Amtrak warns it may sever usage agreement - Tampa Bay Online
Thought this was an interesting story. I'm checking out Google Earth now - but does anyone familiar with this trackage know if an alternate route to Tampa is possible?
Amtrak's big problem in this case is the Auto Train, which can't be rerouted to get to Sanford, and another facility with ramps to unload autos, staging area, and some sort of acceptable station facility off the A-Line would be very difficult to find.
Based on my observations as of late,
I will be very very surprised if there is any change of service due to this issue. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Paula Dockery doesn't have her hand in this situation from the start. She is very pissed about Sunrail's passing! Personally, I would like to see her butt out of office soon! That said, I believe this entire situation is being blown WAY out of proportion which is precisely the way Mrs Dockery operates in my observations of her performance!
Anyway,
For starters, Auto Train is Amtrak's premier East Coast service which comes very close to breaking even (and could show profit with certain expenses omitted). That point alone (Auto Train) and losing the Orlando market would be very detrimental to Amtrak's Florida business (remember ORL is the busiest station in Florida). C-mon, Amtrak management ISN"T THAT STUPID!!!! I just see Amtrak simply being added to the liability agreement with the state giving them the same protections CSX (and Sunrail) has. CSX and Amtrak can / may also handle this situation "in house" as CSX is still the host railroad even though the state will own the right of way. At this time, I highly doubt this issue will be much of a sticking point to Sunrail moving forward. As far as I can tell, it is all a done deal. I can see where CSX is moving forward with their own plans which will have a positive effect on my job in the long run.
Secondly, even though I somewhat believe Mrs Dockery may be involved with this somewhere (the following I say in Amtrak's defense), is Amtrak certainly deserves to be treated as an equal partner in the equation, here. Why shouldn't they enjoy equal provisions in regard to liability issues as CSX and Sunrail? It works with Tri-Rail as well as just about everywhere else! Mrs Dockery knows darn well there is an easy solution to all this, though she won't be a part of it being she would rather see Sunrail die!
Thirdly, a good and solid relationship with Amtrak is very important and necessary for the state of Florida! Amtrak (in my personal opinion) should be the number one contender with every aspect in regard to the future of passenger rail in Florida. I may have a love /hate relationship with Amtrak, but they certainly do have the ability to provide the resources, manpower, etc, needed to build and operate rail transit in Florida. And with proper management and funding, they are best suited for the job over any others (unless CSX were asked to do it). I hope to see my current employer CSX taking an active role in the future of rail in Florida being they can benefit from the results of increased capacity and service area.
Lastly, Florida recently has been awarded a decent portion of stimulus dollars for high speed rail to be implemented. No matter what the critics believe, the passage of Sunrail was "the icing on the cake" for Florida to receive these funds! Why else was it passed so quickly?
OBS gone freight...