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I can't help but compare California HSR with Brightline in Florida. There are indeed major differences between the two - Brightline is not high-speed, for one

by chiph 4y ago

I can't help but compare California HSR with Brightline in Florida. There are indeed major differences between the two - Brightline is not high-speed, for one (top speed is 79 mph). And California's route will be 4 times the length (~210 miles long vs ~800 miles). And California has much more track being run elevated (Brightline has had several automobile fatalities from drivers going around the crossing gates) But .. Brightline started construction in 2014 with the Fort Lauderdale station, and is now in operation from Miami to West Palm Beach (Orlando is projected to be added by the end of 2022). Brightline is also double-tracking the route so their trains don't get diverted onto passing sidings. California HSR hasn't run a single train yet.

justinc-md 4y ago
The top speed to Orlando will be 125mph.
zie 4y ago
> California HSR hasn't run a single train yet. They haven't even figured out how to lay a single piece of track yet either.
ac29 4y ago
Brightline is run on nearly 100% pre-existing tracks though right? CA HSR is 100% new build.
- chiph 4y ago
  About half-ish is new track. There was an existing single track owned by the Florida East Coast Railway used by freight trains, and they are adding a second track (double-tracking). But to be fair, they already owned the right of way from when it was previously double-tracked in the 1920's, so adding the second track hasn't been hugely expensive. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_East_Coast_Railway https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_East_Coast_Railway
- runarberg 4y ago
  Nit: CAHSR is not quite 100% new track. The alignment between Anaheim and Burbank is the same as the Metrolink’s and between Gilroy and San Fransisco is the same as Caltrain’s. Both need(ed) major improvements, but so did Brightline’s. I’m not saying though that both projects are comparable (they are not. CAHSR is several factors more ambitious), this was merely a nitpick.

by chiph 4y ago

justinc-md 4y ago

The top speed to Orlando will be 125mph.

zie 4y ago

> California HSR hasn't run a single train yet. They haven't even figured out how to lay a single piece of track yet either.

ac29 4y ago

Brightline is run on nearly 100% pre-existing tracks though right? CA HSR is 100% new build.

chiph 4y ago
About half-ish is new track. There was an existing single track owned by the Florida East Coast Railway used by freight trains, and they are adding a second track (double-tracking). But to be fair, they already owned the right of way from when it was previously double-tracked in the 1920's, so adding the second track hasn't been hugely expensive. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_East_Coast_Railway https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_East_Coast_Railway
runarberg 4y ago
Nit: CAHSR is not quite 100% new track. The alignment between Anaheim and Burbank is the same as the Metrolink’s and between Gilroy and San Fransisco is the same as Caltrain’s. Both need(ed) major improvements, but so did Brightline’s. I’m not saying though that both projects are comparable (they are not. CAHSR is several factors more ambitious), this was merely a nitpick.