One of the most crafty secrets of the pro-rail strategy is the excellent placement of Tampa Union Station dead smack in the middle of Tampa's new downtown urban epicenter.  We don't know yet exactly how Tampa Union Station will fit into the long-rail urban rail developments of Tampa, but it's certain to serve as a hub of one sort or other to Florida high speed rail, or, even just a well planned and connected conventional commuter rail network serving connections to central and Southwest Florida.  People will be able to work in Orlando or Ft. Myers, yet, return home each night to their condo at Grand Central Kennedy.  It is most destin to re-serve Tampa as a vital component to the local economy, just as it did when it first opened in 1912.

In Fact, Here's Something to Salute Right Now

I received an e-mail from a one "Jackson" who pointed out that Tampa Union Station will be celebrating National Train Day 2009 this May 9th.  To coincide with the celebration, friends of Tampa Union Station and the Florida Coalition of Rail Passengers have given the station its own website at www.tampaunionstation.com.

One of the memorila pictures at TampaUnionStation.com.

This is a humble website with a lot of spirit and great information about the role of the station in Tampa's development.  As for the event itself, Jackson notes:

From 12 noon to 5:00 PM, this event will include live music, railroad equipment displays from Amtrak, exhibits from TBARTA and SunRail, model trains, history displays, and more. Please be there and bring a friend!

Tampa Light Rail News

I noticed two stories in the RSS bin this morning, both by the Tampa Tribune:

• Finally a Step Forward in the Long Debate on Rail
• Mass Transit Drives Population: Report

Mass Transit in General

HART is circulating information via e-mail regarding BRT.  They'll be holding an open house on May 12 to discuss BRT with anyone who drops in.  You can get all the details right here.