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Author Topic: Sunrail News
Ocala Mike
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http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/crews-break-ground-volusia-sunrail-station/nPQ6y/
Posts: 1530 | From: Ocala, FL | Registered: Dec 2006  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Gilbert B Norman
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Brief Passage from the above linked material:

  • VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. —
    Crews broke ground on the first SunRail station in Volusia County on Monday.

    Congressman John Mica, along with other politicians and officials from across Central Florida, were on hand to pound in the ceremonial rail spike as the DeBary SunRail station broke ground.

    Debary Mayor Bob Garcia said he worked for nearly 10 years to make it day happen.
    "I am probably one of the most excited men on the face of the earth today," said Garcia.
Always fun to watch how "train hating" Rep. John Mica (R-FL7) suddenly becomes chamelon and is a "train lover".

Finally, I'm pleased to learn the Volusia County has joined up. I thought that only Orange and Osceola had done so, and that they were going to simply run through Seminole. Maybe there is hope yet that their neighbors to the South in Martin County will join the party so that Tri-Rail may expand Northward on the FEC to Jupiter and Stuart or Northwestward to Indiantown on CSX (not sure what the demand would be on that route now that Pratt & Whitney has left town).

Again, as I have noted at other topics, that in order to have the State spigot (and by consequence, that of the FTA) turned on, any county desiring service must impose a tax dedicated to funding the rail system.

Posts: 9977 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Gilbert B Norman
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This past Friday, an Orlando real estate broker's trade association sponsored a "SunRail Simulation" using #91(13), Silver Star, from Deland to Kissimmee. Bus transportation was used for the return to Orlando as well as Orlando to Deland. Here is the report appearing in the Orlando Business Journal:

http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/blog/2012/09/slideshow-riding-the-future-sunrail.html

Brief passage:

  • For years now, Central Floridians have been hearing all about what it would be like to ride the planned $1.3 billion, 61-mile SunRail commuter rail.

    But on Sept. 14, about 200 government officials, real estate representatives and business executives — and yours truly — finally got a chance to experience it in person.

    The Orlando Regional Realtor Association organized a SunRail sneak peek ride-along on a regularly scheduled Amtrak train from DeLand to Kissimmee. Though the Silver Star train stopped only at Amtrak’s existing stations — Winter Park, Orlando Health and Kissimmee — riders also were able to see construction at many of the Phase 1 stations, which runs 31 miles from DeBary in Volusia County to Sand Lake Road in Orange County
I can only hope the sponsors were properly billed by Amtrak for the surely three A-II's that had to be deadheaded from Miami to Jacksonville for the party. I have to wonder if Amtrak still maintains a Yard Engine and crew at JAX to have handled this move. While to my best knowledge the existing Train & Engine agreements allow the road crew to do one "drill", if the cars for the party were handled on the rear of 92(13) and simply left at the station overnight for 91(13), I guess the move could be done without a Yard engine, but it would be awkward and time consuming (after completing station work to back the consist to the storage track and couple up). Of course, talk about the waste of deadheading the cars from New York and return for 40 miles of revenue service.

But then lest we forget, Rep. John Mica (R-FL7) is a "SunRail lover" and could have his way with Amtrak on a matter such as this.

Posts: 9977 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
palmland
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We just returned from a Florida trip and stopped in Winter Park to check out SunRail progress (and get a quick snack at their farmer's market).

I was surprised at the progress there. According to the Amtrak ticket agent the new station will be completed by Nov. or Dec. of this year. Foundation work has begun. From the architectural drawings in the station, it will be much improved over the present one (and actually abuts it to the south). It even boasts a 'Great Hall'. Not sure how great it is, but vast improvement over most Amshacks.

Also a surprise was the length of the platform. The block where the current station is appears to be the primary commuter boarding area as it has a raised ADA platform at either end. It will be very attractive as the concrete platform with curbs are now in place are designed to contain brick pavers (partially completed in one area).
The platform then continues on the other side of the street and extends another entire block and on either side of the two tracks. It could easily accommodate a 15/18 car train. The 2 city blocks of platforms are adjacent to the very nice city park with high end shops on the main drag.

The SunRail brochure at the station says Phase 1 (DeBary to Sand Lake Rd) will begin next year. Phase 2 will continue north to DeLand and south to 'Kissimmee Amtrak' and Poinciana with 2016 completion. There will be a total of 17 stations. Interestingly only 12 will provide commuter parking. That does not include Winter Park nor the four station through downtown Orlando (including the Amtrak one).

The brochure is directed at the commuters and their employers. It mentions: Save on payroll taxes and get a tax break by allowing employees to use pre-tax income - up $125/mo.- to pay for transit passes (sec. 132f of IRS code- GBN?); Wireless internet on the trains; reduce your number of employee parking spaces, have employees arrive at work relaxed, etc.

Fares average $2.50 with discounts available. Trains will operate on 30 min. headway in peak hours. The LYNX buses will include the new station stops.

Now, I wonder if Disney has plans for Shuttle service and if the All Aboard Florida enterprise will use this service to connect to their stop at the Orlando Airport. One of the planned SunRail stops is 'Osceola Parkway'. CSX intersects that highway about 1-2 miles from the north entrance to the Orlando airport.

Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
notelvis
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I've always liked the existing Winter Park Amtrak Station dating to the end of the era where the railroads themselves were erecting passenger stations.

While not 'charming', the existing Winter Park station serves it's purpose unobtrusively. The one thing it's guilty of, I suppose, is not being posh enough for it's surroundings.

Regardless, I'll soon have the opportunity to see what's going on for myself - we'll be there Memorial Day weekend for the third in a series of send-off parties for my Air Force Brother-in-Law....... this one to be called "But he REALLY is leaving Florida this time......"

At least this transfer seems to be going through and he seems to be going to Germany in June rather than the twice rescinded sets of orders for Afghanistan in the last 18 months. For the record, the brother-in-law prefers Germany where larger quantities of much better beer will be available.

--------------------
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  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
palmland
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I would take beer over IED's any day.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
   

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