Gents, we gather here to discuss the affairs of a small railroad that can only be described as a 'class act'; anything I've seen of the FEC (some with Mr. Weaver as the tour guide) over the years would bear that out. On issues such as labor work rules reform and the "need' for 'cabeese' on trains, FEC lead; the "big brothers" comprising Class i industry followed. Further, since we are away from the Amtrak Forum, I can state that I am an advocate of railroad industry interests second to none.
Now with that having been said, I remain quite skeptical regarding rail access to the Port, and I further have to question 'what's in it for the FEC?". I cannot foresee any kind of grade separation project such as the Alameda Corridor moving forth and I again note that the resistance to operating 100 car trains through Downtown Miami will be of the "you ain't seen nothing yet" varietal. But even with rail access restored to Dodge Island (and the anti-rail interests all mollified), I again ask 'what's in it for the FEC?". Does anyone know if the transfer trucking operators are paid by the FEC as if they were a 'reciprocal switch" and hence "absorbed' within their Line Haul? Would any operational efficiencies inure to the FEC (to handling the shipment yes; one less transload to make)?
While I'm certain any participant at this Forum would welcome the removal of "law unto themselves' highway tractors from Downtown city thoroughfares such as Biscayne Blvd, the 'public at large" is more concerned that they are not delayed by a train and miss seeing LeBron tip-off; I'd welcome a different outcome than I foresee, but $22M of Feddybux notwithstanding, I fail to see anything other than an uphill battle.
Finally a related "of sorts" point; is the FEC Hialeah Yard (located to the West of the Airport - KMIA) actually within the Municipal Limits of Hialeah, I'd rather doubt it, but then I should best say "enquiring mind wants to know".