Brightline to begin training runs between Cocoa, West Palm Beach – WFTV

COCOA, Fla. — The plan to build a high-speed rail system connecting Miami and Orlando is set to take a critical step forward.

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Brightline announced Friday it will start running “qualifying” trains between West Palm Beach and Cocoa starting Monday, January 17.

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Qualifying runs provide opportunities for train engineers and conductors to learn the new rail territory.

The trains, which won’t have passengers aboard, will operate a round trip along the 130-mile corridor daily through 2022.

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For qualifying runs, the trains will operate below 60 miles per hour and will be required to blow their horns as they approach at-grade crossings, or if there’s an emergency situation.

Brightline says construction on the extension that runs between the West Palm Beach station and Orlando International Airport is more than 70 percent complete.

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They expect to complete the Orlando extension by the end of 2022 and begin service in 2023.

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