ORLANDO — A Brightline train has hit speeds of 130 mph in testing on passenger operator’s corridor between Orlando and Cocoa, Fla., the company announced this morning (March 6, 2023), making it the fastest train ever to operate in Florida and the southeastern U.S.
The 35-mile route paralleling the Beachline Expressway (State Route 528) is fenced and has no grade crossings. Brightline plans to operate at 125 when passenger service begins, but is required during testing to run at faster than planned operating speeds.
“Reaching 130 isn’t just another milestone to our team, but the continuation of a dream that we’ve been working towards for several years,” Patrick Goddard, president of Brightline Trains, said in a press release. “More importantly, this historic feat brings us one step closer to launching Brightline service between Orlando and Miami.”
The company surpassed its previous top speed of 110 mph, set last fall in testing through Martin and St. Lucie counties.
“Florida has alway been at the forefront of train travel since the days when Henry Flagler connected Jacksonville to the Keys,” said Jim Kovalsky, president, Florida East Coast Railway Society. “Back then, there were reports that trains ran at 100 mph, but no one ever dreamed of reaching 130 mph. Brightline dreamed big and did it. History has been made and Henry Flagler would be proud.”
The trainset involved includes two 4,000-hp Siemens SCB40 locomotives and four coaches. Testing includes proving the positive train control needed for high speed operation [see “Brightline update: PTC plans outlined …,” Trains News Wire, Jan. 3, 2023].
Testing on the Orlando-Cocoa corridor is slated to continue daily between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. as Brightline works toward a target of starting service between Orlando and Miami in the second quarter of 2023.
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