Promoting passenger trains as a transportation alternative in Florida since 1983. We are citizens who advocate for Amtrak, commuter rail, intercity rail and transit for Florida's future.
Service to Orlando is projected to start on September 1. Book Train Tickets Here | Brightline (gobrightline.com)
From CBS News Miami:
https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/brightline-tests-train-speeds-ahead-of-trips-between-south-florida-and-orlando/
--Jackson McQuigg
John and Barb Thomas recently visited Deland station to report on the progress and what's being done. So far parking area and surroundings are being neatly cleared for SunRail commuters. The Station will be repaired and updated which will be a welcome site since its seen its share of patches. The maintenance of way crew has the rail piled to one side and ready to double track he main line.
John and Barb said to looks like it will be on schedule to begin the middle of next summer.
Thanks Guys.
FCRP was at Train Day in Tampa as an exhibitor and recruited new members at the event!
From WMNF:
https://www.wmnf.org/hopes-for-new-florida-connections-on-national-train-day/
The new station will be at the site of the current Amtrak station.
From the Daytona Beach News-Journal:
https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/2023/05/18/sunrail-expanding-deland-brightline-orlando-central-florida-groundbreaking/70231901007/
From WLRN:
https://www.wlrn.org/news/2023-04-21/tri-rail-new-train-designs
Big milestone!
From Fox 35 Orlando:
https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/brightline-tickets-orlando-miami-west-palm-beach-begins-to-south-florida-when-tickets-go-on-sale
Hello everyone,
We will be having a casual meeting on the day of Saturday May 13th, Train Day. Now i realize many of you cant make it as of short notice and transportation issues, we will post any and all updates.
The meeting time will be 2 pm inside station upstairs where i will reserve the room.
Hope you will be able to attend and we realize we are over due for a meeting.
Thanks for your understanding,
Stephen Sayles Board Member
Is this a hopeful sign for future weekend operation?
From WFTV:
https://www.wftv.com/news/local/sunrail-gave-free-rides-saturday-including-downtown-orlando-how-did-it-go/6D3OZSOHEJEQ7O4JHSV3UHMUEA/
From TCPalm:
https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/local/florida/2023/02/24/brightline-passenger-service-from-miami-to-orlando-to-begin-this-summer/69916491007/
Alachua/Gainesville Commissioner's sent letter to Amtrak asking for return of Silver Star to Ocala and Alachua County.
https://www.wcjb.com/2023/02/14/alachua-county-requesting-amtrack-restore-rail-service
Service was dropped when CSX diverted all passenger traffic to A line.
I notified them to see how we could assist.
Stephen Sayles
Florida Coalition of Rail Passengers, P.O. Box 30154, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33420 www.fcrprail.org