The Brightline, which will eventually operate high-speed rail service from the Miami area to Orlando, got its first train this week, and showed it off to the press. The line hopes to start partial operation by this summer.
Brightline is the first privately-built passenger railroad in the U.S. in over 100 years. When it starts service, it will be running its new Siemens-built trains between West Palm Beach, Miami and Fort Lauderdale at about 75 mph.
When it completes trackwork to Orlando, perhaps by next year, it will operate at about 125 mph on that stretch; regulations hold it down to 75 in south Florida. Unlike Amtrak, it will not share its rails with freight trains that could slow it down.
Mike Reininger, company president, pointed out that the trains are capable of much high speeds even than 125 mph. He predicts carrying 3 million passengers a year in the first phase of operations, and 5.5 million once the full line is open. He did not discuss specific fares, but the line is designed to be competitive with airlines and the cost of driving.
The trainsets, with four more on order, consist of two locomotives and four passenger cars each. Each train can handle 240 passengers, in 'standard' and 'select' classes. All seats are designed to allow some recline without bothering the passengers behind, and all come with outlets, USB and chargers.
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