All Aboard! Miami to Orlando in 3 Hours on Planned Florida Train

[steve2470]

http://www.nbcnews.com/business/travel/all-aboard-miami-orlando-3-hours-planned-florida-train-n202126

All aboard! A private high-speed Florida railway service linking Miami with Orlando is set to begin operation by the end of 2016, using German rolling stock made in the U.S. All Aboard Florida plans an hourly schedule on 195 miles of existing tracks that have not been used for passenger trains in almost 50 years. Phase two will add 40 miles of new track to extend service to Orlando International Airport. "We see a strong resurgence of rail service in the United States," said Michael Cahill, president of German engineering giant Siemens' rail systems division in the U.S. The trains will be made in Siemens' solar-powered rail manufacturing hub in Sacramento, California, with traction motors and gearboxes coming from Norwood, Ohio; propulsion containers from Alpharetta, Georgia; and diesel engines manufactured by Cummins in Seymour, Indiana. The locomotives will also be built to meet the new tougher emissions standards set by the federal government. The trains will operate at speeds up to 125 mph with a goal of making the 235 miles between Orlando and Miami in three hours.

video at link

[yeoman6987]

1. I guess a start

It takes 3 hours and 34 minutes to get their now. Saving a half hour is good I guess. Depending on cost compared with gas and possible rent of a car. However, I live here so maybe they are hoping tourists will want to go from Orlando to Miami.

[steve2470]

2. you must be on the far south end of the Orlando metro area

It always takes me at least 4 hours to get to Miami. A train will be wonderful.

[yeoman6987]

3. Yes. That is true

I am glad it will make you quality of life better and others to.

[hay rick]

4. CNBC puff piece.

I live in South Florida and nobody here thinks they have a viable business plan for intercity rail. They have applied for a $1.6 billion federal loan to double track their existing route. AAF is a subsidiary of FEC which also operates a rail freight business. They are expecting a big increase in container freight traffic coming through the Port of Miami and Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale). Both ports have been upgraded in anticipation of increased shipments through the soon to be completed expansion of the Panama Canal.