With stations already under construction, a new rail service connecting Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando is on track for a 2017 launch, with trains that will provide airline-style amenities without the airport hassle.
The new service, dubbed Brightline, will connect Miami and Orlando in about three hours, comparable to the time for flying, when airport travel and processing is included. The trains, while not exactly super-speed, will hit 125 mph.
Brightline is a project of Florida East Coast Industries, which also owns the Florida East Coast Railroad. That's a big plus, because it means that Brightline has passenger traffic rights to FEC's freight railroad. Only a few areas will need additional trackwork. The $3 billion project is being financed through corporate bonds, and direct investment by FEC.
Amtrak also operates service to the same cities, using other tracks, but Brightline points out that Amtrak operates at lower speeds, and runs fewer daily trains than Brightline plans. Brightline's trains are being built in Sacramento by Siemens.
For much more detail from USA Today, click HERE
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