Scott Orlando
Service Attendant
SunRail now has 3 locomotives and 7 passenger cars. Several stations are almost complete. Testing is underway for the spring 2014 start of service. He are a few pics....
The Deland-Daytona connection talk does not surprise me. IIRC, there's already a plan to beef up the bus connection on this route. The problem is that Sunrail, as planned now, simply improves on an existing rail line (namely the A-line). To get to Daytona, you'd need to put in "new" alignment in a big way.This project is completely separate from the HSR project. Gov Scott put both projects on hold for financial re-evaluation shortly after taking office. With soil testing and right of way surveying beginning, he cancelled the HSR project. With that there was wide speculation SunRail would be next but after few months delay it was given the green light. Now the speculation is FEC's All Aboard Florida will one day extend the Miami-Orlando route and use the HSRs plans for a NEC type high speed. Who knows...
As far as expansion beyond what is officially planned, Volusia county has expressed interest in a northern expansion from DeLand to Daytona, but would require new construction. Lakeland and Tampa area politicans and media have talked about going south on existing track. But for now I am thrilled to see something that has been talked about for 30 years just a few months from opening day.
Maybe they want to start off with a skeleton service and add to it as equipment becomes available.Word around Sanford is that SunRail will be a little short of equipment. I believe there are still only 4 locomotives (100-103) but plenty of cab and non-cab cars.
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