Brightline’s ‘Bright Orange 2’ Rolls Into Orlando

Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor, Railway Age
Brightline on Feb. 19 welcomed the Bright Orange 2 trainset to Orlando, Fla., following its 10-day journey from Siemens’ rolling stock facility in Sacramento, Calif.
Brightline on Feb. 19 welcomed the Bright Orange 2 trainset to Orlando, Fla., following its 10-day journey from Siemens’ rolling stock facility in Sacramento, Calif.

Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, is one step closer to extending its 67-mile Miami-to-West Palm Beach line north to Orlando.

Bright Orange 2—the last of five new trainsets from Siemens Mobility that will help serve the $2.7-billion, 170-mile extension—arrived in Orlando on Feb. 19, following a 10-day journey from Siemens’ rolling stock facility in Sacramento, Calif. It was delivered with an extra locomotive, which Brightline said will be used to “replace locomotives that are undergoing repair or maintenance.”

The first trainset was delivered in October 2021; Bright Blue 2 arrived in February 2022; and Bright Pink 2 and Bright Green 2 arrived July 21, 2022. Each comprises four coaches and two Charger diesel-electric locomotives (one at each end). Brightline now has 10 trainsets in its fleet.

According to Brightline, the extension to Orlando is now 90% complete, and a second-quarter 2023 opening date is targeted. The railroad on Jan. 9 released a video and renderings of its future 37,350-square-foot Orlando Station.

In related developments, Brightline announced Feb. 6 that it has launched a new rail safety campaign and safety public service announcement (PSA) to remind residents that their decisions around the tracks will impact others in the community.

For more on the Brightline extension project, read “Rolling Into Orlando,” by RT&S Editor-in-Chief and Railway Age Engineering Editor David C. Lester.

Bright Orange 2 is the last of five trainsets to arrive at Brightline in the past 18 months, ahead of service to Orlando.
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