http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/politicalwhore/2009/05/26/florida-high-speed-rail-is-a-pipe-dream-and-bad-idea-%E2%80%94-for-now/

Good article in current edition of Passenger Train Journal. Split Sunset into two seperate trains; one from L.A. to Dallas and the other from Dallas to Orlando, on a daily basis. I believe the idea has some merit.

The link shown below explains the concept.  Andy Healy

 

http://trains4america.wordpress.com/2009/05/22/passenger-rail-journal-sunset-proposal/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Update on Contributions to Tampa Union Station Preservation Fund

 

My thanks go to all of you who have contributed thus far to the Tampa Union Station Preservation Fund, the endowment fund for the ongoing restoration of Tampa Union Station at the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay.

 

To date, nearly $25,000 has been raised through tax-deductible donations to the Fund.

 

We are on our way to our goal! Once $37,500 in contributions have been made, the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay will award a $12,500 matching grant to the Fund.

 

This will, of course, establish a permanent $50,000 endowment for the perpetual care of one of Florida’s railroad landmarks, Tampa Union Station.

 

Please join me and other passenger rail advocates in this important cause by making a personal commitment to the Fund. And please tell others about it, as well!

 

More details and a contribution form are available at the Friends of Tampa Union Station website: www.tampaunionstation.com

 

Sincerely,

Jackson McQuigg

Secretary and Board Member, FCRP

President, Friends of Tampa Union Station

Southern Division Council Leader, NARP

County officials endorse Amtrak project

By HEATHER SCOFIELD
Staff Writer

BUNNELL -- County commissioners Monday unanimously passed a resolution to support the reintroduction of Amtrak passenger rail service between Jacksonville and Miami, despite one commissioner's reservations.

"I think this is a waste of public money," said Commissioner Alan Peterson.

He didn't oppose the resolution that offers up local support for a state project that would be completed using federal stimulus funds. But he said his experiences in northern U.S. states led him to worry that reintroducing the rail service could bring more problems than benefits. Peterson also said he couldn't envision the service being a moneymaker for rail officials.

"I fail to see how they're going to get much business running from Jacksonville to Miami," Peterson said, adding that service between Jacksonville and Orlando might be more worthwhile.

He also pointed out that no boarding stations are planned between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville in the railway proposal so the service would be "of limited value" to residents in Flagler County.

In other business at the meeting:

· Commissioners approved a new contract for bulk fuel purchases for county fleet vehicles. The contract will be signed in conjunction with Volusia County Council, Volusia County School Board, Votran, South Daytona, New Smyrna Beach and Port Orange.

County Administrator Craig Coffey said the newly negotiated fuel and delivery rates will save taxpayers greatly in the coming years. Fuel prices are calculated daily under the agreement, using a published daily fuel price index. The contract that commissioners approved is for one year with the ability to renew the contract each year for the next four years.

· The commission accepted a $76,000 federal stimulus grant to purchase a new wheelchair-accessible bus for the county's public transportation system.

· Commissioners also accepted two grants from the Florida Department of Transportation. The first grant -- $680,000 -- will allow officials to install new sidewalks and complete partial sidewalks along State Road 100 between Belle Terre Parkway and Bulldog Drive. The work will enhance safety for pedestrians and students at Flagler Palm Coast High School, Coffey said.

The second grant -- $1 million -- will pay for the design and construction of a new turn lane and traffic signal at the intersection of U.S. 1 and Royal Palms Parkway.

· Commissioners approved the purchase of 97 acres of land at Sweetbottom Plantation along Bulow Creek for $2.5 million in a divided vote. The approved purchase is nearly $900,000 more than the most recent appraisal done on the property. Peterson and Commission Chairwoman Milissa Holland voted against the land buy, saying the difference between the seller's bottom line and the assessed value of the property was simply too great.

heather.scofield@news-jrnl.com

Amtrak breaks ground on
new Sanford station

http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/traffic/051809amtrak_auto_train_groundbreaking

Updated: Monday, 18 May 2009, 11:41 PM EDT
Published : Monday, 18 May 2009, 3:23 PM EDT

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/may/19/na-hillsborough-panel-backs-high-speed-rail-from-t/news-metro/

By RICH SHOPES

rshopes@tampatrib.com

Published: Tampa Tribune

May 19, 2009

TAMPA - Hillsborough County's Transportation Task Force is backing a high-speed rail plan linking Tampa and Orlando.

The task force approved a motion Monday to formally endorse the project, one of several across the nation that emerged after the federal government proposed that $8 billion in stimulus funds go toward high-speed rail.

The Federal Railroad Administration is holding workshops across the country to gauge support for high-speed rail projects.

The motion by task force members comes as the railroad administration is set to meet Thursday in Orlando to consider Florida's plan to connect Tampa, Orlando, Miami and Jacksonville.

The first leg of that plan, Tampa to Orlando, would cost about $2 billion.

Ray Chiaramonte, executive director of the county's Metropolitan Planning Organization, said the Tampa-Orlando leg is farther along than others across the nation and could begin in 18 to 24 months if funding is in place. About a dozen other states are floating their own proposals.

"We have an advantage for a short period of time over the other proposals with the work that has already been accomplished," he said.

In addition, Chiaramonte said the system could complement a future light-rail program in the Tampa area.

Supporters scramble to salvage SunRail

Despite the Florida legislature's repeated rejection of a 61-mile central Florida regional rail service, dubbed SunRail, Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) and the Florida Department of Transportation continue to explore ways to keep the proposal alive. “We've got to explore all of our options and see if we can move forward. There may be a delay in the service,” Mica said. “We've invested eight years. We have $100 million in public hearings and planning." For its part, FDOT “is already working to save the regional rail system,” FDOT District 5 spokesman Steve Olsen said. “Our official position is, we're in the process of looking at the options. We're talking with our funding partners.” FDOT, acting on behalf of the state, was to purchase right-of-way from current owner CSX between DeLand and Poinciana, at a cost of about $615 million. Legislators objected to several issues but especially the portion of the proposed agreement absolving CSX from any liability on the route, even if CSX was involved in any incident. Adding moral support to the SunRail effort was DOT Secretary Ray LaHood, who said,  “Commuter rail for Central Florida is important to the state and the nation.” But the clock continues ticking. At a meeting hosted by the Railway Supply Institute in Washington May 7, CSX Director of Federal Affairs Stephen Flippin said time was running out for SunRail, and CSX’s deal with the state was set to expire on June 30.

I apologize for not mentioning all the awesome assistance that NARP gave us once again. Bob Stewart did a great job again this year as emcee and we could not have been as effective without their help.

Thank you NARP!!

Stephen Sayles

I wanted to take this time to thank all the wonderful members who not only took time out to attend this event but help make it such a resounding success.

I have not seen this much excitement at Tampa Union Station since the re-opening / re-dedication ceremony back in 1998. Whether a rail fan or just a spectator, you could see and feel the electricity in the air where people were venturing everywhere in order to take it all in. From the main hall with all the displays to the platforms’ and an opportunity to tour the Superliner equipment that Amtrak supplied.

The Florida Coalition of Rail Passengers is starting to really make a name for itself and I am very proud to not only be associated with all of you but appreciate the faith you have in myself and the rest of our officers.

Stephen Sayles
President FCRP

From the Daytona Beach News-Journal

May 1, 2009

SunRail defeated in Legislature

By JAMES MILLER
Staff Writer

TALLAHASSEE - The proposed Central Florida commuter rail system went down to defeat in the Florida Legislature today - for the second time in two days.

The failure in the Senate of language backing SunRail - a 61.5-mile system proposed to connect DeLand and metropolitan Orlando - could sound a death-knell for the 61.5-mile system proposed to connect DeLand and metropolitan Orlando.

Its backers said the project was a crucial transportation alternative in the growing Interstate 4 corridor.

Opponents said it was an unreasonably expensive deal that would leave the state holding an unreasonable burden for accidents in the rail corridor, even if they weren't caused by SunRail.

"I think if they do not take action and approve the SunRail legislation, it is a dead situation," Volusia County Chairman Frank Bruno said before the vote today.

"SunRail is gone forever," Bruno said. "You won't have all those partners again. You won't have the federal funds." SunRail's costs to the federal and state governments and five local partners - Volusia, Orange, Osecola and Seminole counties and Orlando - have been put at $2.7 billion over 30 years, including operations.

Start-up costs have been estimated at about $1.2 billion.

An agreement for the Florida Department of Transportation to purchase the corridor between DeLand and Poinciana from its current owner, Jacksonville-based CSX Transportation, expires June 30. CSX would lease the corridor for freight traffic.

The sale is contingent, though, on legislation that would shield CSX from up to $200 million in damage to commuters or other people in the corridor - even if CSX caused the damage.

Without that legislation, the SunRail agreement can be voided June 30.

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© 2009 News-Journal Corporation.