Promoting passenger trains as a transportation alternative in Florida since 1983.  We are citizens who advocate for Amtrak, commuter rail, intercity rail and transit for Florida's future.

The Silver Rail Blog

  • 24 Feb 2010 8:34 AM | Stephen Sayles (Administrator)

    Here is a story appearing in Bay News 9 that USF Polytechnic campus will be a stop along the corridor.

    http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2010/2/24/586644.html

    Stephen Sayles
    President FCRP

  • 22 Feb 2010 1:21 PM | Jackson McQuigg (Administrator)

    In a letter to FDOT, Orange County, Florida, Mayor Rich Crotty is calling for a shared station between SunRail and the planned Tampa-Orlando HSR system:

    http://wdbo.com/localnews/2010/02/crotty-says-connect-sunrail-to.html

    Critics have cited the lack of connectivity between SunRail and Amtrak lines and the new high speed system in the current HSR plan.

    At present, the only connections between the Tampa-Orlando high speed line and SunRail/Amtrak would be provided by transit buses.

    Crotty's letter to FDOT can be found by clicking here.

    --Jackson McQuigg

  • 21 Feb 2010 12:06 PM | Jackson McQuigg (Administrator)

    A Japanese company, among many others, is eager to build Florida's high speed rail network, a tampabay.com blog reports.

    Read about the private sector interest in Florida's HSR system here. 

    --Jackson McQuigg

  • 19 Feb 2010 6:37 AM | Stephen Sayles (Administrator)

    This is in response to an article they ran stating Floridians are not supporting HSR or any commuter rail.

    February 16, 2010

    Wall Street Journal
    Alexis Park Building 13
    Alexis Park 1301
    New York, New York
    10036

    Dear Sirs,

    I am writing to you in regards to your recent article that implies that any High Speed Rail HRS attempted in Florida will not only be foolishly spent but a money pit as well. You refer to the voters and residence that have time after time refuted the notion that rail is not the answer.

    First lets note that the voters have been supporters of some sort of commuter rail whether it is conventional or HSR.  Florida has gone from what some say was supposed to be a sleepy little retirement state to one of the fastest growing in the country. Over the years Floridians have become dependent on the highways because quite frankly there was no alternative. These days adding a lane on an interstate to relieve congestion makes as much sense as losing your belt a notch to cure obesity, a temporary fix at best.

    Since 1983, the Coalition and its members throughout Florida have encouraged state, local, and federal leaders to retain, improve, and expand rail services throughout the Sunshine State, including Amtrak services and commuter rail programs like Tri-Rail and SunRail.

    Today, we see a high speed rail system linking Tampa, Orlando, Miami, and Jacksonville as a key part of a healthy passenger rail system for the Sunshine State.

    Cordially yours,

     

    Steve Sayles, President

    Florida Coalition of Rail Passengers

     

    Jackson McQuigg, Secretary

    Florida Coalition of Rail Passengers

  • 13 Feb 2010 12:47 PM | Jackson McQuigg (Administrator)

    For just $69.95, you can help preserve Tampa Union Station and leave your mark in history!

    Friends of Tampa Union Station, established with FCRP's help in 2008, is conducting its Bricks Are Back campaign in which individuals, organizations, families, and businesses can buy a brick paver with an engraved inscription of their choice on it; the bricks will be permanently installed in the walkway in front of Tampa Union Station.

    Proceeds from the brick campaign go to the Tampa Union Station Preservation Fund, a permanent endowment fund at the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay.

    The endowment fund spins off income each year to help support ongoing restoration work at Tampa Union Station.

    Please join the campaign and buy a brick today!

    Order bricks by visiting www.tampaunionstation.com

    --Jackson McQuigg

  • 13 Feb 2010 10:36 AM | Jackson McQuigg (Administrator)

    As the Winter Haven News Chief reports, Auburndale is busy proposing itself as the site of a station for high speed rail:

    http://www.newschief.com/article/20100213/NEWS/2135007/1009/LIVING?Title=Auburndale-wants-high-speed-rail-stop

    --Jackson McQuigg

  • 13 Feb 2010 10:32 AM | Jackson McQuigg (Administrator)

    Local leaders in Polk County benefitted from a presentation this week by FDOT on what high speed rail means to their community.

    The meeting was covered by the Winter Haven News Chief: http://www.newschief.com/article/20100211/NEWS/2115028/1021/NEWS01?Title=FDOT-officials-lay-out-plan-for-high-speed-rail-project

    Still to be determined: the site of a Lakeland station for high speed rail.

    --Jackson McQuigg

  • 11 Feb 2010 1:42 PM | Jackson McQuigg (Administrator)

    Are your elected officials in Tallahassee among the supporters of SunRail and the passenger rail legislation which was passed by the Florida Legislature in December?

    If so, the Orlando Sentinel reports, the Tea Party will work to unseat them in upcoming elections:

    http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_politics/2010/02/precourt-gets-a-tea-party-opponent.html

    --Jackson McQuigg

  • 05 Feb 2010 11:55 AM | Jackson McQuigg (Administrator)

    Amtrak has finally announced its new Fleet Strategy Plan, which will involve the purchase of new equipment.

    The plan, which is contingent on funding, will replace cars which will be as old as 64 years at the time of implementation of the plan.

    --Jackson McQuigg

  • 03 Feb 2010 8:39 AM | Jackson McQuigg (Administrator)

    Although funding for Amtrak service on the Florida East Coast Railway was not included in the Federal high speed rail stimulus funds which Florida received recently, the idea is still very much alive.

    From St. Augustine's newspaper, The Historic City News: 

    http://www.historiccity.com/2010/staugustine/news/florida/amtrak-fec-corridor-coalition-not-dead-yet-2527

    --Jackson McQuigg

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