The Silver Rail Blog

http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/local/as-tampa-preps-for-rail-st-petersburgs-mayor-grouses-about-getting-left/1122368

--Jackson McQuigg

This article from the New York Times chronicles a rising anti-passenger rail sentiment now making itself known on the campaign trail as the November elections approach.

One of the politicians cited in the article? Republican Florida Gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott.

--Jackson McQuigg

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/08/18/us.high.speed.rail/index.html?iref=hpbua 

--Jackson McQuigg

From the Miami Herald:

 http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/09/24/1841080/two-wackenhut-executives-charged.html

--Jackson McQuigg

The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) is interested in buying CSX trackage in Tampa for the planned light rail system there, according to The Tampa Bay Business Journal. 

CSX has indicated that it would sell, but only if more lines were considered for purchase and existing freight trains could be accomodated.

Still unknown is whether Hillsborough County voters will approve a transporation sales tax which will be on the November ballot.

More information on this local option sales tax and the proposed light rail system can be found here: www.movinghillsboroughforward.org.

--Jackson McQuigg

Friends of Tampa Union Station, Inc., founded by the Coalition in 2008 in cooperation with the City of Tampa, continues to make strides in its efforts to assure the ongoing preservation of Tampa Union Station.

The minutes of the Friends' latest Board of Directors meeting can be found by clicking here.

More information about Friends of Tampa Union Station can be found at www.tampaunionstation.com

--Jackson McQuigg 

The controversy over last year's resignation of Amtrak Inspector General Fred Weiderhold continues:

http://republicans.oversight.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=979:amtrak-ig-staff-report&catid=21

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703384204575510041991600462.html?mod=rss_US_News

--Jackson McQuigg

Read the press release from Siemens here: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/siemens-velaro-high-speed-train-coming-to-florida-102800189.html

Siemens is, of course, one of many companies seeking to build or supply equipment to Florida's planned high speed rail system.

--Jackson McQuigg

Amtrak and the Florida Department of Transporation are repotedly near an interim agreement on liability coverage that would allow the SunRail transaction with CSX to proceed.  This agreement will also likely serve as the framework for Amtrak service on Florida East Coast Railway.  A permanent liability agreement is expected to be approved by the Florida state legislature next year. 

A disturbing news story about the Auto-Train, from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

http://www.ajc.com/news/death-of-amtrak-passenger-612681.html

--Jackson McQuigg