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Florida Central to receive federal grant for track upgrades
On some of the track I have seen, 10 MPH is pretty optimistic.
The problem with getting government grant money is that someday, the government will come back and declare it has the right to run the railroad because government “invested” money into the railroad and is therefore, the owner.
Unsure of why the taxpayer has to foot $16.2 million of this work. How much has the railroad put into their own upkeep? Sounds like a typical shoestring operation.
Goosie I’m sure you see no problem with the government pouring tax money into our highways and airline. So why do you hate railroads?
FCEN rebuilt part of the line between Apopka and beyond Orange Blossom RV Resort – maybe 4 years ago. I watched as the ribbon went down by OBRV.
How are these track upgrades going to benefit the public good? Isn’t FECR a private for profit endevor?
As Orlando initiates a new North/South commuter rail over the next 2 years (SunRail), this section of FEC rail is the logical location of another commuter rail to the communities Northeast of Orlando including Tavares, Eustis, Umatilla, Mount Dora and Apopka. And also to cities west of Orlando including Winter Garden, Ocoee, and the growing residential area along Clarcona-Ocoee road.
I live in Eustis and have watched Florida Central for years. The railroad seems to move a good bit of traffic. I hear that eventually the plan is to run commuter rail to Orlando. With the traffic on the roads down here I think it will work. We already have Florida Sun Rail ramping up and starting in the next year or so between Deland FL. and Poinciana, FL. to be opened in stages. The improvements are for future operations not so much to support current activity. Al least that’s what I’ve been told.
I live in Eustis and have watched Florida Central for years. The railroad seems to move a good bit of traffic. I hear that eventually the plan is to run commuter rail to Orlando. With the traffic on the roads down here I think it will work. We already have Florida Sun Rail ramping up and starting in the next year or so between Deland FL. and Poinciana, FL. to be opened in stages. The improvements are for future operations not so much to support current activity. Al least that’s what I’ve been told.
This area could use all the upgrades it can get…here’s hoping with these upgrades, both commercial and perhaps more passenger-type service, or at least expanded tourism runs, will be possible and ultimately help the local economy.
@PHILIP V NICHOLS - as long as we have the substantial imbalance where railroads are supposed to pay “property taxes” to local governments, who then spend it on subsidizing ordinary roads, it’s more than reasonable to divert some of those taxes back, especially in an environment where even the Interstate Highway system is subsidized through income taxes these days.
These taxes will also help take trucks off our roads, trucks being the most subsidized form of transport at the moment.
This entire region of track could use the upgrades. I wonder what new activities might be planned that calls for the upgrades? There certainly seems to be potential for it, both in terms of commercial rail and some limited tourist runs, as there recently was in the Eustis area.
It would not be in this shape if the state would not have blown a bunch of money building toll roads which are a big drain on the state budget.
If we are going to spend money on up grading, why not spend a little bit more and get track speed up to 50 mph. this would help in the long run for getting passenger service in this area
Rail freight and passenger improvements get cars and trucks off of oversaturated roads, and that does help the public good.