The commuter rail that they’re trying (and probably will) expand in Southeast Florida will be on privately owned railroad right-of-way. The gov’t will lease the use of the lines from the RR owner. I believe that is how SunRail is operating as well. So, the gov’t comes in, refurbs the rails to accommodate the passenger loads, and then leases the rails from the owner. Pretty sweet deal for the owner. Particularly in Southeast florida, I know Jupiter has a very old railroad bridge that lowers for the train every time it goes through and halts any larger boat traffic. I guess that will get rebuilt for the railroad.
Things can get sticky when it comes to dispatching and liability for repair of the rails.
The present active part of SunRail was bought by the state from CSX (causing most of CSX’s trains to be rerouted onto their “S” Line), and they hired Bombardier Technology to run the passenger trains.
On top of all of that, no matter how fast you run the passenger trains, there is the recent added expense of the FRA requiring “automatic train stop” devices on trains, triggered by the signal system. Costs will never go down under the present-day micromanaging governments.
All Aboard Florida is a scheme of Florida East Coast Industries to run passenger trains from Miami to north Titusville then west to Orlando. FEC runs freight trains up and down the east coast of Florida, Jacksonville to Miami. They now want to run over the same tracks 32 passenger trains per day at 125 mph from Miami to Orlando. There are no stops planned between West Palm and Titusville. Every municipality and county will have to pony up millions of dollars for upgraded crossings. Additionally there is an increase in traffic interruptions, which has implications for public safety (police/fire/ems) and likely new buildings required to mitigate impact from increase traffic disruption. That’s the tip of the iceberg. Several counties are suing.
They haven’t disclosed their ridership estimates. They want to issue tax exempt bonds, the Florida Development Finance Corporation (state) is meeting in a few weeks. More: http://www.floridanotallaboard.net/news/fdfc-is-not-empowered-to-grant-1-7-billion-in-tax-exempt-bonds/
I’m aware of this because it effects my area.