Daily test runs will begin Monday, January 17th between West Palm Beach and Cocoa, through the
Brightline Train Heading North Through Deerfield Beach
Treasure Coast. No passengers will be aboard the trains. A reminder to stay alert near the railroad tracks.
From the Brightline Press Release:
“Qualifying trains will operate one round trip a day and are expected to occur daily through 2022. Qualifying runs are the federally approved approach to familiarize certified engineers and conductors with new rail territory. Operating a train requires engineers and conductors to be intimately familiar with the rail corridor, including road crossings, signals, curves and speed restrictions. During qualifying runs, Brightline train crews will work with a manager already qualified on the territory, who will provide oversight and instruction.
Brightline trains will be operating at freight speeds, with maximum speeds of 60 miles per hour. For qualifying runs, Brightline trains will NOT be operating faster than 60 miles per hour.
Per federal statute, Brightline and freight trains will be required to blow the horn as they approach at-grade crossings or in an emergency situation.
Brightline expects to reach substantial completion of the Orlando extension by the end of 2022 and begin service in early 2023.
Read more from Brightline
At least 5 people have been killed since the higher-speed train began running the West Palm to Miami route since the beginning of the year.