However, unless the proposed service over the FEC will not result in any reduction of service over the existing ACL-Auburndale-SAL routing, I do not think much of the idea.

First, the FEC has not operated a scheduled passenger train since 1969 (the through trains were rerouted early 1962 resulting from a strike). At that time, Mickey was only indigenous to Southern California, and since the Orlando area tourist attractions (all of which arose resulting from the rodent's cloning and migration to the East), are the "#1 draw" for visitors using any mode of transportation, it would be folly to have any existing Amtrak service bypassing them.

Let's address what, if anything, would be gained by service diverted to an FEC routing.

Vero Beach? I've been there many times (father once resided there) and it has always been "Zero Beach" to me. In fact, I somehow think that the return coupon of all too many round trip tickets would be submitted for refund by the Executor of a passenger's Estate.

Cape Canaveral's Kennedy Space Center is presently served by "Ambus" from Orlando, which can't be all that inconvenient.

I must acknowledge that Amtrak has a cross marketing arrangement with NASCAR, even though such strikes me as a "strange bedfellows" situation. Daytona is the best known "running" on the "circuit" (or at least has the most predominant TV coverage).

Northeastern Florida does have some attractive resorts such as St Augustine, Ormond Beach, and Palm Coast; but their "season" is FROM Easter TO Thanksgiving (with time out in August and September for hurricanes) instead of the prevailing opposite for West Palm and South. During the summer if there are spare A-II's and Viewliners available, they are needed to augument the Lake Shore's consist.

In short, the most positive thing that could arise from an FEC routing would be service to the well known Martin County area such as Hobe Sound and the "emerging areas" such as Jupiter and Jensen Beach (whoops, St Lucie for Jensen).

I know that there will be differing opinions to this post; in fact I have even sent a "heads up" to a member whom I know has differing thoughts. So tune in for the rebuttals.

1) FEC has installed a Harris cab signal enforcement system (Harris, now owned by GE, is on-line, in Melbourne, FL.) Don't know the details of it, but as Mr. Norman points out, FEC wouldn't want to create too many dispatching problems for itself.

2) FEC is indeed welded rail, concrete ties, and CTC (with enforcement) in its entirety).