Group Wants Atlanta-Savannah Passenger Rail Line (Macon, Alpharetta: vs., suburbs, office)

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by StAubin

They are in Florida.

Look up all aboard Florida, it is a private rail company that plans on starting an orlando to Miami passenger line by 2014.

If that is successful I would not be surprised if Csx or ns roll out their own passenger brands.

Now a Miami-Orlando route might work. Large cities and major tourist destinations. However, last I heard, the Tampa-Orlando line is dead.

[johnatl]

Originally Posted by MathmanMathman

Now a Miami-Orlando route might work. Large cities and major tourist destinations. However, last I heard, the Tampa-Orlando line is dead.

Yes, for now the Tampa-Orlando HSR line is dead thanks to their new Governor.

The newly prosposed Orlando-Miami line is backed by Florida East Coast Railroad, who already owns the historic frieght line from Jacksonville to Miami. This is the modern day remains of the historic line Henry Flagler originally built all the way to Key West. I honestly think this one will work, and FEC has very, very deep pockets.

[StAubin]

Originally Posted by johnatl

Yes, for now the Tampa-Orlando HSR line is dead thanks to their new Governor.

The newly prosposed Orlando-Miami line is backed by Florida East Coast Railroad, who already owns the historic frieght line from Jacksonville to Miami. This is the modern day remains of the historic line Henry Flagler originally built all the way to Key West. I honestly think this one will work, and FEC has very, very deep pockets.

43 Billion Dollars Deep

Mabye if this line works they will do a line from Miami to Atlanta via Jacksonville and Savannah.

[johnatl]

Originally Posted by StAubin

43 Billion Dollars Deep

Mabye if this line works they will do a line from Miami to Atlanta via Jacksonville and Savannah.

That would be fantastic. One can only wish......

[toll_booth]

Originally Posted by gtcorndog

I wonder if there would be some way to start some sort of public-private partnership rail operation where private companies that have a long track record of operating efficiently would provide all services and receive some subsidy from the government to make up the difference (assuming the difference was a small number). I'd much rather have a proven freight rail company run the operation than some bloated, failed government entity like Amtrak run the day to day ops. CSX of Norfolk Southern runs the operations and collects the fares and just gets a 10% subsidy from the government or some similar figure that compares to other forms of transportation. Some compromise like this would be a solid solution if you ask me... but then again, the numbers would have to work and I doubt they do.

I'm willing to entertain this compromise.

If this were to happen, I don't think that it should be a stand-alone line. I'd rather see something shorter first, such as an Atlanta-Macon line. Get that up and running, work out the kinks, and then look into extending it if it's feasible.

[tv_racin_fan]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Some people think it's worth investing in stuff like roads, water, schools even though they are not money making schemes.

You are free to invest all the money you like in that fashion. Heck I might even ride the train if the cost of the ticket aint so bad. You seem to have ignored that section of my post. You got any idea what the cost of that ticket may be? Currently I make that trip every now and again (ok actually I do not go all the way to Savannah) one way fuel cost is currently $80 bucks for up to 7 people, even at $20 per ticket I can't see ridin the rail instead of driving.

[munna21977]

but then not everyone travels in a group of 7. what about one person traveling alone??

Originally Posted by tv_racin_fan

You are free to invest all the money you like in that fashion. Heck I might even ride the train if the cost of the ticket aint so bad. You seem to have ignored that section of my post. You got any idea what the cost of that ticket may be? Currently I make that trip every now and again (ok actually I do not go all the way to Savannah) one way fuel cost is currently $80 bucks for up to 7 people, even at $20 per ticket I can't see ridin the rail instead of driving.

[munna21977]

can you enlighten us how they make it tough for people in europe to own a car???

Originally Posted by MathmanMathman

One other point about Europe. In Europe they make it tough to own a car so people turn to trains.

[munna21977]

You call New York Penn Station Lonely??? you need to travel more in life. Trains run on electricity also.

Originally Posted by MathmanMathman

Roads are sufficient to encourage businesses to set up shop. Even if a railway attracted businesses (and I'm doubtful about that) it would probably just take business away from road based businesses. Is Amtrak attracting businesses near its rail stops? Some of the loneliest places are around Amtrak stations.

And those trains burn diesel while saving us gasoline. How many passengers is needed before we see a net savings?

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by munna21977

You call New York Penn Station Lonely??? you need to travel more in life. Trains run on electricity also.

If every station was like Penn Station, then you'd be right. Do you think New York grew up around Penn Station?

Here is the Huntingdon PA Amtrak station



And even electricity needs to be generated.