October 3, 2026
BRIGHTLINE TEAMS UP WITH ORLANDO HEALTH CHILDREN’S ARNOLD PALMER HOSPITAL FOR UNFORGETTABLE “CONDUCTOR FOR A DAY"
Families Experiencing Pediatric Cancer Given Special Behind the Scenes Experience
Orlando, FL (Oct. 3, 2026) — Brightline partnered with Orlando Health Children's Arnold Palmer Hospital to create a memorable "Conductor for a Day" experience for several children receiving treatment for pediatric cancer and their families at Brightline's Basecamp vehicle maintenance facility in Orlando.
The special event, held in recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, provided young patients and their families with exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Brightline's state-of-the-art maintenance facility, where they explored trains up close, learned how the fleet is maintained and experienced what it is like to work on the nation's first privately owned and operated intercity passenger rail system.
Throughout the morning, the children toured the facility alongside Brightline team members, sat in the engineer's seat of a Brightline locomotive, and discovered the technology and teamwork that keep trains moving safely throughout Florida. The families also participated in Brightline's rail safety pledge.
"The courage these children demonstrate every day is truly inspiring," said Krystal Ritter, Director of Partnerships, Brightline Florida. "We were honored to welcome these families to Basecamp and give them an opportunity to experience what many consider a dream job. At Brightline, we believe in creating meaningful connections in the communities we serve, and it was incredibly rewarding to see the joy and excitement throughout the day. "
The event was designed to recognize the resilience of children battling cancer while providing families with a unique and uplifting experience outside of the hospital setting.
"Experiences like this create moments of joy and normalcy for children and families facing extraordinary challenges," said Lauren LaRuffa, assistant manager, patient events and community engagement at Orlando Health Children’s Arnold Palmer Hospital. "Opportunities like this help make a meaningful difference during a difficult journey."
Children and their families were presented with Brightline conductor hats and participated in hands-on activities throughout the facility, giving them a rare glimpse into the operations behind Florida's passenger rail service.
The "Conductor for a Day" event reflects the shared commitment of Brightline and Orlando Health Children's Arnold Palmer Hospital to support local families and bring awareness to pediatric cancer while celebrating the strength and determination of young patients.
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ABOUT BRIGHTLINE
Brightline seamlessly connects travelers to top destinations and major events between Central and South Florida with stations in Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and Orlando. The company offers a hospitality-centric experience designed to reinvent train travel at a comparable price to driving or flying. Brightline is recognized as one of TIME100’s Most Influential Companies, one of the World’s 50 Most Innovative by Fast Company and one of the fastest-growing private companies in the Southeast by Inc. The company focuses on city pairs that are too close to fly and too long to drive. Construction is currently underway to connect Las Vegas to Southern California. For more information, visit www.gobrightline.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Ashley Blasewitz, Brightline, ashley.blasewitz@gobrightline.com
Michael Hicks, Brightline, mhicks@bltrain.com