The mood was one of celebration and accomplishment as the first Brightline train pulled into the new Orlando International Airport station on Friday. The arrival signaled the start of revenue service between Miami and Orlando, linking major population centers and attractions in the northern and southern portions of Florida. [see “Brightline Orlando to launch service Sept. 22,” News Wire, Sept. 13, 2023.]
Brightline launched its first revenue service trains to Orlando on Friday to a raucous welcome at the company’s Orlando International Airport station. It was an emotional event for many employees who staked their future on this new company nearly a decade ago. Four photos, Bob JohnstonInitially and through Oct. 2, six daily round trips will run between Orlando and Miami on slightly different schedules than the 16 trips originally published. Two additional departures each way are set to begin Oct. 3 and the full complement of 16 is slated for Oct. 24. Speeds on the Cocoa-West Palm Beach hovered near the 90-mph maximum to mirror the Federal Railroad Administration requirement of simulated revenue service, which Brightline has been operating for the last week. However, the BrightPink trainset effortlessly accelerated to 125 mph on the east-west segment between Cocoa and the airport.An iPhone speedometer confirms the speed on the east-west section between Cocoa and the Orlando International Airport.The second revenue service round-trip from Miami arrives at Orlando Friday afternoon.
Please visit News Wire in the days ahead for additional coverage of the inaugural Brightline trip to Orlando.
