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

  • 01 Oct 2010 4:16 PM | Jackson McQuigg (Administrator)

    The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) is interested in buying CSX trackage in Tampa for the planned light rail system there, according to The Tampa Bay Business Journal. 

    CSX has indicated that it would sell, but only if more lines were considered for purchase and existing freight trains could be accomodated.

    Still unknown is whether Hillsborough County voters will approve a transporation sales tax which will be on the November ballot.

    More information on this local option sales tax and the proposed light rail system can be found here: www.movinghillsboroughforward.org.

    --Jackson McQuigg

  • 23 Sep 2010 4:56 PM | Jackson McQuigg (Administrator)

    Friends of Tampa Union Station, Inc., founded by the Coalition in 2008 in cooperation with the City of Tampa, continues to make strides in its efforts to assure the ongoing preservation of Tampa Union Station.

    The minutes of the Friends' latest Board of Directors meeting can be found by clicking here.

    More information about Friends of Tampa Union Station can be found at www.tampaunionstation.com

    --Jackson McQuigg 

  • 23 Sep 2010 4:51 PM | Jackson McQuigg (Administrator)

    Read the press release from Siemens here: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/siemens-velaro-high-speed-train-coming-to-florida-102800189.html

    Siemens is, of course, one of many companies seeking to build or supply equipment to Florida's planned high speed rail system.

    --Jackson McQuigg

  • 16 Sep 2010 5:25 PM | Deleted user
    Amtrak and the Florida Department of Transporation are repotedly near an interim agreement on liability coverage that would allow the SunRail transaction with CSX to proceed.  This agreement will also likely serve as the framework for Amtrak service on Florida East Coast Railway.  A permanent liability agreement is expected to be approved by the Florida state legislature next year. 
  • 13 Sep 2010 4:03 PM | Jackson McQuigg (Administrator)

    A disturbing news story about the Auto-Train, from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

    http://www.ajc.com/news/death-of-amtrak-passenger-612681.html

    --Jackson McQuigg

  • 08 Sep 2010 3:23 PM | Jackson McQuigg (Administrator)

    Good news for Amtrak's Silver Star, as reported in the Tampa Tribune: http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/sep/08/sp-amtrak-silver-star-ridership-increases/news-money/

    --Jackson McQuigg

  • 30 Aug 2010 9:15 AM | Deleted user

    As it has for SunRail, liability insurance provisions in the proposed agreement with Amtrak to begin passenger service on Florida East Coast Railway has become an issue.  Amtrak wants "no fault liability" language in the contract.  Each party would be responsible for its own financial costs from accidents that involve injury or death to passengers and railroad employees. 

    Amtrak's position is they have a national policy of no-fault liability that is an industry-wide standard and is the manner in which Amtrak currently operates its exisitng service within Florida. FDOT seems not to favor this approach for either SunRail or FEC service and it appears to differ from the liability insurance agreement currently in effect between FDOT and Amtrak for operating over the state-owned Tri-Rail track in south Florida.

    The issue may ultimately have to be resolved legislatively when the state legislature convenes next year.  State representative Thad Altman of Viera said he is willing to sponsor such legislation.

    A decision on whether Florida will receive the $250 million federal grant to begin Amtrak service on the FEC is currently expected to be known in October.

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