The Brightline train is getting closer to connecting Orlando all the way to Miami!

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.

The train will continue to be tested at that speed within the 35-mile corridor between the airport and Cocoa. And Brightline is expected to do some more testing soon at around 110 mph in Brevard County.

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.

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.

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).

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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Will you be taking the train? Tell us in the comments.

The post We’re One Step Closer to the Opening of the Brightline Orlando Airport Train first appeared on the disney food blog.