This was my first ride aboard Brightline. I rode the "Smart" service from Boca Raton down to Miami, then on their "premium" service back to Boca. Let go!
Жүктеу.....
Пікірлер: 889
@NorthCountryTrains Жыл бұрын
Thanks for taking us along on America’s HOTTEST new passenger service!
@newbryford
Жыл бұрын
Brightline isn't that new... I rode it in the first week it opened in January 2018 (on vacation from the UK). As for speeds - my local trains regularly hit 75mph on a 35 mile journey that includes about 9 stops. And that's in a 2-car DMU - never mind a bloated 8000hp on 5 cars on Brightline.
@NorthCountryTrains
Жыл бұрын
@@newbryford For a nation that progresses passenger rail in measures of decades, I would say it’s pretty new.
@birdsofafeather8368
Жыл бұрын
I feel like this is a Stefan reference…
@ohutchie
Жыл бұрын
@@newbryford Remember that these trains will also be used for the up-to-125 mph service to Orlando and later Tampa. The UK has plenty of similar 125 mph diesel intercity services.
@BN3140
Жыл бұрын
@@ohutchie This is like America's HST moment. We've finally caught up to the UK circa 1975.
@timeimp Жыл бұрын
It's so amazing to see regional passenger rail returning to the United States. Hopefully another Golden Age is right around the corner!
@Lilith218
3 ай бұрын
I really really hope so, fingers crossed!
@markydee48 Жыл бұрын
In case anyone was curious to know, Brightline increased train lengths to 5 cars from 4. Hence the lone coach that's a different color from the rest of the train. Ridership has gone up a lot this year.
@richardsmith4187
Жыл бұрын
I hope to see the day when Brightline trains will have 8-10 passenger cars. I think rail service is really going to catch on with Floridians and visitors alike.
@jcspotter7322
Жыл бұрын
@richardsmith4187 the stations are made to handle up to 7 passenger cars (I believe)
@jonathanaina7754
11 ай бұрын
No wonder I see a blue in a bright orange set in Aventura
@wayneyadams
10 ай бұрын
@@richardsmith4187 I don't. All that will happen is more traffic at the stations, and more people to contend with in the stations. Bigger is not always better.
@NVRAMboi Жыл бұрын
Great video Danny and thanks for taking us along. I am very hopeful for the future of Brightline. They seem to be committed to making the line an attractive/safe/clean/fast way to go. They're killing all of the decades long criticisms of rail travel in the USA. God bless the FEC.
@wainber1
Жыл бұрын
Hopefully Brightline won’t take the maintenance of whatever signals whose maintenance it’s responsible for for granted because as last week’s fatal train crash in the eastern Indian state of Odisha made clear, failure to properly maintain signals can lead to disaster.
@danielcobbins8861
Жыл бұрын
There are two tracks, here in Ft. Pierce, and FEC uses both. I thought only one was for FEC use only, And Brightline had its own exclusive track.
@garykuipers2696 Жыл бұрын
I hope that the different transit agencies in the Northeast take notice of Brightline Rail. I'm a retired conductor from NJ Transit and would like to see these improvements on NJT territory. Excellent coverage and your narration is smooth and professional. I noticed that most crossings on the Brightline route are quad gates and horn free zones. I certainly hope the riding public respects this wonderful rail equipment.
@jickmccivy6327
Жыл бұрын
We all have hopes and dreams but the southern end runs down the middle of Dixie Hwy and people love to short cut across the tracks and the train is fast and Spooky quite.
@galigiri
11 ай бұрын
No. We have weekly accidents. Only non-Floridians like Brightline. It’s an unaffordable, inconvenient POS that worsens traffics
@brandons2199
10 ай бұрын
these would be a hit in this area of the country
@kevinkevinkevin1909
10 ай бұрын
Rebadged Chinese train made by Qindao, located Tangshan China. Not riding on that low quality train of embarrassment with shabby business deals with US politicians allowing communist Chinese to build important US infrastructures. Not safe.
@BBT609 Жыл бұрын
To answer some questions you had, and to add some more knowledge for ya: The Brightline station was built next to the bus terminal in Fort Lauderdale as an interchange point. Smart move! The Orlando section has no railroad crossings. The now southernmost searchlight are now Bayard siding, the first siding heading south on the FEC and the last one heading north. all of the old signals including Palm Bay South and North are now gone. I have pictures of Palm Bay South and North as well as Pineda South. Pineda South I got pictures of ONE WEEK before they were removed and I didn’t even know it! EXCELLENT VIDEO DH!!
@distantsignal
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Brylon!
@BBT609
Жыл бұрын
@@distantsignalalways! For the doll arm, I saw that signal back in February and it stunned me too, I’m guessing with the FEC it’s means this small signal is for the track next to it, or if anything no use at all.
@Ronprower Жыл бұрын
So glad to see commuter rail expanding in the US. Train travel is so relaxing and easy and I hope it keeps growing!
@hounddog946
10 ай бұрын
Flying sucks
@agems56
10 ай бұрын
The more planes we remove from the skies that are nothing more than a fancy commuter taxi when used domestically the better! Each jet uses 3 to 4 gallons per engine per second of fuel at takeoff!
@wayneyadams
10 ай бұрын
Rail is more relaxing, but it is also so much more expensive for trips of any great length, not to mention the time. If I want to travel from Miami to anywhere in the mid-west or west, I have to geo way out of the way taking at least two trains and spending a couple of thousand dollars or more for some kind of sleeper for the three or four day trip.
@wayneyadams
10 ай бұрын
@@agems56 Passenger service is generally a money losing business for railroads which is why it had to be nationalized into Amtrak. Freight is where the money is to be made.
@mikec2012
9 ай бұрын
@@agems56it's all about choice... I'd rather have a balance of all 3 and more competition than banning one to boost another.
@Shadowbass Жыл бұрын
Loved your show for years. I have learned more about modern railroads from your show than I have learned anywhere else. That Brightline is passenger rail done right!
@kevinkevinkevin1909
10 ай бұрын
Rebadged Chinese train made by Qindao, located Tangshan China. Not riding on that low quality train of embarrassment with shabby business deals with US politicians allowing communist Chinese to build important US infrastructures. Not safe.
@CarsSimplified Жыл бұрын
Dang, Miami is growing fast! Seems like all of Florida is growing quickly. Brightline definitely has some great branding/style! Definitely good advice from your IT friend! I never use any public connection that is designed specifically to handle data.
@JonManProductions
Жыл бұрын
All of FL is growing rapidly, so much faster than anytime I've seen in all my life living here, governmental "shenanigans" aside... new homes and apartments are growing like grass, highway infrastructure is getting redone everywhere for the better and of course a slow but sure growth of new life for passenger high speed regional rail... I hope one day I can ride a train from Tampa to Miami if Brightline can keep the growth up. :)
@Blaze6432
Жыл бұрын
@JonManProductions I know! I live in the Tampa are but I like to travel not only within the state but internationally as well. Having Brightline would give me such a a convenient way to access the airports in Miami and Orlando.
@luislaplume8261
Жыл бұрын
Wait til my old hometown of NYC goes bankrupt and both the New York Stock Exchange and the New York Bond Exchange moves to Miami. It will be like the roaring 1920s and 1960s put together! 😁
@wayneyadams
Жыл бұрын
You are correct, we are growing at a crazy fast rate. People who yearn to be free of the tyranny of Democrat run states and big cities emigrate here by the thousands and tens of thousands.
@wayneyadams
Жыл бұрын
@@luislaplume8261 Do you think the will rename themselves the Miami Stock Exchange (MSE) and Miami Bond Exchange? LOL
@Goldeneye48 Жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing your Brightline experience. I wish Amtrak can upgrade to this level of service network wide and give the airline industry a run for it's money.
@daniellewis1789
Жыл бұрын
It takes, apparently, 10b$ for hourly service along a 200 mile stretch. Compare the upcoming 5 trips a day from Raleigh to Charlotte for around $700m (Piedmont and Carolinian).
@robertolebron2296
Жыл бұрын
@@daniellewis1789 aren’t Brightline still making profit regardless of that $10B dollars per hour of operation
@daniellewis1789
Жыл бұрын
@@robertolebron2296 They're making an operational profit, not an overall profit. That is, daily track use fees and fuel and electricity and staffing and all that stuff are covered by tickets, but the build cost isn't considered for that sort of "profitable". Transit should generally not need to make a profit, though adequate cost recovery is important. Brightline wouldn't run a lot of Amtrak services because they can't make money on station-adjacent real estate.
@ericbaier Жыл бұрын
"Keep your foot hard on that pedal, and never mind them brakes" A well placed lyric.
@BNSFTrains10 Жыл бұрын
16:50 The Amtrak Logo was called the Pointless Arrow and it was seen on engines like the F and E Units and the SDP40F the logo would appear on Stations but many of those logos were replaced with the Travel mark logo in the 2000s and 2010s.
@D.O.T.D. Жыл бұрын
This is the closest I'll ever get to Premium Class Seems like the golden age of Passenger Rail Transport is coming back to the US since the 1900s! Great video as always, Danny. Edit: What are your tips of filming in a public coach? I sometimes try to make B-Roll in some Trains, but I don't want to make other people uncomfortable.
@enjoyslearningandtravel7957
Жыл бұрын
I’m not a KZreadr but I’d say if you do any close-ups instead of just crowd scenes then to blur out the faces of the people and tell them that you’re doing that if they ask and feel uncomfortable. In Europe, I believe it’s the law to blur the faces unless it’s a big crowd scene
@dkbmaestrorules
Жыл бұрын
@@enjoyslearningandtravel7957 varies by country, but there certainly are European countries where that's true.
@enjoyslearningandtravel7957
Жыл бұрын
@@dkbmaestrorules yes I’m sure it varies by country in Europe since there’s so many different countries,in Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Central, Europe, etc. and, of course, the law would not be all the same.
@enjoyslearningandtravel7957
Жыл бұрын
@@dkbmaestrorules I’m just giving the man who asked for suggestions about how to film if people were uncomfortable with that. There may be people that film anyway even if people don’t like it, or they may be a different suggestion, that might be better that I haven’t thought of.
@royreynolds108 Жыл бұрын
Nice. I have been following The Roaming Railfan on his channel. The No 32 turnout is all-welded and the frog has a moveable point with two switch motors. If Brightline doesn't use his videos or get him to combine his videos into a construction documentary, they are plain crazy; his videos are in that class.
@richardsmith4187
Жыл бұрын
He needs to get a lifetime free pass on Brightline as he has done a fantastic job in documenting the whole process. And your right I hope a full length construction video could be produced.
@paveloleynikov4715 Жыл бұрын
You really managed to catch that "golden era rail promotion film" vibe this time
@mendyedson1825 Жыл бұрын
Great video. I am glad to see railroads growing. Brightline looks like an excellent ride.
@dickdaley9059 Жыл бұрын
Danny, I can sense your joy and amazement experiencing what Brightline has accomplished. Just thrilled to see quality passenger service restored to the riding public. Maybe our Amtrak friends can take a few notes.
@jovetj
Жыл бұрын
I just hope it STAYS quality. It's easy to be all gung ho at the start, but eventually the spray paint will move in, the trash and dirt will pile up, and it will be the same garbage we're used to.
@bwcbiz
Жыл бұрын
Brightline isn't beholden to congress. If you ever wonder why Amtrak services stop in some very "out of the way" places and it isn't at least a hundred miles from the next stop in either direction, it's probably because they needed to get a funding vote from a particular congress-critter. OTOH, for rural US on the long-distance routes, a lot of these stops are the only transport that's there...riding Amtrak to get to the closest city with a decent airport is often the best option.
@alexnorfolksouthernmedia
Жыл бұрын
Hi Danny! This video makes me wanna go there just to ride the train. I hope Brightline can keep those nice shiny cars clean and spotless!
@cinthb Жыл бұрын
Thanks Danny. I'm hoping to visit Orlando this year via Amtrak Silver Star and make my way to the new Brightline airport terminus once it opens for travel. It's great to have this available for across state travel. We know the next expansion will be our home Tampa route, but like you, I'm not waiting to experience the new line.
@richardsmith4187
Жыл бұрын
I also can't wait until Brightline gets here to Tampa !!!!! I will be riding every weekend headed south for weekend get aways. I think they could put a station near downtown Tampa but anywhere they put it will be fine with me. " Have Train Will Travel " LOL
@robertolebron2296
Жыл бұрын
When does it open for travel? Gonna plan to head to Orlando on the 4th of July weekend
@vrmntthb Жыл бұрын
No shortage of workers for such an endeavor down there… from the track laying to the engineers running the consists…. Great stuff as usual Dan and we thank you…
@CoffeeTech
11 ай бұрын
Lol great stuff? It’s privately owned and operated. Dan didn’t have shit to do with it
@johnpurdum8126 Жыл бұрын
That Bright line train looks nice. They're building a line from the high desert out by Los Angeles to Las Vegas in next few years. Construction is supposed to start later this year.
@kens.3729 Жыл бұрын
You just Know it’s going to be a Great Day when you get a Notification from Danny Harmon on the Distant Signal KZread Channel. Great job as Always. 👍🙏
@rherman9085
Жыл бұрын
I was thinking the same thing.
@kens.3729
Жыл бұрын
@@rherman9085 Great Minds Think Alike! 😬👍
@Honestware Жыл бұрын
Great as usual... A couple of notes. Yes, you were riding on a promotional weekend, but the premium fares are rarely if ever discounted. The hand dryer that you displayed in the station are the same ones that are also onboard the train. Actually, you don't have to tap it, the entire restroom is touchless. If you just put your hand under the dryer the dryer will start.
@koot421
11 ай бұрын
Haha, thank you. Saw that and thought the same thing, "Doesn't make sense to touch something after watching your hands." Also a quick tip...avoid using the hand dryer if the sink still has water/suds in it. Otherwise you risk having it blow back on you.
@MakeItWithCalvin Жыл бұрын
I looked up the rates for a ticket on their site for Boca > Miami in late July and rates vary depending on the travel time slot you chose. The cheapest for Smart tickets appears to be the off-peak hours, 6:00 AM departure gets you a $12.50 ticket, while a 7:00 AM departure bumps to $29.50! Also, if you get a Premium off-peak it is $37 for a 6:00 AM departure and $52 for a 7:00 AM departure. In my opinion, the Premium ticket seems worth it if you intend to use some of the station amenities such as the snack bar/drinks as those add up FAST! That said if you just need to get from A to B in a hurry, stick with Smart. If I ever make it out that way, riding that is on my to-do list! Thanks for putting this together as always Danny.
@RealizniguhNit
11 ай бұрын
Not much more than gas depending on what your driving considering the traffic in soflo
@rich_rich90 Жыл бұрын
As UK resident who often watches your vids, it's great to see certain areas of the US re-embracing rail passenger travel. For short-middle distances it's a brilliant alternative to air travel & puts you right in the centre of urban areas. The ultimate goal would be Brightline to fully electrify & go for Siemens high speed locomotives.
@merlijnwiersma7801 Жыл бұрын
In The Netherlands a first class one way ticket for an hour long train ride will set you back about $34. For that money, you get a seat. So that $54 for a premium ticket with complementary lounge and snacks seems reasonable...
@ronw59 Жыл бұрын
You looked like a kid that had just gotten a new toy, Dan! Thanks for sharing your 'discovery ride' on Florida's new system. Always great to see a new video of yours. Take care & stay healthy. From one of your ardent Canuck viewers.
@VirtualRailfan Жыл бұрын
Sounds like a great trip, and another great video!
@distantsignal
Жыл бұрын
Many thanks!
@andross51 Жыл бұрын
Thanks Danny for taking us on this amazing premium bright line ride for all of us to enjoy! Your videos continue to amaze me! Keep them coming! :)
@bryant3825 Жыл бұрын
Its awesome you got to review Brightline, Dan. I live in South Florida well Miami, but I have ridden on Brightline a couple of times since its introduction and I got to say its quality service. Not only that they are planning to run from Miami to Orlando trains every hour which is fantastic it does feel like an airline on the ground but in a very good way. Even though I am going for the Aerospace Industry (Space Sector more specifically). I think Brightline has the potential of providing us Floridians another way of traveling besides car and airplane. I hope they consider extensions to Jacksonville and a stop at Cocoa, since with that I can go to Cape Canaveral and to NASA easily. Anyways great coverage Dan, and that taco place looks great, I should check it out when I get free time. I like that we are getting another way to get to Orlando that is not of a car, bus or airplane. I hope Brightline will be implanted to more places in the United States.
@ARP_GA Жыл бұрын
Awesome video Danny! Thanks for taking us all along on this amazing trip
@mikewikman516410 ай бұрын
Danny, great to hear from you. I never miss any of your videos. all of them great. I am an 89 year old retired Road foreman of engine from the DL&W,EL CNJ MP Amtrak. Love the industry always have 62 years on the Railroad..
@Wordchipper9 ай бұрын
Wow....first look at Brightline rail - excellent job by the host, the videography and editing. Well done!
@shawnpowell5876 Жыл бұрын
Great video and tutorial as well as taking us along on the new Brightline Rail System! Definitely a 1st Class ride with the amenities to boot! That FEC GEEP was rolling through with those Stone Cars! Thanks again Danny for sharing this video with us along with your PRICELESS time and effort! Cheers from Laurel, Delaware USA.
@LtKernelPanic Жыл бұрын
I've been spoiled by European trains on the couple vacations I've taken there and will almost always take a train over flying when possible. Honestly I quite enjoyed taking the train from Berlin to London last month even though I could have flown in a little over half the time. Glad to see Brightline having success there. Maybe it'll spur interest in other parts of the country.
@noahzunker Жыл бұрын
This is the best train video I’ve ever watched. This feels like a callback to the best history channel shows I watched as a kid. Fantastic
@RCAvhstape Жыл бұрын
That bit about the free taxi rides might be the key to reviving rail travel. One of the biggest problems with Amtrak is the "last mile problem", where passengers get to their destination city but then need to find a way to get from the station to wherever they are going. A lot of train stations don't have taxi stands or car rentals nearby. If you build a taxi ride into the price of the ticket, say, one ride from your house to the origin station, and another from the destination station to the final goal, that makes it easier to ride.
@scot5177 Жыл бұрын
I am so looking forward to Brightline West. If we are lucky they will break ground this latter in 2023. Thank you for this ride!
@CentralPennRailProductions Жыл бұрын
Good report, thank you Danny! Now waiting for the rest of the country to catch up with commendable service like this. Also thanks for taking the time to get some last minute search light documentation in before it's too late!
@lobsterman578610 ай бұрын
Great Update! Your love of trains is very apparent, lots of great info! Thanks😊
@jameseubanks1509 Жыл бұрын
Great video, Danny! Siemens must think that between this kind of operation and the Amtrak upgrades, the east coast is going to grow. Siemens Mobility recently chose Lexington, NC, as their new home to a new $220+ million advanced manufacturing and rail services facility. This is just east of Charlotte, NC on the main north-south line. That's 500 new jobs!
@nigelprice3929 Жыл бұрын
Greetings from the UK Danny. Just wanted to say how interesting this video it was comparing your experience to travel here in the UK. Most of our inter city trains look like the train you travelled on. Many miss the concept of a standalone loco and passenger carriages but those are now heritage or specials only. One massive difference is freight. Our freight trains are a fraction of the length of yours but frequency is much more often. In the UK we have the concept of spotting. Less popular than it was. The idea being to record the numbers of all the locos you see. Books are published every year with a list of all locos and the idea is to try to see them all. Do you have such a concept in the US ? All the best
@rockercover Жыл бұрын
The $50.00 (+or-) fare for a 1-2 hour business class ride on Amtrak, in at least one area of the country, seems to be a *fair-market* price. 😊 Bright-line is shiner / newer and the lounge looks 😳. I do remember you saying you received a good price for your return premium-class ticket. Thanks for taking us along. First time riding along on Bright-line.
@joeevans6921 Жыл бұрын
Brightline is G R E A T !! We're in Weeki Wachee, Fl and took Amtrak from Tampa to West Palm Beach to get on Brightline to go to Miami. What a difference between trains. Love Brightline. The one thing you forgot to mention is on Brightline, after each stop, the cart lady also has free spirits with soda in premium seating!!! Can't wait to do Orlando to Miami & Tampa will be coming on line soon. Love you channel. Joe
@EL-nc1cs Жыл бұрын
Thanks Danny, Great Ride experience YES 5 Stars!!! Appreciate sharing your positive BL experience !! Last Sunday my woman and my youngest enjoyed the day riding premium up to Palm Beach from Fort Lauderdale. We enjoyed every moment, clean stations, very personable Bright Line staff and comfortable ride. At the Palm Beach station you can catch the free golf cart taxi's out front and hang out at City Place (Now called The square) for lunch and shopping. We're now planning a long weekend on BL up to Orlando this fall. GO BRIGHT LINE!!!!!!!!
@wayneyadams Жыл бұрын
I want to do a Brightline premium ride just for the fun of it, like you did. Mine will be a little more involved. I have a Tri-Rail station not too far away, so I am going to ride Tri-Rail to Metro-Rail then take the Metro Mover (free) to the Miami Brightline Station. I am going to ride on four different systems. The hardest part is getting the timing right on the outbound ride, so I don't miss the Brightline. The cool thing about the ride is that the tracks pass right behind the last school I taught at in Miami before retiring. In fact, shortly after i retired, the faculty parking lot was taken over by the railroad to add the second track.
@douglaspierce8480 Жыл бұрын
I'm really glad to see that someone is advancing passenger rail.
@Pensyfan19 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for covering America's greatest passenger railroad! I too feel Brightline's privately funded passenger model is the key to bringing forth more passenger service in the U.S. in a quick, efficient and high quality manner.
@rickn501s Жыл бұрын
Thanks for making this video. While it's not high speed rail, it is a step in the right direction. I wish we had Brightline service here (Palm Springs, CA) at any speed. There's no passenger service to speak of between here and Los Angeles, or Phoenix to the East. Brightline is building rail service between San Bernardino (LA) and Las Vegas. That should take away our Indian casino crowd when it's finished. What a hard way to learn a lesson. Way to go, Brightline!
@JonathanCLacy10 ай бұрын
By far the BEST video I've seen about the Blightline. Thank you!
@steveneff72233 ай бұрын
Really enjoy your Videos. I've been a railfan Since I was a kid living in Northeast Ohio growing up in Cuyahoga Falls north of Akron where a busy CSX main line double track still operates through downtown, a park & Munroe Falls just east. I could hear the trains from my house less than 2 miles from 3 crossings in the area sometimes every 5-10 minutes apart! I also go to a park & siding at downtown Kent, same CSX line just east of the Falls where I take phone videos myself of the trains here. Thanks for the great stories & Videos. Steve N. Akron-Kent, Ohio
@kingdza Жыл бұрын
You got a very good voice, sounds like a radio man, love it! Hope to ride the train from Miami to Orlando when the station opens
@redmountainstation65519 ай бұрын
Well Done, comprehensive, inclusive and informative. Great narration dialog, Thank you.
@shortconcert Жыл бұрын
My old stomping grounds! Met my wife at the Revolution concert venue right across from where you had lunch. We had our first date just a few doors down at Fat Cat's bar. Thanks for the great content!
@coolhotlantan Жыл бұрын
Another great video Danny! I was offered a job as an Engineer at Brightline when I was at SCFE but being only a few years from retirement, I declined. I always enjoy your videos because they are so well done!
@Canesfan7012 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for taking us along for this in-depth rider expedition. Brightline is impressive.
@roypreuninger4516 Жыл бұрын
Thank you! Thank you! Can't get enough, but I appreciate all the hours you put into your productions. BrightLine couldn't buy a better promotional video.
@penguinmaster7 Жыл бұрын
this is my favorite railfanning channel in all of uniform. Not only do you get to see great views of trains, but you always come away learning something new.
@chief1b Жыл бұрын
I had a chance to ride Brightline twice and give it high marks for service. They are Great. Thanks Danny another outstanding video. Cheers!
@andresbraud11 ай бұрын
Excellent presentation and well spoken! Thank you!
@Qrail Жыл бұрын
Looks like a first class operation. Thanks for showing it off, Danny.
@acidhelm Жыл бұрын
Wow, those trains are really posh! They sure beat the dingy old Gallery and Bombardier cars that I have to ride for my commute.
@jamesrobinson4769 Жыл бұрын
I love the roaming rail, fan videos on bright line trains his videos are awesome. He keeps up-to-date on what’s happening bright line.
@Jet1672 Жыл бұрын
Hopefully brightline decides to make stations in northern florida
@GBULL_ADV_1982
Жыл бұрын
Imagine brightline through Folkston, GA
@petercruikshank2618
Жыл бұрын
We are anxiously waiting for the Tampa connection!
@Jet1672
Жыл бұрын
@@petercruikshank2618 yeah but northern florida area has NOTHING in terms of brightline not even commuters to Jacksonville as the people making the budget are to focused on making suburbs and car centric infrastructure
@jdmills4370 Жыл бұрын
8:20 nice nod to Jerry Reed….. “Let it all hang out ‘cause we got a run to make”
@michaelgallo9173 Жыл бұрын
I commute from south Brevard every workday and have observed the construction of the tracks since they fell the first trees in the right of way. Looking forward to my round trip premium ride from Orlando to Miami. Thanks Danny for all your videos!
@itsnotme0711 ай бұрын
Love what Brightline is doing and it seems that everyone who rides on it agrees. Hopefully they can pull off everything to MCO and beyond and even the high speed rail between Las Vegas and LA. Great review!
@happyhome41 Жыл бұрын
What a wonderful report - railroading by a railroad man - how refreshing. Particularly appreciate the "spice" of the thermite application in practice. Thank you.
@HyperActive7 Жыл бұрын
What sold me was the beer on tap in the lounge to go with your view of Downtown Miami.
@geoffreybradford Жыл бұрын
Ft Lauderdale! My Happy Place for 24 years until I left to start a new job in another city. That New River railroad bridge location was one of my favorite hangout spots. Thanks for another great video !
@distantsignal
Жыл бұрын
Many thanks, Geoff!
@mikesmith4644 Жыл бұрын
Very cool to see this. We can only dream of efficient passenger rail service here in Pennsylvania. All of your videos are my favorite, Danny, keep up the great work!
@curtdunlap6818 Жыл бұрын
Certainly a colorful buggy, and what a great way to thumb your nose to the airlines! Thanks for the trip!
@isaacishere603410 ай бұрын
It’s so nice to see more people using the service. Hopefully when Orlando opens there will be packed trains and stations signaling a desire for more rail service🤞🏼
@saleendriver Жыл бұрын
I'm sure you know of the channel The Roaming Railfan.....he's been doing weekly updates of the Brightline construction project. And yes, from Cocoa to Orlando International there are no at grade crossings. 125mph shot from the Cocoa Tunnel the OIA. Should be fun.
@davidsimmons9763
Жыл бұрын
He gives a shout out to The Roaming Railfan at the end!
@Jumpingoffthecliff11 ай бұрын
Your videos are so well done. Thanks for another entertaining and informative video.
@MikeInPlano Жыл бұрын
Great video. Good to hear Brightline is living up to what it was purported to be. My wife and I just got back from Italy. We rode trains several times, and that experience is much like what you describe here. Clean, comfortable cars in great condition (with restrooms of the same quality). A car cleaning porter equipped with a vacuum cleaner passed by multiple times on each of our trips, We rode Business Class, one level below Premium, and higher that two other levels. Got a "welcome aboard" package upon departure that featured several tasty snacks. Complimentary beverages, too. Trains arrive and depart promptly on schedule, typically with just 10 minutes to board or de-board at terminal stops. Much less at intermediate stops. Trains are popular transportation over automobiles due to cost of fuel, and offer frequent, reliable service between just about every major and secondary city in the country, with ongoing service across the border into the rest of Europe. Trains we rode were just about full every time. And absolutely no at-grade crossings. Also very low grades, if at all. Hills were handled with cuts or tunnels. Speed often reach 150 mph for long stretches. Sounds and looks like Brightline is trying to emulate the European experience, and doing very well at it. I live in Dallas, and hold out hope that Texas Central, the private high speed rail venture, won't die on the vine due to the NIMBY forces at work. Brightline is proof that the concept works when properly designed and implemented.
@RABSTRAINS10 ай бұрын
OUTSTANDING! I hope they expand all over the country. We need a passenger rail system in Cincinnati. We needs this in our country. Honestly Amtrak is the pits.
@joshuahill61538 ай бұрын
Auckland, New Zealand is a great example of how a system similar to Brightline with a small start can go to an expansive oasis. It went from 1950s GE locomotives in a push-pull configuration running at 20-30 minute intervals on archaic single line infranstructure to electric trains going 100km/h within 10 years.
@johnpontin9276 Жыл бұрын
Danny..your videos are simply the best. Thx so much. Regards, John
@michaelburroughs7494 Жыл бұрын
You make really good interesting videos. I always watch them clear to the end. Keep up the good work.
@pattieb821411 ай бұрын
This is the best explanation of Brightline I have seen. Very professional without being boring. Also, you have a fantastic voice!
@distantsignal
11 ай бұрын
That's a very nice compliment. Many thanks!
@DC984810 ай бұрын
Absolute gem of an video of the new brightline track! Keep up the great work, so happy to see rail picking up steam in the U.S. also, with a lot of rail love from Europe!
@explorer914 Жыл бұрын
By the way. Termite welding also involves melting a metal powder charge that flows in to a space that has been made between the two rails. A worker puts a ceramic form aroud the rail ends and then preheat the ends. So one could say it's a casting method.
@II3asyII Жыл бұрын
Now that’s an adventure right there!
@aphill22086 ай бұрын
I have always loved trains! I have ridden the Amtrak about 3 times, but this is so futureristic, I wish this service much success and I hope it spreads around the states, I can't believe I had not heard of it, in advertising 😮
@rrelectric5159 Жыл бұрын
Your videos are always well done and interesting. Thanks for making this a fun update on the Brightline!
@DiscoveringJapan16 ай бұрын
I live in Tokyo now, and considering using Florida's newest rail experience when I visit next year. It seems like a FAAARRR cry from the perfectly run electric train system and high speed shinkansen of Japan though!
@gregbowen617 Жыл бұрын
Great video Danny, it’s terrific to see investment in passenger rail infrastructure in the USA! Let’s hope it spreads across the country… cheers from Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺!
@nathankramer130610 ай бұрын
Thanks for the video. I’m a Floridian in Europe right now and getting very used to train transit. Can’t wait to use this when I get home.
@elcastorgrande Жыл бұрын
Thanks Danny, glad you're back.
@keithmoore5306 Жыл бұрын
Danny in thermite welding the magnesium starts the reaction by heating the mixture to the point of ignition then the powdered aluminum strips the oxygen from the iron oxide to sustain it's combustion which basically smelts the iron like in a steel mill and it runs molten into the form around the rail ends to be welded!
@harrisonofcolorado8886 Жыл бұрын
I think Brightline will be a railroad that can encourage other rail projects in America to be completed or become reality.
@Jabba.Da.Hutt_
Жыл бұрын
I think so too
@tpajay10 ай бұрын
In 2018, we took Brightline roundtrip between West Palm & Miami in the premium car both ways. At the time, it was $26.00 each way & nice service. In September 2023, I'm flying into Orlando & taking Brightline to West Palm because the flights to Orlando were more convenient than to West Palm. I booked the one way fare in premium for $189.00 on my train. Looking forward to the service but they are having 16 daily trains between Orlando & Miami in EACH direction. It will interesting to see if the demand for that many trains will be met. I noticed that coach between Orlando & West Palm was $79.00 & you have to pay $25.00 for the 1st bag, $50.00 for the 2nd but it jumps to $125.00 for 3 bags.
@steveamurray59 Жыл бұрын
Excellent as always Danny. I remember reading about this line and it's construction years back, it good to see people are taking it under their wings, should be proud. When the Airport links comes online it will only get better. New services, new stations, new clean trains ! Be Proud ! Look forward to our next adventure. Thanks Danny, Steve from Sydney.
@gazbag78 Жыл бұрын
I think i was about 13 years old when amtrack first started service and that sign you just received was the original logo of amtrack. the folloing year we took the zepher cross country and i fell in love with train travel.... Happy trails on polished rails my friend.
@southmassrailfan Жыл бұрын
Brightline is an absolutely awesome, modern, passenger service.
@johnfoote116811 ай бұрын
Thank you so much for an enlightening view of the new Brightline, i love the Florida area and hope i can visit some time, you have so much knowledge that is being shared and there are many of us that will learn from your experience, we look forward to your future videos.
@djor316 Жыл бұрын
Thank you Mr Danny for bringing us along. I watch everytime I get a notification. I live up north in Maryland. Have been to Florida but never in South Florida. I appreciate all you do for us.
@roelofvenema6500 Жыл бұрын
Great good video, mr Danny Harmon. This looks good for Florida. Nice trains clean, nice fresh colors. Top👍👌. Greet from Zandvoort the Netherlands.
@Flyby-1000 Жыл бұрын
I really, really, really, really, really hope that the Brightline extension to Tamp happens... Right now I commute weekly to MCO for work from St. Pete... I rent a room near the airport to stay during my work week.... We were thinking about moving to the Orlando area for my work, but it's too expensive there and we love where we live now... If Brightline gets moving forward with the TPA extension, I'd be able to come home every night because the train will be a hell of a lot faster than driving 2 hours for a lousy 100 miles on I-4.....
@hughmartell7987 Жыл бұрын
All is right with the world when Danny presents a new video! Thank you, Sir!! Greetings from Vancouver, Canada.
Пікірлер: 889
Thanks for taking us along on America’s HOTTEST new passenger service!
@newbryford
Жыл бұрын
Brightline isn't that new... I rode it in the first week it opened in January 2018 (on vacation from the UK). As for speeds - my local trains regularly hit 75mph on a 35 mile journey that includes about 9 stops. And that's in a 2-car DMU - never mind a bloated 8000hp on 5 cars on Brightline.
@NorthCountryTrains
Жыл бұрын
@@newbryford For a nation that progresses passenger rail in measures of decades, I would say it’s pretty new.
@birdsofafeather8368
Жыл бұрын
I feel like this is a Stefan reference…
@ohutchie
Жыл бұрын
@@newbryford Remember that these trains will also be used for the up-to-125 mph service to Orlando and later Tampa. The UK has plenty of similar 125 mph diesel intercity services.
@BN3140
Жыл бұрын
@@ohutchie This is like America's HST moment. We've finally caught up to the UK circa 1975.
It's so amazing to see regional passenger rail returning to the United States. Hopefully another Golden Age is right around the corner!
@Lilith218
3 ай бұрын
I really really hope so, fingers crossed!
In case anyone was curious to know, Brightline increased train lengths to 5 cars from 4. Hence the lone coach that's a different color from the rest of the train. Ridership has gone up a lot this year.
@richardsmith4187
Жыл бұрын
I hope to see the day when Brightline trains will have 8-10 passenger cars. I think rail service is really going to catch on with Floridians and visitors alike.
@jcspotter7322
Жыл бұрын
@richardsmith4187 the stations are made to handle up to 7 passenger cars (I believe)
@jonathanaina7754
11 ай бұрын
No wonder I see a blue in a bright orange set in Aventura
@wayneyadams
10 ай бұрын
@@richardsmith4187 I don't. All that will happen is more traffic at the stations, and more people to contend with in the stations. Bigger is not always better.
Great video Danny and thanks for taking us along. I am very hopeful for the future of Brightline. They seem to be committed to making the line an attractive/safe/clean/fast way to go. They're killing all of the decades long criticisms of rail travel in the USA. God bless the FEC.
@wainber1
Жыл бұрын
Hopefully Brightline won’t take the maintenance of whatever signals whose maintenance it’s responsible for for granted because as last week’s fatal train crash in the eastern Indian state of Odisha made clear, failure to properly maintain signals can lead to disaster.
@danielcobbins8861
Жыл бұрын
There are two tracks, here in Ft. Pierce, and FEC uses both. I thought only one was for FEC use only, And Brightline had its own exclusive track.
I hope that the different transit agencies in the Northeast take notice of Brightline Rail. I'm a retired conductor from NJ Transit and would like to see these improvements on NJT territory. Excellent coverage and your narration is smooth and professional. I noticed that most crossings on the Brightline route are quad gates and horn free zones. I certainly hope the riding public respects this wonderful rail equipment.
@jickmccivy6327
Жыл бұрын
We all have hopes and dreams but the southern end runs down the middle of Dixie Hwy and people love to short cut across the tracks and the train is fast and Spooky quite.
@galigiri
11 ай бұрын
No. We have weekly accidents. Only non-Floridians like Brightline. It’s an unaffordable, inconvenient POS that worsens traffics
@brandons2199
10 ай бұрын
these would be a hit in this area of the country
@kevinkevinkevin1909
10 ай бұрын
Rebadged Chinese train made by Qindao, located Tangshan China. Not riding on that low quality train of embarrassment with shabby business deals with US politicians allowing communist Chinese to build important US infrastructures. Not safe.
To answer some questions you had, and to add some more knowledge for ya: The Brightline station was built next to the bus terminal in Fort Lauderdale as an interchange point. Smart move! The Orlando section has no railroad crossings. The now southernmost searchlight are now Bayard siding, the first siding heading south on the FEC and the last one heading north. all of the old signals including Palm Bay South and North are now gone. I have pictures of Palm Bay South and North as well as Pineda South. Pineda South I got pictures of ONE WEEK before they were removed and I didn’t even know it! EXCELLENT VIDEO DH!!
@distantsignal
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Brylon!
@BBT609
Жыл бұрын
@@distantsignalalways! For the doll arm, I saw that signal back in February and it stunned me too, I’m guessing with the FEC it’s means this small signal is for the track next to it, or if anything no use at all.
So glad to see commuter rail expanding in the US. Train travel is so relaxing and easy and I hope it keeps growing!
@hounddog946
10 ай бұрын
Flying sucks
@agems56
10 ай бұрын
The more planes we remove from the skies that are nothing more than a fancy commuter taxi when used domestically the better! Each jet uses 3 to 4 gallons per engine per second of fuel at takeoff!
@wayneyadams
10 ай бұрын
Rail is more relaxing, but it is also so much more expensive for trips of any great length, not to mention the time. If I want to travel from Miami to anywhere in the mid-west or west, I have to geo way out of the way taking at least two trains and spending a couple of thousand dollars or more for some kind of sleeper for the three or four day trip.
@wayneyadams
10 ай бұрын
@@agems56 Passenger service is generally a money losing business for railroads which is why it had to be nationalized into Amtrak. Freight is where the money is to be made.
@mikec2012
9 ай бұрын
@@agems56it's all about choice... I'd rather have a balance of all 3 and more competition than banning one to boost another.
Loved your show for years. I have learned more about modern railroads from your show than I have learned anywhere else. That Brightline is passenger rail done right!
@kevinkevinkevin1909
10 ай бұрын
Rebadged Chinese train made by Qindao, located Tangshan China. Not riding on that low quality train of embarrassment with shabby business deals with US politicians allowing communist Chinese to build important US infrastructures. Not safe.
Dang, Miami is growing fast! Seems like all of Florida is growing quickly. Brightline definitely has some great branding/style! Definitely good advice from your IT friend! I never use any public connection that is designed specifically to handle data.
@JonManProductions
Жыл бұрын
All of FL is growing rapidly, so much faster than anytime I've seen in all my life living here, governmental "shenanigans" aside... new homes and apartments are growing like grass, highway infrastructure is getting redone everywhere for the better and of course a slow but sure growth of new life for passenger high speed regional rail... I hope one day I can ride a train from Tampa to Miami if Brightline can keep the growth up. :)
@Blaze6432
Жыл бұрын
@JonManProductions I know! I live in the Tampa are but I like to travel not only within the state but internationally as well. Having Brightline would give me such a a convenient way to access the airports in Miami and Orlando.
@luislaplume8261
Жыл бұрын
Wait til my old hometown of NYC goes bankrupt and both the New York Stock Exchange and the New York Bond Exchange moves to Miami. It will be like the roaring 1920s and 1960s put together! 😁
@wayneyadams
Жыл бұрын
You are correct, we are growing at a crazy fast rate. People who yearn to be free of the tyranny of Democrat run states and big cities emigrate here by the thousands and tens of thousands.
@wayneyadams
Жыл бұрын
@@luislaplume8261 Do you think the will rename themselves the Miami Stock Exchange (MSE) and Miami Bond Exchange? LOL
Thank you for sharing your Brightline experience. I wish Amtrak can upgrade to this level of service network wide and give the airline industry a run for it's money.
@daniellewis1789
Жыл бұрын
It takes, apparently, 10b$ for hourly service along a 200 mile stretch. Compare the upcoming 5 trips a day from Raleigh to Charlotte for around $700m (Piedmont and Carolinian).
@robertolebron2296
Жыл бұрын
@@daniellewis1789 aren’t Brightline still making profit regardless of that $10B dollars per hour of operation
@daniellewis1789
Жыл бұрын
@@robertolebron2296 They're making an operational profit, not an overall profit. That is, daily track use fees and fuel and electricity and staffing and all that stuff are covered by tickets, but the build cost isn't considered for that sort of "profitable". Transit should generally not need to make a profit, though adequate cost recovery is important. Brightline wouldn't run a lot of Amtrak services because they can't make money on station-adjacent real estate.
"Keep your foot hard on that pedal, and never mind them brakes" A well placed lyric.
16:50 The Amtrak Logo was called the Pointless Arrow and it was seen on engines like the F and E Units and the SDP40F the logo would appear on Stations but many of those logos were replaced with the Travel mark logo in the 2000s and 2010s.
This is the closest I'll ever get to Premium Class Seems like the golden age of Passenger Rail Transport is coming back to the US since the 1900s! Great video as always, Danny. Edit: What are your tips of filming in a public coach? I sometimes try to make B-Roll in some Trains, but I don't want to make other people uncomfortable.
@enjoyslearningandtravel7957
Жыл бұрын
I’m not a KZreadr but I’d say if you do any close-ups instead of just crowd scenes then to blur out the faces of the people and tell them that you’re doing that if they ask and feel uncomfortable. In Europe, I believe it’s the law to blur the faces unless it’s a big crowd scene
@dkbmaestrorules
Жыл бұрын
@@enjoyslearningandtravel7957 varies by country, but there certainly are European countries where that's true.
@enjoyslearningandtravel7957
Жыл бұрын
@@dkbmaestrorules yes I’m sure it varies by country in Europe since there’s so many different countries,in Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Central, Europe, etc. and, of course, the law would not be all the same.
@enjoyslearningandtravel7957
Жыл бұрын
@@dkbmaestrorules I’m just giving the man who asked for suggestions about how to film if people were uncomfortable with that. There may be people that film anyway even if people don’t like it, or they may be a different suggestion, that might be better that I haven’t thought of.
Nice. I have been following The Roaming Railfan on his channel. The No 32 turnout is all-welded and the frog has a moveable point with two switch motors. If Brightline doesn't use his videos or get him to combine his videos into a construction documentary, they are plain crazy; his videos are in that class.
@richardsmith4187
Жыл бұрын
He needs to get a lifetime free pass on Brightline as he has done a fantastic job in documenting the whole process. And your right I hope a full length construction video could be produced.
You really managed to catch that "golden era rail promotion film" vibe this time
Great video. I am glad to see railroads growing. Brightline looks like an excellent ride.
Danny, I can sense your joy and amazement experiencing what Brightline has accomplished. Just thrilled to see quality passenger service restored to the riding public. Maybe our Amtrak friends can take a few notes.
@jovetj
Жыл бұрын
I just hope it STAYS quality. It's easy to be all gung ho at the start, but eventually the spray paint will move in, the trash and dirt will pile up, and it will be the same garbage we're used to.
@bwcbiz
Жыл бұрын
Brightline isn't beholden to congress. If you ever wonder why Amtrak services stop in some very "out of the way" places and it isn't at least a hundred miles from the next stop in either direction, it's probably because they needed to get a funding vote from a particular congress-critter. OTOH, for rural US on the long-distance routes, a lot of these stops are the only transport that's there...riding Amtrak to get to the closest city with a decent airport is often the best option.
@alexnorfolksouthernmedia
Жыл бұрын
Hi Danny! This video makes me wanna go there just to ride the train. I hope Brightline can keep those nice shiny cars clean and spotless!
Thanks Danny. I'm hoping to visit Orlando this year via Amtrak Silver Star and make my way to the new Brightline airport terminus once it opens for travel. It's great to have this available for across state travel. We know the next expansion will be our home Tampa route, but like you, I'm not waiting to experience the new line.
@richardsmith4187
Жыл бұрын
I also can't wait until Brightline gets here to Tampa !!!!! I will be riding every weekend headed south for weekend get aways. I think they could put a station near downtown Tampa but anywhere they put it will be fine with me. " Have Train Will Travel " LOL
@robertolebron2296
Жыл бұрын
When does it open for travel? Gonna plan to head to Orlando on the 4th of July weekend
No shortage of workers for such an endeavor down there… from the track laying to the engineers running the consists…. Great stuff as usual Dan and we thank you…
@CoffeeTech
11 ай бұрын
Lol great stuff? It’s privately owned and operated. Dan didn’t have shit to do with it
That Bright line train looks nice. They're building a line from the high desert out by Los Angeles to Las Vegas in next few years. Construction is supposed to start later this year.
You just Know it’s going to be a Great Day when you get a Notification from Danny Harmon on the Distant Signal KZread Channel. Great job as Always. 👍🙏
@rherman9085
Жыл бұрын
I was thinking the same thing.
@kens.3729
Жыл бұрын
@@rherman9085 Great Minds Think Alike! 😬👍
Great as usual... A couple of notes. Yes, you were riding on a promotional weekend, but the premium fares are rarely if ever discounted. The hand dryer that you displayed in the station are the same ones that are also onboard the train. Actually, you don't have to tap it, the entire restroom is touchless. If you just put your hand under the dryer the dryer will start.
@koot421
11 ай бұрын
Haha, thank you. Saw that and thought the same thing, "Doesn't make sense to touch something after watching your hands." Also a quick tip...avoid using the hand dryer if the sink still has water/suds in it. Otherwise you risk having it blow back on you.
I looked up the rates for a ticket on their site for Boca > Miami in late July and rates vary depending on the travel time slot you chose. The cheapest for Smart tickets appears to be the off-peak hours, 6:00 AM departure gets you a $12.50 ticket, while a 7:00 AM departure bumps to $29.50! Also, if you get a Premium off-peak it is $37 for a 6:00 AM departure and $52 for a 7:00 AM departure. In my opinion, the Premium ticket seems worth it if you intend to use some of the station amenities such as the snack bar/drinks as those add up FAST! That said if you just need to get from A to B in a hurry, stick with Smart. If I ever make it out that way, riding that is on my to-do list! Thanks for putting this together as always Danny.
@RealizniguhNit
11 ай бұрын
Not much more than gas depending on what your driving considering the traffic in soflo
As UK resident who often watches your vids, it's great to see certain areas of the US re-embracing rail passenger travel. For short-middle distances it's a brilliant alternative to air travel & puts you right in the centre of urban areas. The ultimate goal would be Brightline to fully electrify & go for Siemens high speed locomotives.
In The Netherlands a first class one way ticket for an hour long train ride will set you back about $34. For that money, you get a seat. So that $54 for a premium ticket with complementary lounge and snacks seems reasonable...
You looked like a kid that had just gotten a new toy, Dan! Thanks for sharing your 'discovery ride' on Florida's new system. Always great to see a new video of yours. Take care & stay healthy. From one of your ardent Canuck viewers.
Sounds like a great trip, and another great video!
@distantsignal
Жыл бұрын
Many thanks!
Thanks Danny for taking us on this amazing premium bright line ride for all of us to enjoy! Your videos continue to amaze me! Keep them coming! :)
Its awesome you got to review Brightline, Dan. I live in South Florida well Miami, but I have ridden on Brightline a couple of times since its introduction and I got to say its quality service. Not only that they are planning to run from Miami to Orlando trains every hour which is fantastic it does feel like an airline on the ground but in a very good way. Even though I am going for the Aerospace Industry (Space Sector more specifically). I think Brightline has the potential of providing us Floridians another way of traveling besides car and airplane. I hope they consider extensions to Jacksonville and a stop at Cocoa, since with that I can go to Cape Canaveral and to NASA easily. Anyways great coverage Dan, and that taco place looks great, I should check it out when I get free time. I like that we are getting another way to get to Orlando that is not of a car, bus or airplane. I hope Brightline will be implanted to more places in the United States.
Awesome video Danny! Thanks for taking us all along on this amazing trip
Danny, great to hear from you. I never miss any of your videos. all of them great. I am an 89 year old retired Road foreman of engine from the DL&W,EL CNJ MP Amtrak. Love the industry always have 62 years on the Railroad..
Wow....first look at Brightline rail - excellent job by the host, the videography and editing. Well done!
Great video and tutorial as well as taking us along on the new Brightline Rail System! Definitely a 1st Class ride with the amenities to boot! That FEC GEEP was rolling through with those Stone Cars! Thanks again Danny for sharing this video with us along with your PRICELESS time and effort! Cheers from Laurel, Delaware USA.
I've been spoiled by European trains on the couple vacations I've taken there and will almost always take a train over flying when possible. Honestly I quite enjoyed taking the train from Berlin to London last month even though I could have flown in a little over half the time. Glad to see Brightline having success there. Maybe it'll spur interest in other parts of the country.
This is the best train video I’ve ever watched. This feels like a callback to the best history channel shows I watched as a kid. Fantastic
That bit about the free taxi rides might be the key to reviving rail travel. One of the biggest problems with Amtrak is the "last mile problem", where passengers get to their destination city but then need to find a way to get from the station to wherever they are going. A lot of train stations don't have taxi stands or car rentals nearby. If you build a taxi ride into the price of the ticket, say, one ride from your house to the origin station, and another from the destination station to the final goal, that makes it easier to ride.
I am so looking forward to Brightline West. If we are lucky they will break ground this latter in 2023. Thank you for this ride!
Good report, thank you Danny! Now waiting for the rest of the country to catch up with commendable service like this. Also thanks for taking the time to get some last minute search light documentation in before it's too late!
Great Update! Your love of trains is very apparent, lots of great info! Thanks😊
Great video, Danny! Siemens must think that between this kind of operation and the Amtrak upgrades, the east coast is going to grow. Siemens Mobility recently chose Lexington, NC, as their new home to a new $220+ million advanced manufacturing and rail services facility. This is just east of Charlotte, NC on the main north-south line. That's 500 new jobs!
Greetings from the UK Danny. Just wanted to say how interesting this video it was comparing your experience to travel here in the UK. Most of our inter city trains look like the train you travelled on. Many miss the concept of a standalone loco and passenger carriages but those are now heritage or specials only. One massive difference is freight. Our freight trains are a fraction of the length of yours but frequency is much more often. In the UK we have the concept of spotting. Less popular than it was. The idea being to record the numbers of all the locos you see. Books are published every year with a list of all locos and the idea is to try to see them all. Do you have such a concept in the US ? All the best
The $50.00 (+or-) fare for a 1-2 hour business class ride on Amtrak, in at least one area of the country, seems to be a *fair-market* price. 😊 Bright-line is shiner / newer and the lounge looks 😳. I do remember you saying you received a good price for your return premium-class ticket. Thanks for taking us along. First time riding along on Bright-line.
Brightline is G R E A T !! We're in Weeki Wachee, Fl and took Amtrak from Tampa to West Palm Beach to get on Brightline to go to Miami. What a difference between trains. Love Brightline. The one thing you forgot to mention is on Brightline, after each stop, the cart lady also has free spirits with soda in premium seating!!! Can't wait to do Orlando to Miami & Tampa will be coming on line soon. Love you channel. Joe
Thanks Danny, Great Ride experience YES 5 Stars!!! Appreciate sharing your positive BL experience !! Last Sunday my woman and my youngest enjoyed the day riding premium up to Palm Beach from Fort Lauderdale. We enjoyed every moment, clean stations, very personable Bright Line staff and comfortable ride. At the Palm Beach station you can catch the free golf cart taxi's out front and hang out at City Place (Now called The square) for lunch and shopping. We're now planning a long weekend on BL up to Orlando this fall. GO BRIGHT LINE!!!!!!!!
I want to do a Brightline premium ride just for the fun of it, like you did. Mine will be a little more involved. I have a Tri-Rail station not too far away, so I am going to ride Tri-Rail to Metro-Rail then take the Metro Mover (free) to the Miami Brightline Station. I am going to ride on four different systems. The hardest part is getting the timing right on the outbound ride, so I don't miss the Brightline. The cool thing about the ride is that the tracks pass right behind the last school I taught at in Miami before retiring. In fact, shortly after i retired, the faculty parking lot was taken over by the railroad to add the second track.
I'm really glad to see that someone is advancing passenger rail.
Thanks for covering America's greatest passenger railroad! I too feel Brightline's privately funded passenger model is the key to bringing forth more passenger service in the U.S. in a quick, efficient and high quality manner.
Thanks for making this video. While it's not high speed rail, it is a step in the right direction. I wish we had Brightline service here (Palm Springs, CA) at any speed. There's no passenger service to speak of between here and Los Angeles, or Phoenix to the East. Brightline is building rail service between San Bernardino (LA) and Las Vegas. That should take away our Indian casino crowd when it's finished. What a hard way to learn a lesson. Way to go, Brightline!
By far the BEST video I've seen about the Blightline. Thank you!
Really enjoy your Videos. I've been a railfan Since I was a kid living in Northeast Ohio growing up in Cuyahoga Falls north of Akron where a busy CSX main line double track still operates through downtown, a park & Munroe Falls just east. I could hear the trains from my house less than 2 miles from 3 crossings in the area sometimes every 5-10 minutes apart! I also go to a park & siding at downtown Kent, same CSX line just east of the Falls where I take phone videos myself of the trains here. Thanks for the great stories & Videos. Steve N. Akron-Kent, Ohio
You got a very good voice, sounds like a radio man, love it! Hope to ride the train from Miami to Orlando when the station opens
Well Done, comprehensive, inclusive and informative. Great narration dialog, Thank you.
My old stomping grounds! Met my wife at the Revolution concert venue right across from where you had lunch. We had our first date just a few doors down at Fat Cat's bar. Thanks for the great content!
Another great video Danny! I was offered a job as an Engineer at Brightline when I was at SCFE but being only a few years from retirement, I declined. I always enjoy your videos because they are so well done!
Thanks for taking us along for this in-depth rider expedition. Brightline is impressive.
Thank you! Thank you! Can't get enough, but I appreciate all the hours you put into your productions. BrightLine couldn't buy a better promotional video.
this is my favorite railfanning channel in all of uniform. Not only do you get to see great views of trains, but you always come away learning something new.
I had a chance to ride Brightline twice and give it high marks for service. They are Great. Thanks Danny another outstanding video. Cheers!
Excellent presentation and well spoken! Thank you!
Looks like a first class operation. Thanks for showing it off, Danny.
Wow, those trains are really posh! They sure beat the dingy old Gallery and Bombardier cars that I have to ride for my commute.
I love the roaming rail, fan videos on bright line trains his videos are awesome. He keeps up-to-date on what’s happening bright line.
Hopefully brightline decides to make stations in northern florida
@GBULL_ADV_1982
Жыл бұрын
Imagine brightline through Folkston, GA
@petercruikshank2618
Жыл бұрын
We are anxiously waiting for the Tampa connection!
@Jet1672
Жыл бұрын
@@petercruikshank2618 yeah but northern florida area has NOTHING in terms of brightline not even commuters to Jacksonville as the people making the budget are to focused on making suburbs and car centric infrastructure
8:20 nice nod to Jerry Reed….. “Let it all hang out ‘cause we got a run to make”
I commute from south Brevard every workday and have observed the construction of the tracks since they fell the first trees in the right of way. Looking forward to my round trip premium ride from Orlando to Miami. Thanks Danny for all your videos!
Love what Brightline is doing and it seems that everyone who rides on it agrees. Hopefully they can pull off everything to MCO and beyond and even the high speed rail between Las Vegas and LA. Great review!
What a wonderful report - railroading by a railroad man - how refreshing. Particularly appreciate the "spice" of the thermite application in practice. Thank you.
What sold me was the beer on tap in the lounge to go with your view of Downtown Miami.
Ft Lauderdale! My Happy Place for 24 years until I left to start a new job in another city. That New River railroad bridge location was one of my favorite hangout spots. Thanks for another great video !
@distantsignal
Жыл бұрын
Many thanks, Geoff!
Very cool to see this. We can only dream of efficient passenger rail service here in Pennsylvania. All of your videos are my favorite, Danny, keep up the great work!
Certainly a colorful buggy, and what a great way to thumb your nose to the airlines! Thanks for the trip!
It’s so nice to see more people using the service. Hopefully when Orlando opens there will be packed trains and stations signaling a desire for more rail service🤞🏼
I'm sure you know of the channel The Roaming Railfan.....he's been doing weekly updates of the Brightline construction project. And yes, from Cocoa to Orlando International there are no at grade crossings. 125mph shot from the Cocoa Tunnel the OIA. Should be fun.
@davidsimmons9763
Жыл бұрын
He gives a shout out to The Roaming Railfan at the end!
Your videos are so well done. Thanks for another entertaining and informative video.
Great video. Good to hear Brightline is living up to what it was purported to be. My wife and I just got back from Italy. We rode trains several times, and that experience is much like what you describe here. Clean, comfortable cars in great condition (with restrooms of the same quality). A car cleaning porter equipped with a vacuum cleaner passed by multiple times on each of our trips, We rode Business Class, one level below Premium, and higher that two other levels. Got a "welcome aboard" package upon departure that featured several tasty snacks. Complimentary beverages, too. Trains arrive and depart promptly on schedule, typically with just 10 minutes to board or de-board at terminal stops. Much less at intermediate stops. Trains are popular transportation over automobiles due to cost of fuel, and offer frequent, reliable service between just about every major and secondary city in the country, with ongoing service across the border into the rest of Europe. Trains we rode were just about full every time. And absolutely no at-grade crossings. Also very low grades, if at all. Hills were handled with cuts or tunnels. Speed often reach 150 mph for long stretches. Sounds and looks like Brightline is trying to emulate the European experience, and doing very well at it. I live in Dallas, and hold out hope that Texas Central, the private high speed rail venture, won't die on the vine due to the NIMBY forces at work. Brightline is proof that the concept works when properly designed and implemented.
OUTSTANDING! I hope they expand all over the country. We need a passenger rail system in Cincinnati. We needs this in our country. Honestly Amtrak is the pits.
Auckland, New Zealand is a great example of how a system similar to Brightline with a small start can go to an expansive oasis. It went from 1950s GE locomotives in a push-pull configuration running at 20-30 minute intervals on archaic single line infranstructure to electric trains going 100km/h within 10 years.
Danny..your videos are simply the best. Thx so much. Regards, John
You make really good interesting videos. I always watch them clear to the end. Keep up the good work.
This is the best explanation of Brightline I have seen. Very professional without being boring. Also, you have a fantastic voice!
@distantsignal
11 ай бұрын
That's a very nice compliment. Many thanks!
Absolute gem of an video of the new brightline track! Keep up the great work, so happy to see rail picking up steam in the U.S. also, with a lot of rail love from Europe!
By the way. Termite welding also involves melting a metal powder charge that flows in to a space that has been made between the two rails. A worker puts a ceramic form aroud the rail ends and then preheat the ends. So one could say it's a casting method.
Now that’s an adventure right there!
I have always loved trains! I have ridden the Amtrak about 3 times, but this is so futureristic, I wish this service much success and I hope it spreads around the states, I can't believe I had not heard of it, in advertising 😮
Your videos are always well done and interesting. Thanks for making this a fun update on the Brightline!
I live in Tokyo now, and considering using Florida's newest rail experience when I visit next year. It seems like a FAAARRR cry from the perfectly run electric train system and high speed shinkansen of Japan though!
Great video Danny, it’s terrific to see investment in passenger rail infrastructure in the USA! Let’s hope it spreads across the country… cheers from Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺!
Thanks for the video. I’m a Floridian in Europe right now and getting very used to train transit. Can’t wait to use this when I get home.
Thanks Danny, glad you're back.
Danny in thermite welding the magnesium starts the reaction by heating the mixture to the point of ignition then the powdered aluminum strips the oxygen from the iron oxide to sustain it's combustion which basically smelts the iron like in a steel mill and it runs molten into the form around the rail ends to be welded!
I think Brightline will be a railroad that can encourage other rail projects in America to be completed or become reality.
@Jabba.Da.Hutt_
Жыл бұрын
I think so too
In 2018, we took Brightline roundtrip between West Palm & Miami in the premium car both ways. At the time, it was $26.00 each way & nice service. In September 2023, I'm flying into Orlando & taking Brightline to West Palm because the flights to Orlando were more convenient than to West Palm. I booked the one way fare in premium for $189.00 on my train. Looking forward to the service but they are having 16 daily trains between Orlando & Miami in EACH direction. It will interesting to see if the demand for that many trains will be met. I noticed that coach between Orlando & West Palm was $79.00 & you have to pay $25.00 for the 1st bag, $50.00 for the 2nd but it jumps to $125.00 for 3 bags.
Excellent as always Danny. I remember reading about this line and it's construction years back, it good to see people are taking it under their wings, should be proud. When the Airport links comes online it will only get better. New services, new stations, new clean trains ! Be Proud ! Look forward to our next adventure. Thanks Danny, Steve from Sydney.
I think i was about 13 years old when amtrack first started service and that sign you just received was the original logo of amtrack. the folloing year we took the zepher cross country and i fell in love with train travel.... Happy trails on polished rails my friend.
Brightline is an absolutely awesome, modern, passenger service.
Thank you so much for an enlightening view of the new Brightline, i love the Florida area and hope i can visit some time, you have so much knowledge that is being shared and there are many of us that will learn from your experience, we look forward to your future videos.
Thank you Mr Danny for bringing us along. I watch everytime I get a notification. I live up north in Maryland. Have been to Florida but never in South Florida. I appreciate all you do for us.
Great good video, mr Danny Harmon. This looks good for Florida. Nice trains clean, nice fresh colors. Top👍👌. Greet from Zandvoort the Netherlands.
I really, really, really, really, really hope that the Brightline extension to Tamp happens... Right now I commute weekly to MCO for work from St. Pete... I rent a room near the airport to stay during my work week.... We were thinking about moving to the Orlando area for my work, but it's too expensive there and we love where we live now... If Brightline gets moving forward with the TPA extension, I'd be able to come home every night because the train will be a hell of a lot faster than driving 2 hours for a lousy 100 miles on I-4.....
All is right with the world when Danny presents a new video! Thank you, Sir!! Greetings from Vancouver, Canada.