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At this point the goals of SMART were stated and they included the following: 1) Supporting the continuation of Amtrak’s Sunset Limited passenger train, 2) Reestablishing Sunset Limited service to Florida 3) Daily service for the Sunset Limited.
These three items were unanimously approved (and reflect the goals of RailPAC for many years). At this point Amtrak’s Jim McDaniel, Assistant Superintendent, Passenger Services, told the group that he cannot support expansion of the Sunset into Florida as Amtrak does not encourage Florida service at this time. (emphasis added) Jim also told the group that he cannot encourage something that Amtrak does not support. The SMART group understood Jim’s position and Jim excused himself from the meeting. A lively discussion ensued regarding very strong rumors:
1) Amtrak was encouraging Sunset service to Jacksonville, Florida rather then Orlando. Jacksonville service seems to be attractive and favored by the group as direct service from Jacksonville south is in place. 2) An Amtrak route change in Texas may be in the works and several people in the group believe that in fact that may happen in the near future.
Sometimes rumors do have a basis and I guess time will tell. After this topic the group spent some time dealing with membership and how to grow the organization and what would be a model for this group to follow. From there the group decided how to best advocate calling on local officials, chamber of commerce and so on. It was then decided that the next meeting will be held again in New Orleans because of location and the date will be the last weekend of May. It is my strong wish and desires that this fine group of people will achieve their goals and grow as an organization. They have a lot of work to do.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Mr/s. Breeze's report above is excerpted from a longer report of the Sunset Marketing And Revitalization Team (SMART) meeting held March 29, 2008 at New Orleans. Here is the source material in its entirety:
Apparently, Amtrak limited their participation to that of having an Official "stop by" and make a few "not exactly attaboy" remarks as well as allow use of a conference room at NOUPT. However, beyond that it appears evident Amtrak does not wish to return the train to service. Obviously CSX can do quite OK without Sunset East, and it evidently has no political patron saint, such as The Cardinal has with Sen. Byrd (D-WV).
This is simply a recitation of the "factoids of life" that any party seeking the train's restoration must confront.
Finally, allow me to again note I have had "more positives than negatives" journeys on Sunset East during '02 and '04 (I've never ridden Amtrak's "Sunset West" - only SP's "bumper to bumper') as part of Orlando to Chicago itineraries.
Geoff M Member # 153
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Yet another committee/study/group/wannabees? The mind boggles.
I can understand Jacksonville as an end point from the point of view of reversals and suchlike making more congestion around Jacksonville - but they'd probably still need to dead-head the train down to Sanford to service it anyway. So why not terminate the train at Sanford which is (almost) close enough to Disneyworld and suchlike to make it attractive to the people headed there - which, on my trips on the SL, are enough to justify retaining service to the vicinity. Even I, as a railfan, would not enjoy a change of trains in Jacksonville and would probably fly instead.
"Appears evident" or otherwise, nobody here knows the truth so I would suggest refraining from dismissing something which is not yet dead. Instead, positive encouragement would be more usefully directed at whichever focus/study group is flavour of the month.
The redirection through Texas may have been the New Orleans - Fort Worth - Midland - El Paso routing mooted several years ago.
Geoff M.
Mr. Toy Member # 311
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Just for the record, SMART is one of several "route support teams" created by NARP in recent months. SMART seems to be the most organized of these. These teams are intended to operate somewhat independently of NARP, and NARP membership is not necessary to participate in a team.
I am a member of the similar Coast Starlight Communities Network, though my current level of participation is limited due to personal circumstances.
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