THE ERA OF TRAIN TOURS RESUMES.

Brightline to offer Taylor Swift sing-along trains.  For a Passenger Rail operator doing a lot to distinguish itself from conventional train companies, they're bringing back the themed train, complete with social directors.

Taylor Swift Sing-Along Trains from Orlando to the omnipresent entertainer’s upcoming series of Eras Tour shows at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

The announcement today (July 9), in conjunction with iHeart Radio, carefully avoids using Swift’s full name — no doubt to avoid potential legal issues — in announcing “an immersive Tay-keover train” for “Tay-lovers” to “The Big Concert” Oct. 18, 19, and 20. Trains will feature themed décor, DJs from Orlando radio stations, and offer photo ops and “curated bites and beverages” to Aventura, where shuttles will take them to the stadium.

There are no baggage cars in the Brightline fleet to convert, in the fashion of ski tours or fraternal organization charters, into long, narrow dance halls, although the features on offer would earn the approval of a Burlington or Boston and Maine passenger agent.  Better yet, the promotion has brought the free media in train.

But local media is not having a hard time putting two and two together, and coming up with a load of free publicity.  The Miami Herald; FOX TV stations in Orlando, Tampa Bay, and Gainesville; the NBC affiliate in Orlando are among those who have already posted articles on the trains.

“The Sing-Along Train is a fan’s dream come true, transporting guests through musical eras as they travel to The Big Concert,” Travis Christ, Brightline’s chief commercial officer, said in the press release. “This is more than a ride – it’s a first-of-its-kind immersive experience. Welcome to the Brightline era.”

Brightline's frequency is such that there will be "conventional (non-sing-along)" trains available for, oh, Disney guests or Miami Beach tourists as well as the concert-themed trains.

Two trains will run from Orlando each day, departing at 12:50 p.m. and 1:50 p.m., with tickets at $209 for Smart and $309 for Premium seats one way. There will also be late-night return trains, departing at 12:30 a.m. and 1:30 a.m.

That's an encouraging sign.  Years ago, the Boston Commuter Rail timetables included a note that the late evening trains would not run on nights there was a concert scheduled at Boston Garden.