The Brightline train is getting closer to connecting Orlando all the way to Miami!
©Brightline
Back in February, we learned that the train’s expansion from West Palm Beach to Orlando was 90% complete and service was expected to start in the second quarter of 2023. The final train in the fleet has also arrived in Central Florida. But now we’ve got another Brightline train update!
According to the Orlando Business Journal, Brightline just hit 130 mph while testing a rail corridor between the Orlando International Airport and Cocoa. That’s FAST! And that’s not the end of testing. Brightline currently plans to do more testing before the rail service begins between Orlando and South Florida.
Katie Mitzner, a Brightline spokesperson, shared, “This is the fastest a train has traveled in the Southeast.” That test speed (130 mph) is about 5 mph above the speed it’ll travel once the expansion between Orlando and West Palm Beach opens.
Eventually, testing will be done in a “simulated service” manner, which will basically test the route the train will run as if it was making a normal trip along the entire corridor.
©Brightline via The Orlando Sentinel
According to the Orlando Business Journal, service between Orlando and South Florida will begin by the end of June. That lines up with the second quarter timeline previously provided (as the second quarter of 2023 would end on June 30th).
Once the train opens, it will travel at 110 mph between West Palm Beach and Cocoa. And then it’ll pick up speed and go 125 mph between Cocoa and the Orlando International Airport.
©Brightline
Construction is still at about 90% complete, but some things will be done soon. The Brightline train station at the Orlando Airport will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony in April. That is for the station only though. Again, service between South Florida and Orlando isn’t expected to start until the second quarter of 2023.
And work continues on the path the train will then take through Orlando. The Sunshine Corridor plan is the current strategy. It would have Brightline share a corridor with the existing SunRail service, and it would make stops (potentially) at the Orange County Convention Center and South International Drive. A potential stop “near” Disney World has also been discussed. The plan is then to eventually connect with Tampa (if possible).
© Orlando Business Journal
We’re continuing to keep an eye out for updates on the train situation. If you’re interested in a transportation method from South Florida to Orlando that’ll take the stress of driving off of your shoulders, stay tuned for more updates.
In the meantime, click here to get a look INSIDE the Orlando Airport Brightline train station.
Click here to learn about the best airport to use for a Disney World trip
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Even if there was a BrightLine station at Disney Springs, presumably if you had luggage you’d have to take an Uber or something else to a resort as you can’t take luggage on a Disney bus. Am I correct about that?
Any word about train service from Miami International Airport to Orlando International Airport?
We are taking a late summer Disney Cruise from Miami this year and it would be great to be able to take the train from Miami to Orlando and spend a few days in Disney World before flying back home.
Hi Colin! You are correct. Luggage is not permitted on Disney buses beyond backpacks, but we are keeping an eye on that in case any changes are made to that rule once the Brightline train is in operation.