Comments on: VIP Train Will Roll Next Month As Officials Study Rail Service Return To Gulf Coast

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 00:55:45 +0000

Why does rail work everywhere but here in the USA? Why not restore The Sunset Limited and commuter rail from NOLA to FLA? It makes no sense. Restructure if need be but there’s no reason it wouldn’t work; unless it cuts into the “deregulated” airline industry?

By: Gail Smith

Gail Smith — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 01:14:00 +0000

We are excited passenger rail service New Orleans to Florida is being considered!
We would definitely ride often.

By: Shirley Adams

Shirley Adams — Sat, 09 Apr 2016 13:11:46 +0000

I have missed going from Pensacola to Washington DC. I would make the trip to
Atmore, Al (Wind Creek) more often if I didn’t have to drive. I was in Atmore when the train came through in February. Wonderful sight to see!

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 17:17:25 +0000

Has there been any word if the initial run was successful? I hope they do decide to return service it would be great for the area.

By: Glenda Adams

Glenda Adams — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 01:52:07 +0000

I am so pleased that the commuter trains may become operational again. We need this more than ever now. Passengers, freight, A more economical way to travel than flying or driving. I would love to ride on a passenger train. Never rode one. Looking forward to it.

By: Avis

Avis — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 21:50:46 +0000

After reading the comments, I must agree with “M in Bratt.” This plan might have been a great idea 50 years ago. Looks like a waste of money to me. I fail to see how so many millions can be justified to satisfy a few nostalgia seekers. Besides, if you can afford the ticket, then you probably already own a car or two. If it’s such a good idea some private investor or PCI would have already jumped on it. Nope. Trying to sell a deal to a few politicians just smells really bad to me. Surely you all realize the cost estimates presented will multiply once a commitment is made.

By: Kathryn K Moore

Kathryn K Moore — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 20:47:25 +0000

I’m so appreciative and supportive of the fine people that have placed much effort in getting our Gulf Coast train service back.

As a country we have to start looking at alternatives to driving and flying.

I will certainly consider this service for taking trips to Jacksonville for trips to NYC, New Orleans, then to Chicago from there.

Thank you, thank you for all of your diligence. I pray that the state of Florida will be supportive and do everything we can as a great state in this nation to promote the return of our train service.

Best Regards,
Katheyn

By: Michael Smith

Michael Smith — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 20:24:12 +0000

Re – Article about VIP Amtrak inspection train to run New Orleans – Jacksonville with stop at Atmore, AL: Agreed that Gulf Coast passenger rail service is (1) long overdue, (2( will cost millions and (3) will likely be slower than trains that run on advanced rail networks in Europe and Asia.
Nevertheless, such a service will promote local economies near the station stops it serves.
Further, it will lessen the burden of driving a long distance for business in or near the Florida state capital (And remove the required change of planes at Atlanta for the option to fly.). Finally, its success will be determined by schedule compatibility with the “Silver Service” trains at Jacksonville.

If Florida legislators decide to ignore the above-mentioned idea then the next proposal should be a Florida to Atlanta fast passenger train service.
A noteworthy item: a new high speed train is to debut in March/2016 from Tokyo to Hakodate on the north island of Japan. The (roadway per Google Map) distance from Orlando, FL to downtown Atlanta, GA is over ninety miles LESS than that of the soon-to-be inaugurated train service in Japan.
And an undersea tunnel is unnecessary in the southeastern USA.

By: Dunnell

Dunnell — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 20:28:37 +0000

I would sure ride the train back home to Chicago from Florida. They may just capture the larger family dollars that cant afford $4000 air airfares and fees. Marketed correctly this will be a viable option from the Midwest for the almighty Florida Tourism Bureau . Did someone just figure this out ??. Lost a lot of those dollars already.

By: J Howard Harding

J Howard Harding — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 19:56:25 +0000

Mere extension of either the City of New Orleans or the Sunset Limited will not maximize either ridership or revenue. At least two daily trains need to be operated between New Orleans and Florida — and on nearly all other Amtrak routes as well.

Beware of accepting service only as far as Mobile. Any such short route requires nearly 100% non-federal funding. But service all the way to Orlando should be considered a part of Amtrak’s national service network and require non-federal funding only for stations.

Amtrak once proposed operating the Sunset Limited daily between Los Angeles and New Orleans, with a slight operating change. The through train would run between Los Angles and Chicago via San Antonio, Ft. Worth and Dallas TX, Little Rock AK and St Louis MO. A connecting train would operate between San Antonio, New Orleans and points east. This change was blocked when the Union Pacific Railroad demanded millions of dollars in track and signal upgrades along the entire route before adding daily service. Do not let CSX even attempt such blackmail. If CSX tries to extort vast sums, require that a third party consultant examine the route to determine what, if any, expenses are warranted.