering 6 1 Train speeds 6 2 Pre existing Miami Cocoa Corridor upgrades 6 2 1 Quiet zones 6 2 2 Bridges 6 3 Deaths 6 4 Cocoa Orlando 6 5 Maintenance 7 Technical 7 1 Rolling stock 8 See also 9 References 10 Further reading 11 External linksOrigins and history Edit Former All Aboard Florida logo In 2012 All Aboard Florida a wholly owned subsidiary of Florida East Coast Industries FECI announced plans to operate passenger rail service between Miami and Orlando 4 The construction was projected at the time to be 1 5 billion 5 In March 2013 All Aboard Florida applied for a 1 6 billion Railroad Rehabilitation amp Improvement Financing RRIF loan which was administered by the Federal Railroad Administration 6 and in late 2014 the company applied for a 1 75 billion private activity bond allocation with proceeds from the bond sale substantially reducing or replacing entirely the amount of the RRIF loan request 7 The company received a Finding of No Significant Impact from the Federal Railroad Administration in January 2013 effectively clearing way for work to begin between Miami and West Palm Beach 8 The Final Environmental Impact Statement was released on August 4 2015 9 By the beginning of 2015 the company had started site work at the Miami Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach stations plus right of way improvements along stretches of the corridor On November 10 2015 All Aboard Florida announced that the service would operate under the name Brightline 10 Service between Miami and West Palm Beach began on May 19 2018 11 12 In September 2018 Brightline acquired XpressWest a private company that intends to connect Las Vegas with Southern California via Victorville California Brightline announced the intent of purchasing 38 acres of land near the Las Vegas Strip for a station and following the Interstate 15 corridor from Las Vegas to Southern California 13 Two key counties on the coastal route north of the West Palm Beach station have for various reasons been fighting the extension of the rail line through Martin and Indian River Counties in court One of their objections is that Brightline is owned by a private corporation so they should not be allowed to issue tax exempt bonds as if they were a municipality On December 24 2018 after four years of legal battles 14 a Federal District Judge threw out a suit by Indian River County that claimed the U S Department of Transportation improperly approved the bond allocation clearing the way for construction of the new rail corridor through the Treasure Coast and Space Coast 15 16 On October 5 2020 the US Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal of that decision ending Indian River County s efforts to stymie development The county s efforts at a Supreme Court hearing were financed with over 200 000 in private donations in addition to over 4 million in County funds 17 In April 2019 the company secured 1 75 billion in funding for the Orlando extension and said construction would begin right away 18 19 20 In November 2018 it was announced that Virgin Group would become a minority investor in the railroad and would provide rights to rebrand the service as Virgin Trains USA 21 However in August 2020 railroad managers announced that Virgin had not provided the agreed investment money and the company would be ending its branding deal returning to the previous Brightline brand 22 23 24 In March 2021 Virgin sued Brightline for 251 3 million because of the broken contract 25 26 Construction Edit Construction on MiamiCentral in 2015 Map of the Brightline route Construction began on the Miami West Palm Beach section with the laying of new tracks and closure of the temporary surface lots in Government Center Downtown Miami in mid 2014 27 Preliminary work on the Miami station such as site preparation and demolition began later in the year 28 Suffolk Construction was the general contractor for the Miami station 29 Piles were being set on the four lots of MiamiCentral in early 2015 30 On October 29 2014 work on the Fort Lauderdale station began with the demolition of existing buildings on the site 31 A groundbreaking ceremony for the West Palm Beach station was held in November 2014 32 Moss amp Associates of Fort Lauderdale was the general contractor for the West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale stations 33 In January 2015 crews started replacing track throughout the corridor 34 35 All Aboard Florida secured leasing of easement rights alongside the Beachline from the Central Florida Expressway Authority for 1 4 million in December 2015 Construction work on Phase 2 between West Palm Beach and Orlando officially began in June 2019 with a groundbreaking ceremony at Orlando International Airport 36 Preliminary work on the corridor began in September 2019 in the area of Jensen Beach and Sebastian 37 and began path clearing for construction of the Orlando Cocoa portion in October of that year 38 As of May 2019 update the contractors on the project were the Hubbard Construction Company Wharton Smith Inc The Middlesex Corporation Granite and HSR Constructors These five contractors are responsible for the development of 170 miles of new track into the completed state of the art intermodal facility located in the new South Terminal at the Orlando International Airport MCO 39 In 2019 Brightline operations sent a letter to the city of Boca Raton about the possibility of adding their city as an infill station along the Florida route Brightline proposed constructing the station and rail infrastructure while the city would cover access and zoning requirements and costs 40 In December 2019 the former community garden next to the Boca Raton Public Library was officially chosen as a station site for the station 41 42 In October 2019 Miami Dade County allocated 76 million to build a Brightline Aventura station by the Aventura Mall in Ojus Florida between Miami and Fort Lauderdale At the time of the announcement the projected opening date was October 2020 43 Groundbreaking on the station occurred in September 2020 44 As of February 2023 construction on the Orlando line was approximately 90 complete 45 Opening Edit Public operations between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale began Saturday January 13 2018 46 47 Service between West Palm Beach and Miami began on May 19 2018 11 12 Boca Raton began service on December 21 2022 while Aventura was delayed for a few days and began service on December 24 2022 48 49 Effect of the COVID 19 pandemic Edit Brightline suspended operations on March 25 2020 due to the COVID 19 pandemic 50 All train services were completely closed and the company cut 250 jobs 51 Construction north to Orlando continued as well as plans for the stations in Aventura and Boca Raton 52 53 In January 2021 the company stated that service would begin again in late 2021 contrary to their earlier estimate of the third quarter of 2021 The company says that most station and operations staff will be brought back approximately 30 60 days before service resumes Throughout January 2021 and May 2021 the trains ran with no passengers occasionally in order to test an upgraded corridor between the West Palm Beach and Miami train stations 51 Service resumed on November 8 2021 between West Palm Beach and Miami with the Orlando line approximately 70 complete 54 Service Edit Schematic of rapid transit and passenger rail service in the Miami metropolitan area in 2017 It is unknown when the Tri Rail Downtown Miami Link is scheduled to be operational Route Edit The route is made up of the following stations from north to south County Station Brightline in service date Time toMiami ConnectionsPalm Beach County West Palm Beach January 13 2018 72 80 min Palm Tran 1 40 41 amp The Bolt 1Palm Trolley Yellow LineTri Rail Commuter Connector WPB 1Boca Raton December 21 2022 48 51 minBroward County Fort Lauderdale January 13 2018 30 33 min Broward County Transit at Central Terminal 1 6 9 10 11 14 20 22 30 31 40 50 60 81 101 US 1 Breeze Sun Trolley Downtown Link Neighborhood Link amp NW Community Link Tri Rail Commuter Connector FL 1 FL 3Miami Dade County Aventura December 24 2022 49 17 min Metrobus Broward County Transit at Aventura Mall 1 28 101 US 1 Breeze MiamiCentral May 19 2018 11 12 Metrorail at Government Center Green Line Orange Lines Downtown ExpressMetromover at Government Center Omni Loop Brickell Loop Inner LoopMetrobus 2 3 7 9 11 21 51 77 93 95 S 119 120 207 208 246 277 500Broward County Transit 109 95 Express 110 595 Express Miami Trolley Coral WayTri Rail Downtown Miami Link planned Schedule Edit As of January 2019 update between Miami and West Palm Beach there are 17 round trips Monday through Friday ten on Saturdays and nine on Sundays 55 Though not marketed as such select trains are operated as express services dropping stops at Boca Raton and Aventura in order to cut travel times between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach 56 Ridership Edit During the first two and a half months of introductory service between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale ridership totaled 74 780 increasing from 17 800 in January to 32 900 in March 2018 57 The company itself announced that the ridership has been triple to what had been expected 58 The forecast provided to bond investors calls for 240 000 passengers per month by 2020 which includes service to Miami 59 and analyst Fitch Ratings has said that the company could break even at 56 of their ridership forecast 58 By the end of 2018 almost 600 000 passengers had ridden the train 60 and the line welcomed its 1 millionth rider in August 2019 61 In August 2022 Brightline transported over 100 000 passengers for the first time 62 In December 2022 Brightline served over 183 000 riders 63 Ridership by year Edit Year Ridership2018 579 000 60 2019 885 000 64 2020 N A2021 159 474 65 2022 1 230 494 65 Stations EditThe five South Florida stations were designed by Skidmore Owings amp Merrill in association with Zyscovich Architects 66 Rockwell Group designed the interiors 67 All five have adjacent parking at the rate of 5 6 per day 68 Brightline stations MiamiCentral station entrance Aventura station site prior to development July 2020 Fort Lauderdale station Boca Raton station West Palm Beach stationMiami Edit Main article MiamiCentralThe downtown Miami station known as MiamiCentral not to be confused with Miami Central Station now known as Miami Intermodal Center near Miami International Airport spans 9 acres 3 6 ha located just east of Miami Dade County Hall and includes 3 million square feet 280 000 m2 of mixed use development with residential office and commercial and a retail concourse The station connects Brightline with the Metrorail Metromover Metrobus and City of Miami trolley systems 69 In the future there will be a Tri Rail station at MiamiCentral This increases connections to activities and tourist destinations including the Performing Arts Center Bayside Market and Bayfront Park Service to Miami began on May 19 2018 11 12 Aventura Edit Main article Aventura station The Aventura station is located on West Dixie Highway west of the Aventura Mall in Ojus Florida The station is 34 000 sq ft 3 200 m2 on a 3 acre site There are 240 parking spaces at the Aventura station as well as a Miami Dade Transit bus drop off 70 Complimentary shuttle service is available to and from the mall In the future it will include another bridge that will connect the platform to Aventura Mall and it will serve as the terminus of planned commuter rail service Fort Lauderdale Edit Main article Fort Lauderdale station Brightline The Fort Lauderdale station is located at NW 2nd Avenue between Broward Boulevard and NW 4th Street The four acre station site has a 60 000 sq ft 5 600 m2 station and platform The Brightline train service in Ft Lauderdale connects to the Sun Trolley and Broward County Transit system 71 Brightline also owns about three acres of land to the east of the Florida East Coast Railway corridor where there are plans to build a transit oriented development 72 Boca Raton Edit Main article Boca Raton station Brightline The Boca Raton station is located next to the Boca Raton Public Library The station is 22 000 sq ft 2 000 m2 on a 1 8 acre site across from Mizner Park The station has access to a 455 space parking garage that will also provide dedicated free parking for library patrons West Palm Beach Edit Main article West Palm Beach station Brightline The West Palm Beach station is located between Datura and Evernia Streets and to the west of Quadrille The two acre station site has a 60 000 sq ft 5 600 m2 station and platform that connect with the neighborhood s existing vehicular trolley and pedestrian networks and establish links to the Tri Rail Palm Tran Downtown Trolley and Amtrak West Palm Beach station 73 Planned and proposed routes and destinations EditOrlando Edit Main article Orlando International Airport Intermodal Terminal In 2017 the new Orlando International Airport Intermodal Terminal at Orlando International Airport was opened 74 Brightline will terminate at this station once the 170 mile 270 km Orlando Extension track is built Trains will run up to 125 mph 201 km h with a travel time of approximately three hours from Orlando s airport to Miami 75 76 The first test run of the Brightline train into Orlando station happened on May 17 2022 77 The extension is expected to see its first passengers in the second quarter of 2023 78 79 Tampa Edit As of September 2019 update Brightline is in negotiations with the Florida Department of Transportation FDOT to lease right of way along the Interstate 4 corridor 80 Brightline was the only bidder to submit a proposal to construct an intercity rail line along Interstate 4 which has been designated for federally funded high speed rail 80 This would be utilized for an extension of the line from Orlando International Airport to Tampa 80 Potential stops along this route are the SunRail Meadow Woods station and Lakeland 80 The deadline for the negotiations between Central Florida Expressway Authority FDOT and Brightline was March 31 2020 81 In September 2020 the railroad entered into a memorandum of understanding with a local developer to potentially construct the terminal station in Ybor City 82 In November 2020 Brightline and Walt Disney World Resort announced an agreement to build a station in Disney Springs as a part of its Tampa extension The high speed rail corridor between Disney Springs and Orlando International Airport was projected to cost 1 billion and travel alongside Florida State Road 417 While the project has yet to secure needed funding passenger service was planned to start by 2026 83 Then on May 5 2022 Universal Orlando offered 13 acres of land near the site where Universal Epic Universe is being built for a commuter station as well as bond guarantees This was claimed to promote construction of an extension of Brightline that would include a brief confluence with SunRail between SunRail s Meadow Woods and Pine Castle stations and lead through Disney eventually to Tampa They did not mention the existing proposal to run Brightline down SR 417 to Disney Springs But it did suggest a future SunRail service to Epic Universe the Orange County Convention Center and Disney Springs 84 On June 28 2022 Disney announced that Brightline would not run on their Walt Disney World park property however Brightline said it would still build a station near Disney World to get riders as close as possible 85 86 Future expansion Edit As part of the initial construction for Brightline All Aboard Florida said it was considering an extension to Jacksonville Florida 87 In October 2019 Brightline announced plans to start building a station in PortMiami in 2020 42 88 However as of 2022 the plans for the station have been removed from Brightline s website Brightline has expressed interest in serving at the Miami Intermodal Center at the facility where Amtrak plans to relocate its service but no negotiations are currently underway according to FDOT 89 Brightline has also expressed interest in adding a station on Florida s Treasure Coast and another on the Space Coast between West Palm Beach and Orlando In August 2018 the company asked cities in the area to submit proposals for station locations Fort Pierce which last had passenger train service on July 31 1968 has expressed interest 90 91 The city of Stuart has also indicated that it will be negotiating for a potential station 92 Brightline has indicated that Stuart is the most likely location for a Treasure Coast station and that Cocoa would make the most sense for a Space Coast station both because of proximity to Port Canaveral s cruise lines as well as for positioning for future expansion to Jacksonville 93 Neither station has been committed in writing and both are pending market studies as completion of the line to Orlando is the top priority for Brightline Commuter railvteBroward Coastal Rail LinkLegend Brightlineto Orlando SW 2nd St Hillsboro Blvd MLK Hammondville Rd NE 6th St NE 34th St NE 38th St Downtown Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale Hollywood Int l Tyler St Taylor St Broward CountyMiami Dade County Aventura Brightline amp Miami commuter railto Miami All stations are accessiblevteNortheast CorridorLegend Brightlineto Orlando Aventura FIU Biscayne Bay Campus North Miami El Portal Tri Rail planned Design District I 195 Wynwood I 395Dolphin Expressway Metrorailto Airport or Palmetto Metromoverto School Board MiamiCentral Government Center Metromoverto Financial District Metrorailto Dadeland South All stations are accessibleIn 2020 it was revealed that Brightline was planning a commuter rail service to complement their existing service Referred to as the Northeast Corridor 94 trains would run between MiamiCentral and Aventura with five stations between 94 Brightline and the Miami Dade County Commission agreed to access fees in November 2020 95 The estimated cost for full buildout of the line is 325 million 94 Operations are expected to start as early as 2024 96 The following year the Florida Department of Transportation and Broward County executed a memorandum of understanding to implement a passenger transportation system along the FEC corridor Plans call for a 27 mile 43 km commuter rail route starting at Aventura station in the south and running as far north as Deerfield Beach 97 Service could start in 2028 98 Brightline West EditMain article Brightline West On September 18 2018 Fortress Investment Group announced that it would acquire XpressWest a venture capital proposal to build a privately funded high speed rail passenger train from Apple Valley California to Las Vegas Nevada from hotel developer Marnell Corrao Associates 99 100 101 When Fortress subsequently entered into its partnership with Virgin Group in 2019 it was announced that the newly formed consortium will build and operate XpressWest when it opens 102 In September 2020 Fortress Investment Group renamed the project Brightline West Despite funding difficulties Brightline currently plans on constructing the 180 mile 290 km long Brightline West track starting in 2023 103 They plan on carrying passengers at speeds of up to 200 mph 320 km h for an 85 minute trip Trains on this line will be fully electric and run alongside Interstate 15 Fortress s Wes Edens has stated that Brightline s service is modeled off of Eurostar s Paris to London commute Its coach design includes white and blue interiors roomy seating and free Wi Fi 76 Engineering EditTrain speeds Edit Upon full buildout of the Miami Orlando route trains will operate at up to 79 mph 130 km h between Miami and West Palm Beach up to 110 mph 180 km h between West Palm Beach and Cocoa and up to 125 mph 200 km h between Cocoa and the Orlando International Airport 104 A future extension to Tampa from Orlando would if constructed also allow trains to operate at up to 125 mph 200 km h 105 It will be one of the few rail services in the United States to approach the lowest high speed rail standard set by the International Union of Railways 200 km h 125 mph for existing lines although newly built railways are typically expected to meet the higher standard of 250 km h 155 mph to be considered high speed 106 107 The planned travel time between Miami and Orlando is 3 hours 108 Driving between the two takes 3 1 2 hours using the Florida s Turnpike and 3 3 4 hours using the I 95 SR 528 freeways along the planned train route via Cocoa The flight time between MIA and MCO is one hour not including check in security and last mile transportation To meet the 3 hour schedule trains will have to operate with an overall average speed of 80 mph 130 km h which is similar to the overall average speed of the Amtrak Acela Express operating on the Northeast Corridor between New York City and Washington D C 109 110 111 Pre existing Miami Cocoa Corridor upgrades Edit The project calls for more than 1 5 billion in upgrades to the rail corridor between Miami and Cocoa The company is double tracking the corridor improving signaling systems and upgrading every grade crossing to meet the highest applicable safety standards set by FDOT and Federal Railroad Administration 112 113 In January 2013 the Federal Railroad Administration issued a Finding of No Significant Impact FONSI for the Miami Cocoa phase of the project effectively clearing the way for work to begin 114 Part of the corridor safety upgrades includes installing positive train control PTC which will enhance Brightline s ability to monitor and control train movements safely 115 Quiet zones Edit Responding to citizen concerns about increased noise from additional horns the company stated that it will work with local communities to implement quiet zones where possible 116 Federal law requires quiet zone requests to originate from the local authority that has jurisdiction over the roadway not the railroad company 117 In August 2014 the company announced a partnership with the Broward and Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organizations to implement quiet zones between the city of Hallandale Beach and 15th Street in West Palm Beach 118 In December 2014 the Miami Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization approved funding to construct quiet zones between PortMiami and the northern Miami Dade County line 119 The quiet zones were originally planned to be in place when Brightline becomes operational between Miami and West Palm Beach by the end of 2017 Brightline started service on January 11 2018 but various delays in constructing the quiet zones have stretched their in service date to sometime in March 120 On May 14 2018 quiet zones went into effect in West Palm Beach in Lake Worth on May 21 and in Boca Raton on May 30 The no train horn areas apply to all trains freight and passenger 121 Quiet Zones remove the legal duty of a train engineer to sound the horn Train engineers do still use the horn in quiet zones for emergency situations such as a trespasser fouling the tracks 122 Bridges Edit The FEC rail corridor includes a number of fixed span bridges that will be replaced as part of the project Most do not require United States Coast Guard USCG permitting as they do not span significant navigable waterways and clearances will not change Twelve other bridges St Johns River Eau Gallie River St Sebastian River Crane Creek Turkey Creek West Palm Beach Canal Boynton Canal Middle River both the North and South Fork Oleta River Arch Creek and Hillsboro Canal will require permitting by the USCG In addition the project calls for significant investment and upgrades to three movable bridges St Lucie Loxahatchee and New River These improvements will ensure that bridge mechanical systems for raising and lowering the bridge spans are either fully upgraded or replaced The company has stated that prior to it becoming operational it will start to regularly notify mariners of scheduled bridge closings via the internet smart phone application and countdown signage on the bridges to enable mariners to have real time information to decrease wait times at each bridge Also the company will station a bridge tender at the New River bridge 123 Deaths Edit There have been 60 deaths since Brightline began test runs in 2017 124 giving it the worst per mile fatality rate in the nation according to an ongoing Associated Press analysis that began in 2019 125 In December 2019 the AP produced a story based on FRA data that Brightline had the worst per mile death rate of the nation s 821 railroads 126 None of Brightline s deaths were caused by crew error or faulty equipment but were all related to suicides or pedestrians and drivers trying to cross and beat the trains according to law enforcement and federal reports 127 128 Cocoa Orlando Edit The proposed line between Cocoa and Orlando is the only segment that does not have existing track or right of way owned by FEC Originally the Central Florida Expressway Authority CFX believed it could accommodate building new tracks for the project within the BeachLine Expressway s 300 foot 91 m wide right of way This segment of the proposed line will operate at speeds of up to 125 mph 201 km h 129 130 CFX began negotiations with Deseret Ranch which owns the land just south of the BeachLine to purchase additional land in order to widen the right of way According to a pact made on July 16 2013 CFX tentatively agreed to pay 12 million for an extra 200 ft 61 m along the 22 mile 35 km BeachLine corridor between Cocoa and Orlando International Airport 131 In early October 2013 CFX and All Aboard Florida reached a formal purchase agreement for the land required for the right of way Although construction was slated to originally begin in early 2015 construction of the segment started on May 22 2019 132 133 Also in October 2013 the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority GOAA board approved development of a station and maintenance facility on Orlando International Airport property as well as an easement to build track between the station and the mainline to the coast 134 For the initial opening of the line it will be single track for most of the route however all the bridges and infrastructure is designed for double track thus saving effort when upgrading 135 Maintenance Edit Brightline has two maintenance facilities One is a Running Repair Facility located north of the West Palm Beach station at 601 15th Street designed for maintenance and minor repair work that does not require the train to be removed from service The facility named workshop b includes a maintenance pit for accessing the underside of the trains and can handle up to four 10 car train sets More extensive maintenance and repair is accomplished at a second larger facility known as the Vehicle Maintenance Facility near the Orlando International Airport 136 Technical EditRolling stock Edit All Aboard Florida ordered five Siemens trainsets in 2014 Each Brightline trainset initially consisted of four passenger coaches with a Siemens Charger SCB 40 diesel electric locomotive on each end 137 138 The coaches with interiors designed by the LAB at Rockwell Group 139 feature ergonomic seating Wi Fi and level boarding and meet ADA standards Each trainset holds 248 passengers 11 Working with All Aboard Florida the LAB also conceived the Brightline name brand platform and visual identity 140 The entire trainset including passenger cars were manufactured by Siemens in its solar powered plant in Florin California Once the route to Orlando is in operation the trainsets will be expanded to seven coaches and five more complete trainsets will be purchased 141 142 The first of five trainsets departed the Siemens factory on December 8 2016 143 and arrived in West Palm Beach on December 14 144 The fifth trainset arrived in South Florida in October 2017 145 The trains offers two classes of service with one Premium coach and three Smart coaches on each trainset Premium offers 2x1 and four to a table seating with 50 21 inch 530 mm wide seats per car and complimentary snacks and beverages while the slightly less expensive Smart fare coaches seat 66 with narrower 19 inch 480 mm wide seats with snacks and beverages available for purchase 146 147 Each trainset is able to hold 248 passengers 11 Photo Model Year Total Power Weight Siemens Charger SCB 40 locomotives 2017 10 units 138 4 000 hp 3 000 kW 148 264 556 lb 120 001 kg 149 2023 11 units 150 Siemens Venture trainsets 2017 5 four car trainsets 138 unpowered 111 999 lb 50 802 kg per coach 151 2023 5 four car trainsets 150 2025 5 four car trainsets in production 152 See also Edit Trains portal Florida portalTransportation in Florida Transportation in South Florida Florida high speed railReferences Edit Brightline Plans to Commence Orlando Operations in Q2 New higher speed Florida train has highest US death rate Associated Press After 57 deaths Brightline in Florida pleads with people to stop dangerous crossings All Aboard Florida plan announced Railway Gazette March 28 2012 Retrieved April 8 2018 Quiet zones plans for FEC tracks get boost as All Aboard Florida picks up costs for some safety upgrades Palm Beach Post September 19 2013 All Aboard Florida seeks federal loan Orlando Sentinel March 18 2013 Retrieved March 23 2013 All Aboard Florida shocker Rail seeks private financing Palm Beach Post October 8 2014 High speed rail service heads south Florida Today Associated Press July 9 2014 All Aboard Florida Final Environmental Impact Statement Federal Railroad Administration August 4 2015 All Aboard Florida unveils branding of its rail service The Real Deal Miami November 9 2015 Retrieved November 10 2015 a b c d e f Roustan Wayne K May 19 2018 All aboard as Brightline launches fast train service to Miami Sun Sentinel Retrieved May 20 2018 a b c d Jacoby Kenny May 19 2018 Brightline s inaugural West Palm to Miami trip draws crowd celebration Retrieved May 20 2018 Brightline to Build Express Intercity Passenger Rail Connecting Southern California and Las Vegas Press release Brightline September 18 2018 Archived from the original on September 18 2018 Retrieved September 18 2018 Brightline spending reaches 7 2 million in Martin Indian River counties but for what TCPalm Treasure Coast Newspapers Retrieved November 12 2018 Rosenberg Arnie December 25 2018 Judge tosses out Indian River County s lawsuit against All Aboard Florida TCPalm Florida s Brightline clears legal hurdle gets financing extension Bond Buyer December 26 2018 Soloman Joshua October 5 2020 U S Supreme Court won t hear Indian River County s appeal of Brightline lawsuit TCPalm Forester Thomas April 4 2019 Brightline secures funding to Orlando plans to open Walt Disney World station WPEC Lyons David April 4 2019 Virgin Trains lines up funding for expansion to Orlando Sun Sentinel Virgin Trains finally set to launch construction of West Palm Beach to Orlando link miamiherald Cohen Howard November 16 2018 Brightline forms a partnership with Virgin A name change is coming soon Miami Herald Florida Luxury Train Cuts Branson Ties Drops Virgin Name Bloomberg Media August 7 2020 Ohnsman Alan August 7 2020 High Speed Rail Startup Brightline Ends Alliance With Richard Branson s Virgin Forbes Retrieved August 10 2020 Johnston Katie August 11 2020 Brightline Trains Ends Partnership With Richard Branson s Virgin Group WFOR TV Retrieved September 9 2020 Lyons David Virgin sues Brightline for 251 3 million over marketing divorce sun sentinel com Retrieved March 17 2021 Virgin sues Brightline for US 251 3m over naming contract International Railway Journal March 9 2021 Retrieved March 17 2021 Chardy Alfonso August 25 2014 Work begins finally on Miami to Orlando fast train Miami Herald Retrieved August 26 2014 Robbins John Charles September 27 2016 Brightline passenger rail service 65 built Miami Today Retrieved March 9 2017 Judy Scott July 30 2014 All Aboard Florida Taps Suffolk to Build Miami Station ENR Southeast Retrieved February 11 2015 Chardy Alfonso March 9 2015 On track Details for downtown Miami railway hub are revealed The Miami Herald Retrieved March 9 2015 Turnbell Michael October 29 2014 Demolition begins for All Aboard Florida s new station SunSentinel Retrieved April 8 2018 Sorentrue Jennifer November 12 2014 All Aboard Florida to begin construction today on West Palm Beach station Palm Beach Post Archived from the original on February 11 2015 Retrieved February 11 2015 Turnbell Michael January 20 2015 Rail picks contractor for Fort Lauderdale WPB stations Sun Sentinel Retrieved February 11 2015 Sorentrue Jennifer November 28 2017 Brightline to start limited service in December Palm Beach Post Retrieved December 28 2017 Sorentrue Jennifer July 24 2017 Brightline s Orlando leg delayed to 2020 myPalmBeachPost Cox Media Group Retrieved July 25 2017 Solomon Joshua June 24 2019 Virgin Trains Orlando leg underway as railroad eyes expansions to Tampa Las Vegas TCPalm Retrieved January 2 2020 Solomon Joshua September 18 2019 Virgin Trains expects to begin work Sept 23 along Treasure Coast Stuart officials say TCPalm Retrieved January 2 2020 Virgin Trains rail construction to trigger Beachline Expressway nighttime closures Rick Neale Florida Today October 21 2019 Virgin Trains USA names contractors for Orlando expansion www MassTransitMag com May 30 2019 Retrieved January 2 2020 Hristoforidis Christina September 12 2019 Is the Proposed Brightline Train Station a Good Idea for Boca Raton The Boca Raton Tribute Retrieved September 15 2019 Baitinger Brooke December 11 2019 Brightline station coming to Boca Raton by 2021 South Florida Sun Sentinel Boca Raton Florida Retrieved December 29 2019 a b Newspapers Joshua Solomon Treasure Coast Virgin Trains OKs 3 new stations in South Florida so when will it build stations here The Palm Beach Post Retrieved June 5 2020 Hanks Douglas October 11 2019 Miami Dade approves 76 million to bring Brightline to Aventura Mall Miami Herald Brightline breaks ground on Aventura Mall station Mellado Megan February 16 2023 Brightline sets target date for grand opening in Orlando www wesh2 com Retrieved February 16 2023 Happy rails to you Brightline high speed trains roll into action my Palm Beach Post January 13 2018 Retrieved May 20 2018 Brightline slates fares and service date Railway Age January 11 2018 Retrieved May 20 2018 a b Fernandez Jasmine December 21 2022 A great moment for Boca Raton s future Brightline station opens for business The Palm Beach Post Gannett Retrieved December 25 2022 a b Grand opening held for new Brightline station in Aventura WSVN Sunbeam Television December 24 2022 Retrieved December 25 2022 Bryan Susannah March 25 2020 As Brightline suspends service 250 employees lose their jobs Sun Sentinel a b Lyons David January 21 2021 Here s when Brightline trains are expected to restart service The Sun Sentinel Retrieved July 7 2021 Figueroa Jessica April 16 2020 Virgin Trains Continues Construction on South Florida to Orlando Rail Throughout COVID 19 Pandemic WDW News Today Retrieved May 31 2020 Deal Jeff July 17 2020 High speed rail service from OIA to South Florida on track for 2022 ABC WFTV Retrieved July 19 2020 Brightline trains resume from West Palm Beach to Miami for first time since March 2020 November 8 2021 Schedule Brightline 2019 Retrieved January 1 2019 BRIGHTLINE TO HOST RIBBON CUTTINGS AT BOCA RATON AND AVENTURA www gobrightline com Retrieved December 17 2022 Broadt Lisa June 29 2018 Brightline financial documents reveal first quarter ridership revenue TCPalm Retrieved July 6 2018 a b Brightline Ridership Triples Expectations Miami To Start By End Of April The Next Miami April 13 2018 Here s How Many Passengers Have Been Riding Brightline Trains The Next Miami April 30 2018 a b Lyons David Brightline expects to more than double ridership by adding three South Florida stations sun sentinel com Retrieved January 2 2020 Virgin Trains USA celebrates one million ride mark www MassTransitMag com Retrieved January 2 2020 Pembroke Park Police Department Now Active Brightline Aug Record October 2022 Brightline Monthly Ridership and Revenue Report December 2022 PDF Retrieved March 11 2023 Newspapers Joshua Solomon Treasure Coast Virgin Trains OKs 3 new stations in South Florida so when will it build stations here The Palm Beach Post Retrieved January 2 2020 a b Monthly Revenue and Ridership Report PDF December 2022 SOM completes three new Brightline Florida rail stations Archinect Retrieved June 10 2018 Brightline Rockwell Group www rockwellgroup com Retrieved June 10 2018 Kornfield Meryl July 2 2018 Brightline s garages start charging customers to park Sun Sentinel com Retrieved July 6 2018 Here Are Leasing Plans And New Renderings For All Aboard Florida s MiamiCentral Station Project The Next Miami September 22 2014 Retrieved February 11 2015 Staff A O L Is Brightline s Aventura station open yet Curious305 takes a behind the scenes look www aol com Retrieved December 15 2022 Fort Lauderdale gobrightline com Retrieved June 10 2018 Wallman Brittany May 4 2014 Rail firm appears on track to transform Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel Retrieved February 11 2015 Sorentrue Jennifer November 11 2014 All Aboard Florida updates WPB station design Palm Beach Post Archived from the original on February 12 2015 Retrieved February 11 2015 Fluker Anjali August 11 2014 Exclusive What All Aboard Florida rail station may include at Orlando airport Orlando Business Journal Retrieved February 11 2015 Brightline Disney announce agreement for Disney Springs train station Orlando Sentinel a b Ohnsman Alan June 11 2020 Inside A Wall Street Tycoon s Plan To Get Americans Off The Highway And On His Trains Forbes Luczak Marybeth May 18 2022 First Look Brightline Rolls Into Orlando Station Railway Age Retrieved May 20 2022 Bilbao Richard December 1 2021 Community Impact Heroes Brightline s Christine Kefauver sets the stage for a long term plan to improve mobility Orlando Business Journal Retrieved December 21 2021 Kokal Katherne December 20 2021 The Palm Beach Post The Palm Beach Post Mass Transit Retrieved December 21 2021 a b c d Brezina Smith Veronica Lynch Ryan September 11 2019 State Extends Virgin Trains Deadline for Orlando to Tampa Right of Way Negotiations Orlando Business Journal Archived from the original on November 2 2019 Retrieved November 2 2019 Virgin Trains Tampa to Orlando right of way negotiations extended again www bizjournals com Retrieved December 29 2019 Brezina Smith Veronica September 15 2020 Brightline developer Darryl Shaw in negotiations for Ybor City rail station Tampa Bay Business Journal Retrieved October 1 2020 Spear Kevin March 11 2021 Brightline reveals cost details and route choices for Disney service in 5 years Orlando Sentinel Retrieved April 1 2021 Universal executives pledge to donate land to support SunRail Brightline corridor WESH com May 5 2022 Retrieved May 12 2022 Johnston Bob June 28 2022 Brightline station serving Disney World won t be on theme park s property Trains Kalmbach Media Archived from the original on June 28 2022 Retrieved June 28 2022 Lynch Ryan Bilbao Richard Brightline confirms alternative train station near Disney but not on property in the works Orlando Business Journal Retrieved June 30 2022 Talley Karen All Aboard Florida gains easement hints at Jacksonville in contract Orlando Sentinel Retrieved April 8 2018 Brightline Announces Plans to Build PortMiami Station in 2020 www travelmarketreport com Retrieved January 2 2020 Amtrak Begins Active Preparations To Launch Service To Miami Intermodal Center The Next Miami March 3 2022 Retrieved August 10 2022 Rodriguez Janny September 6 2018 Brightline considers Fort Pierce train station WPTV Gardner Keona September 5 2018 Fort Pierce Brightline wants to build station hotel at H D King site downtown TC Palm Broadt Lisa October 23 2018 Stuart will pursue Brightline station city is considering three locations TCPalm Retrieved November 2 2018 Solomon Joshua October 25 2019 Virgin Trains moving closer to station in Cocoa leaning toward Stuart TCPalm Retrieved October 28 2019 a b c Scheckner Jesse March 23 2021 After 345 million buildout Brightline to run new intercity rail Miami Today Retrieved April 6 2021 Brightline Miami Dade OK access fee for new commuter rail system Progressive Railroading November 18 2020 Retrieved November 21 2020 Scheckner Jesse April 6 2021 Miami Dade seeks federal funding for Northeast commuter rail line Miami Today Retrieved April 11 2021 Lester David C August 24 2021 Florida s Broward County considering commuter rail line in FEC corridor Railway Track and Structure Retrieved September 12 2021 Lyons Davis September 5 2021 Broward commuter rail link not likely until 2028 Sun Sentinel Retrieved September 12 2021 Brightline to Build Express Intercity Passenger Rail Connecting Southern California and Las Vegas Press release XpressWest September 18 2018 Retrieved September 19 2018 Velotta Richard N September 18 2018 Florida firm acquires company planning Las Vegas to LA rail line Las Vegas Review Journal Retrieved September 18 2018 Las Vegas officials eye linking downtown to proposed high speed rail May 24 2019 Cordeiro Monivette Brightline changes name to Virgin Trains USA in new partnership with billionaire Richard Branson Orlando Weekly Akers Mick November 16 2022 High speed rail project construction could begin in 23 Retrieved November 17 2022 South Florida gets first peek at Brightline express train South Florida Sun Sentinel January 11 2017 Retrieved February 16 2019 Brightline Virgin proposal for Tampa to Orlando rail service clears key state hurdle Tampa Bay Times November 28 2018 Retrieved February 15 2019 General Definitions of Highspeed International Union of Railways UIC Retrieved November 20 2015 Pyrgidis Christos N April 21 2016 Railway Transportation Systems Design Construction and Operation CRC Press ISBN 978 1 4822 6216 2 Holsman Melissa April 22 2019 Virgin Trains sells 1 75 billion in private activity bonds for expansion to Orlando TCPalm Port St Lucie FL Treasure Coast Newspapers FECI Bringing Private Passenger Rail To Florida By 2014 Metro Jacksonville Retrieved July 16 2012 FECI envisions a three hour trip between the cities at an average speed similar to the Acela between New York and Washington DC The initial 240 mile project between Orlando and downtown Miami is expected to cost 1 billion ACELA High Speed Rail Network System Railway Technology Retrieved May 19 2012 The 225 mile 362 km New York Penn Station to Washington DC takes 2 hours 48 minutes an average of 80mph 129 km h Gale Kevin March 22 2012 Florida East Coast Industries plans Miami to Orlando passenger service South Florida Business Journal Retrieved May 18 2012 Parker Terri July 23 2014 State requires All Aboard Florida to install millions in safety upgrades WPBF Retrieved February 10 2015 Private passenger train vision calls for double tracking Florida East Coast Trains Magazine March 23 2012 Retrieved March 29 2012 All Aboard Florida Passenger Rail Project FONSI Federal Railroad Administration Retrieved February 11 2015 Southeast Florida Passenger Rail Update Sept 20 2013 Council Meeting PDF Trasurer Coast Regional Planning Council Retrieved February 11 2015 Stone Rick August 14 2014 Quiet Zones Along The FEC Tracks May Silence Critics As Well As Train Whistles WLRN Retrieved February 11 2015 Federal Railroad Administration s Train Horn amp Quiet Zone Rule Union Pacific Retrieved February 11 2015 Reiser Emon August 13 2014 All Aboard Florida secures funds for Broward Palm Beach quiet zone South Florida Business Journal Retrieved February 11 2015 Chardy Alfonso January 16 2015 With quiet zones funded for Miami Dade All Aboard Florida moves ahead Miami Herald Retrieved February 11 2015 Sorentrue Jennifer January 11 2018 UPDATE Quiet zone work to be completed in March Brightline says Palm Beach Post Retrieved February 9 2018 Shatzman Marci May 30 2018 Trains to silence horns at 10 Boca Raton crossings Sun Sentinel Retrieved June 1 2018 FRA Locomotive Horn Sounding and Quiet Zone Establishment FRA Retrieved August 21 2019 All Aboard Florida Miami to Orlando Passenger Rail Service Draft Environmental Impact Statement Federal Railroad Administration September 19 2014 Retrieved February 11 2015 https www miaminewtimes com news death train a timeline of brightline deaths in miami fort lauderdale west palm beach 13717396 After 57 deaths Brightline in Florida pleads with people to stop dangerous crossings Tampa Bay Times Brightline Florida s High Speed Train Has Highest U S Death Rate CBSMiami Associated Press December 2 2019 Retrieved January 2 2020 NOW BOCA NEWS August 9 2022 Brightline Train Kills Another This Time In Lake Worth Beach BocaNewsNow com Retrieved August 12 2022 Lake Worth Beach death marks 3rd fatal Brightline crash in Palm Beach County in week WPTV August 9 2022 Retrieved August 12 2022 49 U S C 26105 Definitions U S Government Publishing Office Retrieved April 8 2018 The Development of High Speed Rail in the United States Issues and Recent Events PDF Congressional Research Service Retrieved October 10 2012 Tracy Dan July 16 2013 Deal could lead to Miami Orlando train extended Osceola toll road Orlando Sentinel Retrieved July 30 2013 F A Q Brightline Retrieved June 10 2018 Spear Kevin Virgin Trains announces construction start for rail between Orlando and South Florida orlandosentinel com Retrieved January 2 2020 All Aboard Florida secures right of way station agreements Railway Track and Structures October 4 2013 Retrieved October 9 2013 Brightline Construction Work Train on the Orlando Line January 10 2022 retrieved January 28 2022 Seemuth Mike January 18 2016 Concrete pours for Brightline facility in West Palm Beach The Real Deal Miami Retrieved May 10 2016 Cummins QSK95 achieves Tier 4 certification Railway Gazette London April 6 2016 a b c Brightline unveils Siemens locomotives and coaches Railway Gazette London June 8 2016 Trejos Nancy November 9 2015 New Florida train service to whisk passengers between Miami and Orlando USA Today Florida s Brightline to take the grey out of travel Railway Gazette November 10 2015 All Aboard Florida Selects Siemens as Train Manufacturer Press release All Aboard Florida September 11 2014 Retrieved April 8 2018 Brinkmann Paul September 11 2014 Siemens to build All Aboard Florida trains Orlando Sentinel Retrieved February 11 2015 Hendrickson Eric December 13 2016 First Brightline train on FEC rails Trains Magazine Retrieved December 16 2016 Viglucci Andres December 14 2016 Take a gander at the very first finished Brightline train now steaming to South Florida Miami Herald Retrieved December 16 2016 Fifth Trainset Delivered As Brightline Named Official Train Service Of Miami HEAT Press release Brightline October 5 2017 Retrieved May 20 2018 via PR Newswire Brightline train service begins in South Florida WFTV 9 Fort Lauderdale Florida January 11 2018 Retrieved February 9 2018 Trains Brightline Archived from the original on January 20 2018 Retrieved February 9 2018 Vantuono William C June 5 2017 Brightline going biodiesel Railway Age Retrieved May 20 2018 Charger Diesel Electric Locomotive All Aboard Florida PDF Siemens Mobility 2014 Archived from the original PDF on June 23 2016 Retrieved January 3 2016 a b BRIGHT ORANGE 2 BRIGHTLINE S FINAL TRAINSET FOR THE ORLANDO EXTENSION PROJECT ARRIVES IN ORLANDO www gobrightline com February 19 2023 Retrieved April 4 2023 America s Passenger Rail Experience PDF Siemens Brightline Hits Record 130 MPH Orders 20 More Cars To Increase Capacity The Next Miami Retrieved April 4 2023 Further reading Edit Surface Transportation Facility Revenue Bonds Brightline Florida Passenger Rail Project Series 2019B Green Bonds PDF Florida Development Finance Corporation December 11 2020 Archived PDF from the original on January 12 2021 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Brightline Route map KML file edit help Template Attached KML BrightlineKML is from Wikidata Official website All Aboard Florida Miami to Orlando Passenger Rail Service Federal Railroad Administration Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Brightline amp oldid 1148463953, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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