Brightline Orlando Line Construction Part 2: Dallas Blvd to State Road 520 - Oct/Nov 2021

[@MicrobyteAlan]

I knew that borrow pit had to be huge and it is. All I could see was from driving 528. Thanks, great update. You’re doing a real good job documenting this build, it’s greatly appreciated. 👍👍

[@ericneumann8509]

13:47 a beautiful day.

[@Sven_Okas1967]

That was again a very nice movie. Thank you for that. Greetings from Berlin/ Germany. Sven

[@rodneythetall8877]

Great job. Looked like there was a lot of wind but you kept the drone steady.

[@TheJL103]

I’m really excited for this expansion. It will finally show how great high speed rail can be

[@buzzydeft]

As usual...AWESOME!

[@wherespie428]

Their assembling this as fast as heck

[@arrowlogproductions2509]

Can’t wait to ride this next year!

[@VojtovySumavskeVlakyCZ]

Wonderful video like and subscribed from Czech Republic 🙂👍👍👍

[@WX4CB]

nice.. but i can't see that being 125mph at 10:00....... if that was the case then the cars on 528 are doing a helluva lot more LOL - but seriously.... great update as usual

[@RoamingRailfan]

The result of speeding up the video, the cars on the road were going much faster than I was filming so they ended up going faster too

[@skygge1006]

The drone isn’t going 125 it’s more of a timelapse

[@AlliedBroom9081]

again, the greatness of his videos cant be put into words, also, I've been wondering how the Brightline trains will go around the running maintenance facility, will they go through the current fec yard or is there a different route?

[@RoamingRailfan]

They will go past on the existing mainline

[@jennybecerra1104]

The Roaming Railfan, great video! I like your Brightline Construction Update videos! Also what is the song called from 0:45 to 5:15 (the first song)?

[@RoamingRailfan]

It is called Divine Life Society from the KZbin Creators audio library.

[@jennybecerra1104]

@@RoamingRailfan Thanks!

[@thomasboyce1060]

Great work you are doing to show the route and progress. Am wondering how they get the rails to the areas where there is no track already? I know it has been a while since you did this video and hopefully you will be able to answer my question. Keep up with your updates as I look forward to watching each one. Thumbs 👍 up.

[@RoamingRailfan]

They physically drag the rails along the right of way from wherever the track ends to where it will be needed. You can see part of that process in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWPUmpaMeq6peM0

[@thomasboyce1060]

@@RoamingRailfan Thank you for the information. I thought this was the process but thought I would ask to be sure. Thanks again and keep the updates coming 👍.

[@rutheliz75]

Will there be double tracks periodically for trains that meet west of Cocoa ? I wish that Brightline would build wider bridges now so that heavy construction can be over and done with at highway crossings . Thank you for the update.

[@RoamingRailfan]

Initially it will be straight single track from Cocoa to just east of sr417 where the double track will resume the rest of the way to the airport.

[@johncaselli2224]

Thank you Roaming Railfan for the continued excellent videos/ updates, all very professional and educational. Questions, if you would happen to know: 1). In a portion of your video showed what appeared to be a grade crossing where there was the temporary storage of the various components of the signaling system? Is that correct? 2). It appears the rails/ ties are being installed on the westbound side of the right-of-way (ROW)? Where at and how long are the passing sidings? 3). Is there an anticipated time (I.e., year) the double-track will be the entire length of the route? 4). Just a personal observation of the newly ballasted rail and ties in the vicinity of the ROW by the Stanton Coal Fired plant wherein, it appears it’s depth is only approximately 1~2 feet.. is there a reason for the shallow depth of the ballast level? I also really enjoyed you speeding up the video to the 125-mph speed of the train transversing the ROW to give the rider the perspective of the upcoming train travel! Thank you and please continue to keep up the excellent coverage and updates. John

[@RoamingRailfan]

1) that's just a temporary construction access road, there will be no grade crossings when it opens besides a few closed off maintenance access ones. 2) There will be no sidings between Cocoa and where the double track to the airport begins near the 417. It will only take trains about 15-20 minutes to cross the line so passing tracks are not necessary initially. They can be added at a later point if deemed necessary. 3) That all depends on ridership and funding. The more riders means the need for more trains which will speed up that process. 4) Ballast had only started being dropped the week prior so it will likely get more dropped on it as more ballast is delivered.

[@johncaselli2224]

Thank you for answering my questions.

[@jimwilloughby]

%That's a hell of a borrow pit. I always wondered where all the fill that was needed, came from. How many acres were excavated and to what depth?

[@ethanstewart4709]

Why is there a fence all along the right of the way?

[@RoamingRailfan]

Federal requirement due to the speeds on this line to prevent people/animals/etc from getting on the tracks

[@ethanstewart4709]

@@RoamingRailfan does that mean there will be a fence along the whole Orlando line?

[@RoamingRailfan]

Probably

[@2themoon863]

Something I’m not understanding: Why not build all the bridges on the Orlando-Cocoa section to two-track width now, instead of waiting years to build the bridges for a second track then-at potentially far more cost than now? Also, are there any level crossings of the tracks on the Orlando to Cocoa section, like what we see in all of the already existing level crossings on the Cocoa to Miami stretch?

[@RoamingRailfan]

There will not be any grade crossings between Cocoa and Orlando

[@OntarioTrafficMan]

It is just as easy to add a second span later. You can see that the foundations are already laid for a second span, it's just the span itself which needs to be installed. If it's not going to be used yet, better to not install it and start aging without use.

[@Laszlo.42]

Are there plans for Brightline to use CSX. A line from Orlando to Tampa as only Amtrak and a few freights use it? If so it could be upgraded to handle more trains rather than build a new line.

[@RoamingRailfan]

No, it will be a new dedicated line

[@Gruizux]

That's awesome! I do have one question though: Why will there only be one track in most parts here if there's going to be trains going to and from MCO and WPB?

[@RoamingRailfan]

A single track is adequate enough for service when they begin as trains will be able to cross the line in 15-20 minutes in each direction

[@Gruizux]

@@RoamingRailfan So essentially what you are saying is that each train takes turns going from Cocoa - MCO - Cocoa?

[@RoamingRailfan]

Correct, that is what the plan is

[@Gruizux]

@@RoamingRailfan Yeah, that makes sense, thanks!

[@eannamcnamara9338]

I've got a question. The dallas bridge is built so it can be upgraded to double track, but the rest of the right of way doesn'l look it. would that mean another one of those overtaking tracks would be added or would the entire line be double tracked? P.S Also with that new developement at dallas and it's history could a station ever be added? have the new development maybe become transit oriented with mixed use maybe? I think it would be a cool idea.

[@RoamingRailfan]

The entire route will eventually be double tracked

[@eannamcnamara9338]

@@RoamingRailfan that's awsome

[@claudiabellopunto8760]

Are there any stops planned along the way, other than the airport or Cocoa?

[@RoamingRailfan]

When service begins there will be no stops between Orlando and West Palm Beach. Brightline is currently investigating opportunities for additional stations to add after service begins.

[@marckruger2640]

Who owns the extension? FECI?

[@RoamingRailfan]

The land is just leased, Brightline owns the tracks

[@marckruger2640]

@@RoamingRailfan and so they then pay to use the FEC line since it has new ownership with Groupo Mexico? Who’s investing in the new bridges on the FEC line?

[@RoamingRailfan]

Brightline is paying for all of the upgrades to the FEC line.

[@keonikaig9247]

Still lots to do....thx for update... How many miles of track , Orlando - Miami ? ?

[@RoamingRailfan]

The entire route is 235 miles from Orlando to Miami.