The Brightline Thread

[mr jones]

Originally Posted by N830MH

What happened the NW 2nd Ave & NW 2nd St? The county bus does not go through on NW 2nd St? Is that no longer?

Buses would have to use the next north crossing at NW 4th St. According to AAF, that won't add any time to current route schedules.

[eleven=11]

the palm beach post says that AAF just
bought more land for the station and access road

[chris08876]

This is All Aboard Florida's West Palm Beach Station Design

All Aboard Florida, the private intercity passenger rail line coming to South Florida, has unveiled the design of its future $29 million West Palm Beach train station, which it plans to begin construction on before the end of the year. We're noticing a coordinated design aesthetic here, with the Miami and Fort Lauderdale stations: vertical v-shaped thingies support a boxy superstructure, in white. The new station, which is designed by Skidmore Owings & Merrill and Zyscovich along with the others, will be between Datura and Evernia Streets, and will have seating for 180 people and a surface parking lot for 90 cars.

===================================
Monday, July 21, 2014
http://miami.curbed.com/archives/201...ion-design.php

[atlantaguy]

I like SOM's designs of all of the stations, but I've always been a fan of most of their work.

Can't wait to see the design of the Orlando station with the massive adjacent parking garage, SunRail connection, people-mover connection to the terminal and the possible hint to the beginnings of the new South Terminal complex.

[bobdreamz]

County commissioners unanimously approved All Aboard Florida’s plan to build a rail terminal in downtown Miami at a zoning hearing last week.

Jose Gonzalez, a representative of the rail company, told commissioners that groundbreaking for the station is set for September. Site work at the project will begin in August, leading to the loss of hundreds of parking spaces currently on the site.

The hearing lasted just ten minutes, and mostly consisted of commissioners showering praise on All Aboard Florida. Commissioners were invited to attend the formal groundbreaking ceremony.

City of Miami officials were also granted a say in the design, and joined county staff in granting unanimous approval.

The first phase of construction will cost $150 million and include mostly station and retail space. Eventually, the project could include office, hotel and residential use.

At issue: While Miami-Dade Transit wanted developers to commit to building a pedestrian overpass connecting the future rail station to the existing Metrorail Government Center station, All Aboard Florida wanted to work out the logistics and feasibility of an overpass down the road.

“We want the same goal.… But you are telling me ‘Now. You have to commit this way,’” All Aboard Florida’s Jose Gonzalez told the committee. “That’s where I think you guys are overreaching.”

Albert Hernandez of Miami-Dade Transit countered that such an overpass is feasible and would be needed early on once All Aboard Florida begins running trains.

In the end, the parties settled on a mandate calling for an “elevated pedestrian connection” built in the first phase of the station’s development as long as other agencies OK such an overpass.

http://www.exmiami.org/index.php/dow...set-september/

[eleven=11]

Originally Posted by atlantaguy

I like SOM's designs of all of the stations, but I've always been a fan of most of their work.

Can't wait to see the design of the Orlando station with the massive adjacent parking garage, SunRail connection, people-mover connection to the terminal and the possible hint to the beginnings of the new South Terminal complex.

about the Orlando station , I like how AAF tracks arrive from the north
go nearby the main terminal complex then south to the new garage/terminal.
also Sunrail will arrive from the south (thru the rail yards) and come up north to garage/terminal.
also the MonoRail to the convention center I have no idea.

the design of FT laud & WPB & Miami very nice
some people thought that AAF needed more station stops
but I think fewer stations but better quality is the way to go.
anyways those stations are where 95% of people want to go.

[eleven=11]

saw a AAF tv commercial..

[Jasonhouse]

^In what market?

[eleven=11]

Originally Posted by Jasonhouse

^In what market?

lake worth / palm beach
don't remember what channel I was watching
and didn't see the first half, only the end
with a large All Aboard Florida logo
I watch way to much tv and usually don't pay any
attention to commercials.

[eleven=11]

saw the TV commercial again..
channel 42 msnbc Comcast cable
very nice and to the point

somehow I think Rick Scott is gonna screw this thing up.

[electricron]

Originally Posted by eleven=11

saw a AAF tv commercial..

Expect to see more ads because this train is privately owned and operated. They have to let everyone know they exist if they ever hope to have full trains and turn a profit.

When's the last time you saw a TriRail ad on TV?

[eleven=11]

now All Aboard is on the radio

//www.wjno.com/media/play/don-robinson-pres-coo-all-aboard-25087362/

[brickell]

getting closer

Originally Posted by chris08876

All Aboard Florida Closes Parking Lots To Prepare For Construction

====================================
August 4, 2014
http://www.exmiami.org/index.php/all...-construction/

[eleven=11]

so each AAF train set holds 400 people
is there more info on the trains

[electricron]

Originally Posted by eleven=11

so each AAF train set holds 400 people
is there more info on the trains

Not any that I'm aware of yet. Usually, it takes a minimum of two years to get something new built, tested, and ready.

The only "used" diesel powered HSR train sets I'm aware of are:
(1) Siemens ICE TD. They come in 4 car sets but only seat 195 passengers - about half of the 400. They are rated for 125 max speeds.
(2) Intercity HST-125. The prototypes came with 2 power end cars with 7 Mk 3 coaches in-between. They are rated for 125 mph max speeds, but have been clocked over 140 mph on occasions. Mk3 coaches can have up to 80 second class seats per car, they would only need 5 of these to reach 400 seats. But, these aren't wheelchair friendly, to install a handicap restroom would require losing around 16 seats. Therefore, at 64 seats per car, 6 cars could have 384 seats with the 7th car getting the capacity over 400. Mk 3 coaches can be locomotive hauled as well, they don't have to come as a set. VIA's Renaissance cars are sisters to Mk3 and Mk4 British coaches.

I'm hoping they will be buying new railcars, so they will have to order them soon if they plan to start services by late 2016.

[eleven=11]

I read somewhere that food and drinks would be served on the train.
something for all the Euro tourists......

[bobdreamz]

Site Work For $150M All Aboard Florida Downtown Rail Terminal
By exMiami Staff on August 7, 2014

Spotted: the first activity at the site of All Aboard Florida’s $150 million rail terminal (see photo below).

The project is fully funded (at a 12% interest rate). An official groundbreaking is expected in September.

Surface parking lots on the 9-acre site in the heart of downtown were closed last week to allow for work to begin.



http://www.exmiami.org/index.php/pho...rail-terminal/

[Eightball]

^^^Very cool.

No hope for a Naples/Ft. Myers spur? Just run it next to Alligator Alley. Would be incredible for SW FL!

[N830MH]

Originally Posted by Eightball

^^^Very cool.

No hope for a Naples/Ft. Myers spur? Just run it next to Alligator Alley. Would be incredible for SW FL!

It won't happens anytime soon. Only Tampa or Orlando.

[eleven=11]

Love that photo with 2 guys and a pickup truck.

isn't AAF/fec railroad owned by a giant real estate company?
the news say because they borrowed money at 12%
is reason the AAF will never get built
don't developers borrow money all the time