posted
I remember the last time they ran a test train, in 2000. I wonder if this one will result in any action.
From the Jacksonville Examiner, April 26:
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Amtrak train to run on FEC April 26, 10:59 AM Jacksonville Transportation Examiner Leo King
Amtrak will run a passenger extra on Thursday over the Florida East Coast Ry. and go directly to Miami. The trip is in preparation for the northbound trip on Saturday when VIPs and the media will be aboard. Amtrak spokeswoman Karin Romero in Washington said on Friday, “The train is an inspection run for Amtrak and the FEC.” For nearly 10 years plans have been a foot to run at least one sheduled Amtrak train down the FEC, and these trips are expected to boost that possibility. The schedule calls for the special train to leave Miami at the Downtown Lead, at Northwest First Avenue crossing at 8:30 a.m. It will make five-minute stops at West Palm Beach’s Third Street Crossing at 10:45 a.m., and continue on to Stuart and Second Street Crossing, arriving at 11:35a.m. The rest of the journey calls for five-minute stops at: Fort Pierce, Avenue A crossing, 12:15 p.m. Vero Beach, 23rd Street crossing, 12:40. Melbourne, Hibiscus Avenue crossing, 1:20. Cocoa, Dixon Boulevard crossing, 1:45. Titusville, South Street crossing, 2:10. Daytona Beach, Second Avenue crossing, 3:05. St. Augustine, Fifth Street crossing, 4:05 Arrive Jacksonville, Amtrak Station, 5:25 p.m. Boarding will be on the east side of the train. The southbound schedule on Thursday is to leave Jacksonville, Amtrak station at 8 a.m. and operate non-stop except for operating stops. The southward train will operate directly to the FEC terminal at Hialeah and then to be interchanged to CSX and forwarded to the Amtrak facilities at Hialeah and Miami passenger station.
I'd like to see passenger trains on the FEC route but unless the state of Florida steps up and makes it happen, it is somewhat unlikely I'm afraid.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
I've noticed several recent photos on RailPictures.net of "test trains" on the FEC. How likely is it that AMTRAK may some day actually enact service JAX-MIA on that route? And if they do, which of the existing Silver Service trains will be cut -- the Star or the Meteor?
Posts: 2428 | From: Grayling, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
It is very possible this time around though we've been down that path before. The guess here is it will happen in 2 to 3 years. Neither Silver trains likely will be axed as Orlando is too important. The likelihood is that one of the two existing trains will split in Jax as in the old days with one section down the FEC to Miami, the other via Orlando to Tampa. Obviously these could be pretty short sections unless planned equipment purchases come about quickly.
Posts: 561 | Registered: Jul 2003
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