https://www.wlrn.org/podcast/killer-train en WLRN 2026 Brightline, the first private passenger train to open in the U.S. in more than a century, is hailed as a national model for the future of rail. Since 2018, Brightline has sold millions of train tickets in Florida, and now the company is expanding to the West Coast. A yearlong investigation from WLRN News and the Miami Herald uncovers a glaring dark side: Brightline remains the deadliest passenger train in the country by far. According to federal data, someone is killed on average once every 13 days of operation. While the company has claimed most deaths are suicides, in fact, the majority were found to be accidents or their causes were undetermined. And while it’s a private venture, hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars are being earmarked for Brightline projects. In Killer Train, our team of journalists offers the most comprehensive answer yet to the question: Why is Brightline so deadly? https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/661d6cc0-60ca-11f0-b526-9733b1fbcfc6/image/66be4c332f6a77c5cb5e8caec3dd9f4b.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress https://www.wlrn.org/podcast/killer-train yes episodic WLRN News, Miami Herald Brightline, the first private passenger train to open in the U.S. in more than a century, is hailed as a national model for the future of rail. Since 2018, Brightline has sold millions of train tickets in Florida, and now the company is expanding to the West Coast. A yearlong investigation from WLRN News and the Miami Herald uncovers a glaring dark side: Brightline remains the deadliest passenger train in the country by far. According to federal data, someone is killed on average once every 13 days of operation. While the company has claimed most deaths are suicides, in fact, the majority were found to be accidents or their causes were undetermined. And while it’s a private venture, hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars are being earmarked for Brightline projects. In Killer Train, our team of journalists offers the most comprehensive answer yet to the question: Why is Brightline so deadly? WLRN podcasts@wlrnnews.org https://www.wlrn.org/podcast/killer-train/2025-12-30/over-under The future of Brightline may depend upon public dollars for safety upgrades, critical infrastructure and for keeping the company's struggling finances afloat. Tue, 30 Dec 2025 17:34:05 -0000 Over / under full WLRN News, Miami Herald The future of Brightline may depend upon public dollars for safety upgrades,… The future of Brightline may depend upon public dollars for safety upgrades, critical infrastructure and for keeping the company's struggling finances afloat. 1795 https://www.wlrn.org/podcast/killer-train/2025-11-20/sitting-ducks Why are some railroad crossings more dangerous than others, according to federal data? Drivers who survived collisions with Brightline trains argue the infrastructure around the tracks put them in harm's way. Thu, 20 Nov 2025 10:00:00 -0000 Sitting ducks full WLRN News, Miami Herald Why are some railroad crossings more dangerous than others, according to… Why are some railroad crossings more dangerous than others, according to federal data? Drivers who survived collisions with Brightline trains argue the infrastructure around the tracks put them in harm's way. 1636 https://www.wlrn.org/podcast/killer-train/2025-10-30/the-high-price-of-quiet-trains The tracks Brightline trains run on were already the deadliest stretch of railroad in the nation in the 1980s and 90s, according to federal data. Have local governments learned anything from that history? Thu, 30 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -0000 The high price of quiet trains full WLRN News, Miami Herald The tracks Brightline trains run on were already the deadliest stretch of… The tracks Brightline trains run on were already the deadliest stretch of railroad in the nation in the 1980s and 90s, according to federal data. Have local governments learned anything from that history? 1701 https://www.wlrn.org/podcast/killer-train/2025-07-29/you-never-think-that-youll-die-in-that-way Hear the stories of three people who lost their lives on the tracks, in the words of the loved ones they left behind. Tue, 29 Jul 2025 09:00:00 -0000 'You never think that you'll die in that way' full WLRN News, Miami Herald Hear the stories of three people who lost their lives on the tracks, in the… Hear the stories of three people who lost their lives on the tracks, in the words of the loved ones they left behind. 1884 yes https://www.wlrn.org/podcast/killer-train/2025-07-22/bonus-episode-cracking-open-brightlines-books Brightline hasn’t yet turned a profit — and it’s billions of dollars in debt. Tue, 22 Jul 2025 09:10:00 -0000 Bonus Episode: Cracking open Brightline’s books full WLRN News, Miami Herald Brightline hasn’t yet turned a profit — and it’s billions of dollars in debt. Brightline hasn’t yet turned a profit — and it’s billions of dollars in debt. 1895 https://www.wlrn.org/podcast/killer-train/2025-07-22/should-tax-dollars-pay-for-a-private-train Taxpayers are on the hook for hundreds of millions in costs related to Brightline, despite the company’s initial claims that the train would be fully funded by private investment. Tue, 22 Jul 2025 09:00:00 -0000 Should tax dollars pay for a private train? full WLRN News, Miami Herald Taxpayers are on the hook for hundreds of millions in costs related to… Taxpayers are on the hook for hundreds of millions in costs related to Brightline, despite the company’s initial claims that the train would be fully funded by private investment. 1666 https://www.wlrn.org/podcast/killer-train/2025-07-15/emergency Early on, the promise of a private passenger train connecting South Florida’s cities was tempered by the reality: People were dying on the tracks. Tue, 15 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0000 Emergency full 1 WLRN News, Miami Herald Early on, the promise of a private passenger train connecting South Florida’s… Early on, the promise of a private passenger train connecting South Florida’s cities was tempered by the reality: People were dying on the tracks. 1848 yes https://www.wlrn.org/podcast/killer-train/2025-07-14/introducing-killer-train Florida’s Brightline has been hailed as a model for the future of U.S. rail. It’s also the deadliest passenger train in the country by far, according to federal data. Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:57:05 -0000 Introducing Killer Train full WLRN News, Miami Herald Florida’s Brightline has been hailed as a model for the future of U.S. rail.… Florida’s Brightline has been hailed as a model for the future of U.S. rail. It’s also the deadliest passenger train in the country by far, according to federal data. 325