Monday midday rail news:
Brightline, Disney World announce station agreement
Brightline and Walt Disney World have announced an agreement to build a Brightline station at to serve the resort at the Disney Springs shopping, dining, and entertainment complex. The preliminary concept calls for ground level lobby and passenger facilities with an upper-level train platform. “Brightline will offer a car-free connection to the millions of visitors from around the state and the world who plan to make Walt Disney World Resort part of their vacation plans,” Brightline President Patrick Goddard said in a press release. “Our mission has always been to connect our guests to the people and places that matter, and Walt Disney World Resort is a tremendous example of this.” The press release says the agreement is conditioned on Brightline receiving all necessary government approvals and satisfaction of certain other obligations. Brightline is scheduled to begin service from South Florida to Orlando International Airport in 2022, and is in discussions with Orlando-area commuter railroad SunRail about a shared rail line that would help Brightline reach Walt Disney World and enable SunRailservice to the Orlando Airport [see “Digest: Brightline nears halfway mark in Orlando expansion work,” Trains News Wire, Nov. 16, 2020].
Derailment, hazmat spill closes California highway
California Route 99, a major north-south highway through the San Joaquin Valley, is closed because of a hazardous materials spill resulting from a train derailment. The Visalia Times-Delta reports police were informed of the incident near Goshen, Calif., about 6:45 a.m., and that at least seven cars are derailed. No further information is available at this time.
Station converted to home for sale in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
If you’ve ever wanted to live in a train station, now’s your chance. MLive.com reports a 110-year-old former station in Negaunee, Mich., in the state’s Upper Peninsula, converted to a private home in 2001, is now on the market. The 2,750-square-foot structure, which incorporates many of its original depot features, is on the market for $324,900. The ticket windows, for example, are now pass-through windows between the kitchen and dining room. The home’s real estate listing, with a wealth of photos, is available here.
