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If anyone thinks that this "press release" article "fed" to some Cub reporter changes my outlook regarding the efficacy of this "faux" initiative, think again:
Here is an earlier topic regarding All Aboard Florida with my thoughts included therein:
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This is interesting enough to keep an eye on BUT until the shovels start turning dirt and the rails get spiked into place, not worth holding one's breath for.
palmland Member # 4344
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Saw this link on another site. Looks like All Aboard Florida is the real deal. Chances are certainly improved for a project largely privately financed with the state now clearly on board and the feds not in the picture. It might actually happen.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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I'm back in the barn.
This past Sunday, I took a little hike in 85dg temp from the Marriott at 16th and Bayshore down to Flagler Ave, where the Dade County CH (the structure Henry often played off as his Miami Station) is located, and of course the parking lots laid in place of the FEC station when it was razed during 1963.
This is also where the All Aboard Florida passenger station is to be located within a mixed-use structure to be built atop these lots.
Nothing, repeat nothing, has been done - not even signage saying to the effect of 'Your All Aboard Florida trip starts here'.
If 2015 is to be a start up date, they'd best get a crakin'.
My skepticism stands.
palmland Member # 4344
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Welcome home - your timing was good. Rumored that Auto Train will lose its sleeper lounge and upgraded dining and wine effective March 14. It'll be just another train. I'll refrain from cross posting the internal announcement from another site, but sounds like it's a done deal.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Have to confirm same, Mr. Palmland.
palmland Member # 4344
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According to Trains.com construction to start on Ft. Lauderdale station:
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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Demolition of existing buildings on the site of All Aboard Florida’s new Fort Lauderdale Station is set to begin this morning, marking the start of construction for the station, the Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel reports. The station will be located on nearly five acres adjacent to the Florida East Coast Railway tracks at Northwest Second Street, north of Broward Boulevard.
The station will feature an outdoor plaza leading to a building with ground level ticketing, rental cars and concessions. It will have a lounge with 200 seats above the tracks, with elevators and escalators leading down to track level.
Northwest Second Street will be permanently closed at the FEC tracks so an 800-foot passenger platform can be built, though an official closing date has not been announced. Once the station is completed, a new two-lane street immediately west of the tracks will serve as the main entrance.
The Fort Lauderdale station is one of four planned along the route, including stations in downtown Miami, downtown West Palm Beach and Orlando International Airport.
Service is set to begin from Miami to West Palm Beach in late 2016, followed by the segment to Orlando the following year.
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