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Mike, while I certainly agree that this development makes any restoration of passenger service through Ocala difficult to envision, I must ask, if SunRail is to move forth, what other alternate routings are there available for CSX freight traffic other than the Seaboard Jax-Coleman? Is it reasonable to expect that an investor owned concern is going (likely forced) to "reserve" track capacity to enable a possible revival of a mode of passenger transportation which, at this time, "You the People' clearly do not want?
Considering that SunRail will do what Tri-Rail does not, namely serve the core Downtown of the largest on line community, as well as serve the perimeter of Mickey and his various consorts' fiefdoms providing at least the 'serfs' with a low-cost means to get to work at such (the "vassals" will continue to "fly and rent"; SunRail or not), I'd like to think the System will have greater presence in the region than has Tri-Rail enjoyed in its own - and despite this negative, Tri-Rail, if not a "blockbuster", at least "hasn't done that bad".
Disclaimer; author holds long position CSX
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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SunRail - more positives than negatives overall, and I'm glad it's going through. My only point, Gil, is that my particular locale is a big loser in all of this. No positives for Amtrak riders in this area during the last (and presumably) next decade at all.
1. We lost rail service through Ocala in 2004. 2. We lost service through Lake City E/W on the Sunset Limited in 2005. 3. Now we'll be facing even longer waits at RR crossings in our cars while CSX rakes in more dough.
Disclaimer: author sold all his CSX stock a long time ago.
-------------------- Ocala Mike Posts: 1530 | From: Ocala, FL | Registered: Dec 2006
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Yep, we're turnin' th' whole worl' over to them nasty corporations!
Last I looked, CSX was running a pair of road freights a day and a pair of intermodal trains a day between Jacksonville and Tampa, and a pair of road freights to Miami. Am I missing something here? Where are those 54 trains a day coming from? Where are they going? Am I going to have to take off my shoes and count on my toes?
Posts: 614 | From: Merchantville, NJ. USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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rresor, I'm not a big CSX watcher, but I think your post includes the "A" line traffic only. Just the other night, I encountered a very long unit ethanol train with 5 engines on the point going through Belleview, FL ("S" line)and (lol) slowing my delivery of badly-needed medicine and supplies to nursing homes in the area.
Posts: 1530 | From: Ocala, FL | Registered: Dec 2006
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I'm not a big fan of CSX. 54 trains a day that seems a tad high for a number. I didn't know the A Line had that much freight left on it. I already figured the S Line was the main line for Florida. I wish Amtrak would extend the Palmetto back to Tampa via Ocala.
Disclaimer: Shareholder in Norfolk Southern
Posts: 465 | From: elgin (s-line) | Registered: Dec 2008
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A prosperous CSX seems to me to be a good thing for all of us. It means our bruised economy is still alive and kicking and I'd certainly vote for our country's freight to move via rail rather than highway.
And yes I do have a vested interest; it keeps me afloat financially every month with a pension check and a healthy rise in stock value. And CSX is increasing the amount it reinvests in the railroad. It announced recently it is kicking in an additional $200 million into its annual plan for reinvesting in the railroad - primarily improving capacity on its main lines as well as additional locomotives.
But isn't there a silver lining in this for Amtrak? With the freight off the 'A' line and upgrading that for commuter service, there is certainly capacity for more passenger train there and existing Amtrak should be able to 'highball' all the way to south Florida from Jax. Who knows, maybe it will become one of Amtrak's 'higher speed' lines (we dare not mention HSR in Florida).
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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I trust we are aware around here that Randy Resor passed at age 61 during November 2013.
I knew Randy "face to face"; "Requisceat in Pacem".
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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