The Silver Rail Blog

From The Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA):

http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/business/article_ac8508ca-81c2-11e7-be16-877060f0e7e8.html

--Jackson McQuigg

From TCPalm.com: 

http://www.tcpalm.com/story/opinion/columnists/rich-campbell/2017/07/27/yay-fort-pierce-pursuing-brightline-train-stop-rich-campbell/509444001/ 

--Jackson McQuigg

From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel: 

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/florida/fl-sb-train-suicides-campaign-20170727-story.html

--Jackson McQuigg

Recently, FCRP President Steve Sayles was interviewed by Ocala radio station WCOA on the importance of Amtrak and the White House's negative views on maintaining a national passenger rail system.

You may listen to his interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPc-rXCO36w&feature=youtu.be

Good job, Steve! Remember to contact our elected officials and tell them that we need trains!

--Jackson McQuigg 

As you undoubtedly know by now, the Trump Administration has proposed eliminating funding for all Amtrak long distance trains, including all 3 Amtrak trains which currently serve Florida--the Silver Meteor, the Silver Star and the Auto Train.

If Congress decided to go along with this plan (or even a "meet me in the middle"-type compromise), this move would have an extremely negative impact on citizens and tourists using trains to and from Florida. It would also eliminate any hope of returning the Sunset Limited east of New Orleans.

A new petition is circulating now calling for full funding for Amtrak. We are encouraging you to sign it in addition to calling Florida's Senators and your Member of Congress. The Congressional switchboard is: 202-224-3121.

Even if you have already written or called about this issue, do so again! Multiple contacts are needed to get the point across.

--Jackson McQuigg 

From the Washington Post:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dr-gridlock/wp/2017/06/26/amtrak-names-new-chief-executive/?utm_term=.639caea7a14e

--Jackson McQuigg

Save the long distance trains rallies are being set for all stations along the way that will lose Amtrak service under the proposed Federal budget....ie...ALL OF FLORIDA!

Speak up! Host your own rally at any station.  Go to www.narprail.org and see how to sign up.

Volunteers are needed for both Friday and Saturday June 23rd and 24th for rallies already planned in Tampa. If you can help, contact me for more information! 

Stephen Sayles, President FCRP, Email: fcrp@fcrprail.org

From Fox 13 Tampa Bay:

http://www.fox13news.com/consumer/256462742-story

Speak up now! Contact your Member of Congress and Florida's Senators today by writing to them via this link. 

Please tell them Florida needs more passenger trains and transit, not less!

--Jackson McQuigg

FCRP participated in another successful Train Day in Tampa this year. 

There are lots of photos of the day over on Facebook (there is no need to belong to Facebook to view these photos, incidentally). 

FCRP President Steve Sayles and others were in attendance, promoting both our Coalition and NARP. FCRP has participated since the very first National Train Day back in 2008.

--Jackson McQuigg

The future of the northern terminal of Amtrak's New York-Florida trains is being very publicly discussed at present.

From the New York Times:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/21/nyregion/cuomo-trump-penn-station.html

--Jackson McQuigg