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We got cards this morning from a group Virginians for High Speed rail It seems "Amtrak released a study recommending additional state sponsored passenger trains on the Newport News-Richmond-Washington and Lynchburg-Charlottesville-Washington rail corridors." Governor Kaine proposed $14-$15annually for passenger rail. the purpose for the cards is for everyone to contact their state delegate and tell them to vote for this.On the bottom is your delegate's name and phone # It will be interesting to see what happens next.
palmland Member # 4344
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I have read that that there is some discussion about starting a new service from Lynchburg to Washington through Charlottesville. Apparently Amtrak can use existing equipment that is idle at that time of day. It sounds like it is designed for the long distance commuter as it would be early AM into DC and late afternoon return.
Maybe this could eventually link up with some of the North Carolina new train initiatives.
George Harris Member # 2077
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The illogic of this proposed Lynchburg - DC service is that it is very close to the time of the Crescent. I would think tacking a couple of coaches onto the Crescent at Lynchburg would be much cheaper. If they really want to run another train on this route, then make it a morning train out of DC, afternoon departure from Lynchburg.
train lady Member # 3920
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On the card we got it didn't mention any times at all and I have not seen anythng about this group or the proposed budget item in our local paper. It is usually up to date on state and local news. Many people do commute from Fredericksburg by VRE but I don't know how many would come up from Lynchburg or Charlottesville
George Harris Member # 2077
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Here is where I saw it: Table 3, top of page 14 in a report by Amtrak titled "Advancing Passenger Rail in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Short Term Action plan, Part 1"
Can probably be found on Amtrak's web site but this is the one I just relocated it on.
Shows a New York to Lynchburg train leaving New York at noon, arriving Lynchburg at 8:25pm and leaving Lynchburg at 5:05am, arriving New York at 12:40 noon. Run time on the Washington DC to Lynchburg part, 3h35 min both ways.
train lady Member # 3920
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Interesting...thanks George
palmland Member # 4344
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I agree, George, that the schedule seems too close to the Crescent. I believe the justification was that the Crescent was not reliable enough northbound to be used for local traffic into DC.
Maybe a change to the Crescent schedule would be in order. The old SRR Peach Queen had a more civilized schedule for the Carolinas into DC/NYC and one I would selfishly like to see: Lv. Greenville, SC at 5:45pm and then decent times through Spartanburg, Charlotte, and Greensboro with DC arrival at 6:40am and NYC at 10:55am. Of course that would mess up the schedule south of Birmingham and probably require a separate train from Birmingham to NOL.
Trains will run almost every hour between Washington and Richmond - including Main Street Station downtown - within 10 years under a deal between Virginia and CSX Corp. that will open the gateway for expanded rail service in the region and other parts of the state.
The blockbuster $3.7 billion agreement that Gov. Ralph Northam and CSX announced on Thursday will give Virginia control over hundreds of miles of railroad track and underlying right-of-way in three rail corridors, including the former RF&P line that parallels Interstate 95 between Richmond and Washington. It will not expand the two-track rail line that runs through Ashland, which the state already has promised to preserve.
Now the question? How will CSX route their traffic?
palmland Member # 4344
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Wow is right, GBN. We are contemplating a move north to be closer to our sons in our dotage, and Ashland is on the short list for lots of reasons. Good trains service is important when we no longer wish (or are able) to drive.
George Harris Member # 2077
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"It will not expand the two-track rail line that runs through Ashland, which the state already has promised to preserve." Sounds like a political promise made by someone who has no clue of the reality of railroad operations. If they are going for hourly service, they better be thinking of at least three tracks, and better four end to end, particularly with four through the stop locations. Possibly should have a dedicated platform track at all stopping points so that an ADA platform can be built.
Jerome Nicholson Member # 3116
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This is something I never thought I would live to see, though I probably won't live to see it completed. It might help to know that Virginia's governor is Ralph Northam. Tim Kaine is one of VA's two Democratic Senators. I hadn't heard about the plans for the Manassas - Lynchburg line, which is a good plan for the future. Anyone who has driven U.S.29 or I-81, let alone I-66, Anyone in Fredericksburg who sees the traffic on Plank Road (route3) to Culpepper realizes that the VRE and Amtrak could do wonders with expansion from Manassas to Culpepper and Charlottesville, which will in the future be a suburb of Washington DC.like Fredericksburg is now. Sorry, Mr Harris, but Amtrak's long distance trains are not reliable enough to serve commuters in a growing corridor by adding coaches in Lynchburg. They might as well add coaches in Richmond and get rid of the regional trains that leave there at 4AM.and later. Could the Silver Meteor/Star handle that? But a morning departure from Washington to Charlottesville and Lynchburg would be good for daytrippers. I'm also wondering where CSX's freight trains are to go. Good to see Richmond's Main Street Station is still on board to be again a full service station. I'd thought that idea was dead after the rediscovery of Richmond's slave history nearby. Staple Mill Station is gonna need a bigger building, if not a better location. At least it now gets regular bus service from the local transit agency. And the future Ashland Bottleneck will be something for future railfans to see! VRE , Amtrak regional and LD trains going through town almost constantly! And how can they add more track without taking out Railroad Anenue which fronts a lot of the houses and businesses in town? Will Ashland rue the day?
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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quote:Originally posted by Jerome Nicholson: I hadn't heard about the plans for the Manassas - Lynchburg line, which is a good plan for the future. Anyone who has driven U.S.29 or I-81, let alone I-66, Anyone in Fredericksburg who sees the traffic on Plank Road (route3) to Culpepper realizes that the VRE and Amtrak could do wonders with expansion from Manassas to Culpepper and Charlottesville, which will in the future be a suburb of Washington DC.
Pleased to see this place "perking up" a bit if late.
The routes you note, Mr. Nicholson, I "driven 'em all" and wholly agree. Save around Jerry Fallwell's "Temple unto himself" not much of US 29 is Interstate. I had a "closer than I wanted" encounter with "Farmer Alfalfa" hauling a roll of hay X-ing the highway (divided but blind intersections marked for 45mph).
It's no wonder the Lynchburg train is "doing OK". The Roanoke extension I have to wonder about.
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