1st look inside Brightline’s $100 million train maintenance facility in Orlando
It's been a busy few months for Brightline, the Florida-based rail company currently operating high-speed trains between Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.
Two new stations — in Aventura and Boca Raton — opened their doors in December 2022, and the company continues to run test trains ahead of the anticipated launch of long-awaited service to Orlando International Airport (MCO) later this year. One of those trains even hit 130 mph along the newly constructed tracks in Central Florida.
Today, it was an entirely different aspect of Brightline's operations that took center stage, as the company welcomed several members of the media to get a peek inside its new $100 million maintenance facility on the grounds of MCO.
Dubbed "Basecamp" (as a reference to the staging area of many high-altitude mountaineering expeditions), the state-of-the-art complex spans 62 acres and features a number of buildings with a whopping 135,000 square feet of space to perform all kinds of repairs and routine servicing of Brightline's vehicles.
Basecamp was built in partnership with the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, as the facility is on airport property. Departing jets flew directly overhead throughout the morning festivities.
Incredibly, it was only four years ago that the plot of land was covered by a swamp, with chest-high water in some spots. You'd never know that was the case today.
Two full train sets — including front and rear locomotives and four passenger cars (Brightline's standard operating configuration, as of today) — were on display in the massive main building. However, the trains can expand to as many as 10 coaches, and company representatives indicated that these sets will grow as ridership increases along the busy corridor.
Brightline currently features two classes on its trains: Smart and Premium. The latter includes lounge access at stations and complimentary food and drinks on board.
I can tell you, though, from my own experience walking through the cars that both are quite spacious and comfortable. Every passenger enjoys complimentary Wi-Fi and power outlets at each seat.
Back outside the train, we got a chance to check out the impressive parts warehouse just off the main building. Occupying 11,000 square feet, the space features air conditioning for more sensitive material, along with a "wheel true" machine that functions as a lathe to address wear and tear on the wheels.
Just outside the main doors sits a dual-train fueling system and a train wash facility. Even though we weren't able to see the cleaning process in action, the company recently launched a video that details how it works.
Perhaps the coolest aspect of the facility is the pair of undercarriage pits, both of which allow technicians to climb beneath the wheel wells to service everything on the underside of the vehicles. This will happen for up to eight trains a day once service to Orlando launches.
Of course, the timeline question took center stage during introductory remarks by Patrick Goddard, president of Brightline Trains. While he couldn't commit to a specific date, a local reporter pressed him on whether Q2 or summer still seemed feasible, and he indicated that was "in the ballpark."
That said, he and fellow Brightline reps were quick to note that tests were ongoing to comply with regulatory requirements, and they wouldn't pressure the team to complete them more quickly. If any issues are found, the launch date could shift. Safety, they reiterated, is the top priority — and not only related to the new section of tracks.
Since they first took to the rails in 2017, Brightline trains have been involved in at least 88 deaths, according to a recent news article from the Associated Press. None of the deaths were the company's fault — the majority involved suicide, along with pedestrians or vehicles ignoring downed crossing gates and warning lights. However, Brightline continues to invest millions of dollars into safety along Florida's east coast.
The company also launched a website devoted to the topic. There, you'll find a safety pledge for customers — with the goal of reaching 50,000 signatures.
Related: Florida's new high-speed train makes 1st test run to Orlando airport
Company reps were mum on additional expansion plans beyond Orlando as they remain focused on the final steps to launch service to MCO. However, Brightline's website indicated Tampa as a future expansion spot. Additionally, a search of the Brevard County Property Appraiser indicates that "Brightline Trains Florida, LLC" currently owns a little more than 70 acres of land in Cocoa near the intersection of U.S. Highway 1 and state Road 528.
This spot is particularly interesting, as it happens to be where trains will slow down before turning west en route to Orlando — and it's also just a short drive to Port Canaveral, which was the world's busiest cruise port in 2022.
For now, though, it appears that Brightline's ubiquitous black-and-yellow trains are on track to pull into the brand-new station in Terminal C at MCO in a matter of months.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.