Amtrak VS Brightline (Mobile: train, building, distances)

[mimpdaddy]

https://www.al.com/news/2024/01/mobi...aks-court.html

Amtrak is pushing to start the connection between Mobile and New Orleans. South Florida uses brightline between Orlando and Miami which is private and far more efficient from what I hear. It looked really nice when I saw it coming through Ft Lauderdale, I know Amtrak is government run and the wait times are longer. Mobile seems to be not so enthusiastic about the route. There should be a later connection to Florida. Amtrak is building up the rail infrastructure throughout the country. AL,LA,MS,GA,TX will be connected via on high-speed rail for passengers. https://www.southernrailcommission.org/

Any thoughts?

[verve57]

It would be great if Brightline could extend from central and south Florida, across the Florida panhandle, through Mobile and on to New Orleans. They are focused on having their own tracks in order to facilitate the higher speeds, less impact of freight, and fewer road crossings. That would be the biggest challenge and would take some years to complete. But, I remain hopeful that the various high speed rail projects across the country would lead to a better network for train travel.

[johnsonkk]

Originally Posted by verve57

It would be great if Brightline could extend from central and south Florida, across the Florida panhandle, through Mobile and on to New Orleans. They are focused on having their own tracks in order to facilitate the higher speeds, less impact of freight, and fewer road crossings. That would be the biggest challenge and would take some years to complete. But, I remain hopeful that the various high speed rail projects across the country would lead to a better network for train travel.

The distances are the killer on an extension of Brightline service, especially if they want their own tracks.

Orlando to Miami is 250 miles or equal from Orlando to Tallahassee. Then it’s over 400 miles from Tallahassee to New Orleans, over waterways and low land, which is challenging for building new tracks.

[verve57]

Originally Posted by johnsonkk

The distances are the killer on an extension of Brightline service, especially if they want their own tracks.

Orlando to Miami is 250 miles or equal from Orlando to Tallahassee. Then it’s over 400 miles from Tallahassee to New Orleans, over waterways and low land, which is challenging for building new tracks.

You're definitely right about that. That's one of the major challenges across the country especially when you talk about having dedicated tracks. But, one can only dream.