Virgin Trains Terminal in Miami (Source Virgin Trains)

Virgin Trains, a subsidiary of Virgin Group, is a privately funded rail company is developing 170 miles of new track into the completed state-of-the-art intermodal facility located in the new South Terminal at the Orlando International Airport (MCO) as part of the company’s Phase 2 expansion into Central Florida.

“This is a historic milestone on the path to reinventing passenger rail in America and clearly demonstrates the leadership role that the private sector can play in revitalizing our nation’s infrastructure,” said Virgin Trains Chairman and co-founder of Fortress Investment Group Wes Edens. “Virgin Trains service between Orlando and Miami will launch an American passenger rail renaissance. We expect that this will be the first of many passenger lines in the U.S. that follow this model for connecting city pairs that are too close to fly and too far to drive.”

Virgin Trains’ expansion into Orlando the most visited city in the United States comes as travel to the Sunshine State is at an all-time high. Orlando International Airport welcomed a record-breaking 47 million passengers last year.

“Officially launching construction to Orlando marks a huge milestone for Virgin Trains and the realization of our vision to reinvent passenger rail in America,” said Virgin Trains President Patrick Goddard. “Connecting Orlando and Miami, two of our nation’s greatest cities, will provide tremendous economic and environmental benefits that
will be an asset to Florida for generations.”

The Expansion between Orlando and South Florida represents isn’t the only route Virgin Trains’ has planned as they have also announced that they have begun construction on a line that connects Southern California and Las Vegas Nevada.  If you want a peek at what to expect riding the scarlet rails of virgin trains you can see the New Miami Central terminal and take a ride between Miami and Fort Lauderdale.