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July 14th - Phoenix Rising in the Sunshine State


What happened in Florida? Not talking about the Covid 19, but talking about the rise, fall and rise again of high speed speed rail in Florida over the past 12 years, and more importantly what this experience means for California.


High speed rail in Florida goes back over 20 years, with plans put in place for a Tampa to Orlando as far back as 2003. In 2008, word of $8 billion of funding becoming available for high speed rail flashed through the nation. Ohio and Wisconsin got approved for funding, but then refused it. That money then went to Florida where an Orlando to Tampa bullet train appeared likely (with JR Central even part of the plan), but then Rick Scott became Governor and Florida became like Wisconsin and Ohio and cancelled their high speed rail project.


Unlike Ohio and Wisconsin, a new private plan was to rise out of the ashes of the Florida high speed rail project. Florida East Coast Railways would start All Aboard Florida...which would morph into Brightline/Virgin Trains USA. Today Virgin Trains USA operates between a new Miami Central Station and West Palm Beach. However, in 2022 Virgin Trains will extend to Cocoa Beach and Orlando. At which point it will be highly likely that Virgin Trains will become the predominant transportation option between the 19 largest tourist destination in America (Miami) and the Number 1 Tourist Destination in America (Orlando). source: Best Choice Reviews.


Central Japan Railway Enters Competition for U.S. High-Speed Market

The Transport Politic


Disney's High-Speed Railroad Stop That Never Happened

Youtube/ Midway to Mainstreet


Disney’s Magical Express: Simple Idea, Not-So-Simple Beginnings

Youtube/ Midway to Mainstreet


Florida High Speed Rail Briefing at Orlando International Airport

High Speed Rail News


$300 million more for Tampa-Orlando high-speed rail

Youtube/ABC News


Work underway on Virgin Train project connecting Central Florida to South Florida

Youtube/WESH 2 News NBC


Orlando International Airport Brightline Station

Youtube


Fast Forward Ep. 4 - The Florida High Speed Rail Debacle Youtube/American Rail Club



Headlines:


For American high-speed rail, 2020 could be a turning point

CNN Business


Potential Funding for Texas Central High Speed Rail in New Federal Infrastructure Bill

The Texan


Virgin Trains plans extension of LA – Las Vegas high-speed line

Railway Technology


Amtrak’s Private Rooms Provide a Socially Distanced Way to Travel Without Giving up the Views 

Travel & Leisure


Hyperloop: Did Congress Just Take It Mainstream?

Inverse


Hyperloop: Elon Muck Outlines New Event That May Bring It Closer to Reality

Inverse


Boom supersonic jet set for 2021 take off

CNN travel

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