Orlando, Fla. – Brightline, the only provider of modern, eco-friendly intercity rail welcomes the arrival of its first train to Orlando, “Bright Blue 2.” Brightline’s newest train set arrived at Brightline’s Vehicle Maintenance Facility located south of Orlando International Airport, marking a historical moment as the first Brightline train to arrive in Orlando.
Bright Blue 2, a six-car train consisting of two locomotives and four passenger coaches, left the Siemens Rolling Stock facility in Sacramento at the end of January. In total Bright Blue 2 traveled 3,000 miles across 10 states en route to Florida.
“To see Bright Blue 2 drive onto the Vehicle Maintenance Facility site was emotional for all of us and represents a monumental moment for Central Florida and for the entire state as we move closer to connecting our state with high-speed passenger rail,” said Michael Cegelis, EVP, Development and Construction, Brightline.
The train is the second of five new trainsets to arrive in Florida in preparation for the opening of the Brightline station in Orlando. The first train, Bright Red 2 arrived in October 2021 traveling along the Florida East Coast Railway through Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin and Palm Beach Counties to its destination in West Palm Beach.
In partnership with Siemens Mobility, the newest train sets represent Brightline’s commitment to invest billions in American infrastructure, creating the country’s first and only private high-speed rail network. The stainless-steel coaches are made with components from more than 160 suppliers across 27 states. They are designed for luxury and comfort, featuring special ergonomic seating, contemporary communication systems and enhanced Wi-Fi. Thanks to wide aisles, wheelchair storage and fully accessible restrooms, the Venture train set exceeds ADA requirements from end to end.
Brightline’s Orlando extension project is currently 70 percent complete, employs more than 1,300 construction workers and is expected to be complete in late 2022, carrying passengers in 2023.
About Brightline
Brightline is the only provider of modern, eco-friendly, high-speed rail service in America. The company currently operates between Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach in Florida and is scheduled to complete construction to the Orlando International Airport by the end of 2022. Brightline was recognized by Fast Company as one of the Most Innovative Companies in travel, offering a guest-first experience designed to reinvent train travel and take cars off the road. Brightline plans to bring its award-winning service to additional city pairs and congested corridors across the country that are too close to fly and too long to drive, with immediate plans to connect Las Vegas to Southern California. For more information, visit www.gobrightline.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Rod Washington: Rod is a blogger, writer, filmmaker, photographer, daydreamer who likes to cook. Rod produces and directs the web series, CUPIC: Diary of an Investigator. He also produces news and documentary video projects. Check out his podcast StoriesThisMoment at https://m3e.d71.myftpupload.com/stm-tncn-podcasts/
