posted
Saw this on another site. It outlines plans for expanded service and a new station for Newport News service.
This in addition to the start up of the new Norfolk service in a couple weeks. Northern Virginia is fast becoming part of the NEC.
I wonder if the new Republican governor of NC will support that state's successful Piedmont service. As the article points out, federal subsidy for state services ends in October of 2013.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Palmland - Is there anyway you can head west, from Norfolk, by train to meet up with the Cardinal route (without first having to go north to DC)?
I see, from the Amtrak systems map, that there is a green line from Richmond to Charlottesville, which usually means a bus connection. Is there any light rail run or might there be in the future, between Richmond and Charlottesville? I believe that the Chesapeake & Ohio once had a connection (Newport News service). Are the tracks still in place?
Richard
Posts: 1909 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Richard, not since The Mountaineer came off during 1977 to be replaced by The Hilltopper.
The latter survived until the Carter Cuts.
As I recall, The Mountaineer had through cars interchanged with (now) The Cardinal at Ashland.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Richard - good idea and Amtrak even shows it in their system. But, I'm not likely to be enticed by a 4:50am departure. They also show a later departure but via bus from NFK to Newport News. The return is also via News, presumably because the Cardinal is notoriously late. If you're brave though, the schedule shows about 1 1/2 hours between bus arrival in RVR and the departure of the Norfolk train. And this is at much more civilized hours.
174 Northeast Regional (NFK - RVR) Depart: 4:50 am, Wed, Dec 19, 2012 Arrive: 7:10 am, Wed, Dec 19, 2012
4051 Bus (RVR - CVS) Depart: 12:00 pm, Wed, Dec 19, 2012 Arrive: 1:30 pm, Wed, Dec 19, 2012
quote:Originally posted by yukon11: Is there any light rail run or might there be in the future, between Richmond and Charlottesville? I believe that the Chesapeake & Ohio once had a connection (Newport News service). Are the tracks still in place?
I am reasonably sure that the ex-C&O track between Richmond and Charlottesville is still there. I believe that this is now part of the Buckingham Branch shortline that carries the Cardinal between Orange and Clifton Forge. This line was never fast and is several miles longer than the road distance. I think it is the route used by the westbound empty coal trains. I am saying all this from memory so it may need quite a bit of correction.
Posts: 2808 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Correct on all counts, George. The fleeting of CSX coal trains over the BB is the cause of much consternation on the BB and often cause for delay to 50/51. I think the long time local bus line, James River Transportation, is a sensible alternative to a return to the Hilltopper, or more interestingly, the N. News section of the FFV. Their buses that I've seen at RVR look well maintained and comfortable. It's certainly a lot faster. I wonder how many other Amtrak schedules provide for a bus bridge between two trains?
Of some interest perhaps, the former classic C&O station in Doswell, Va (about 20+ miles N. of RVR) is now used as the local office of the BB railroad. Not so long ago, local CSX attorneys hung out there when needing an office but not wanting to head into downtown Richmond.
The BB local freight starts there and has an interchange with CSX. In the old days, it was also a stop for a few RF&P trains and the C&O at that busy crosstrack. In my college days, the stop there meant I would be getting off in Ashland in a few minutes when returning to school on the midnight mail and express train from Washington.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
I am pleased with Virginia's enthusiasm for expanding rail passenger service (even saw an article recently about perhaps going back to Roanoke within 5 years) but wonder whether the resources consumed by returning to Norfolk would have been better spent increasing frequency to Newport News and an expanded network of bus connections there.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
We'll see how important that 'one seat' ride is for those that want to travel to the Norfolk area. Otherwise, you are probably correct, David.
A few years ago, Virginia had also talked about service across its southern tier. I believe they had a name for it, which escapes me. In any event, if Roanoke service from Lynchburg does in fact begin in 5 years, then it's only 120 miles to connect Lynchburg with Petersburg. Highway US 460 isn't very fast and roughly parallels the NS.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Multiple sources are reporting today on Virgina Governor Bob McDonald's plan for a massive funding bill for transportation projects in the state. Apparently this will be from a dedicated source - the expected increase in sales tax to replace the gasoline tax.
One of the featured items is Amtrak service into Roanoke. Here is one local TV station's take on it. Roanoke Train ServicePosts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Progress is being made on the new station and platform in Roanoke with NEC-Roanoke service to start next year.
But, I didn't realize this additional service would result in the service from Lynchburg to NEC adding a train northbound in the afternoon, morning southbound. I assume the Roanoke train will be an extension of the current morning northbound train, afternoon southbound. Been a long time since the Southern route to Charlottesville has seen a morning train out of Washington. This is from the Lynchburg News and Advance.
posted
Mr. Palmland: Do you know if the plans to restore the old 1909 Roanoke station are still in the offing? I think it once was the only brick station building along the route. The plan was for a railroad museum after renovation. Also a "comfort station" for the Mill Mountain Greenway, whatever that is.
Richard
Posts: 1909 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Richard, that would be the Virginian RR station. After a fire in 2001, local preservation group restored it to 1909 appearance. Work was completed this July.
Definitely a good news story. While the Virginian had only local passenger trains, the nearby N&W station had quite a few name trains including the Powhattan Arrow, Pocahontas, and SRY-Lynchburg connecting trains Tennessean, Pelican, and Birmingham Special.
When passenger service ended, the station became the O. Winston Link Museum. It showcases his stunning railroad photography. Well worth a visit to Roanoke just to see it. The new Amtrak station is near it.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged |
Virginia continues to be a leader in the east for state sponsored passenger rail. I hope at some point they do a joint project with NC.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
We're on a road trip between family in Atlanta and northern NJ. Our path just happened to find us doing an overnight in Bristol, TN/VA. What a pleasant surprise.
State street (one side is in TN, the other in VA ) is full of restaurants, interesting shops, and several restored movie theaters (for plays, events). The old 7 story hotel is being restored one block away on a park and next to the country music museum. It was where the Carter family and Jimmie Rodgers made their first recordings in the early 20's. Downtown also has 3 micro breweries and a 24 hour bakery. One of the breweries is in the Art Deco old bus station.
The centerpiece of State street is the beautifully restored large train station at one end. It's mainly for events although a state representative for SW VA has his office there. His assistant says they hope to have trains from Roanoke by 2019. A few of the shop owners were excited about it too. A small but active NS yard is just north of the station. It appears it is still a crew change locations. But didn't see any J's waiting to swap power with SRY E's.
I-81 mileage to Roanoke is about 150. Major towns include Abington,Wytheville, Salem, Radford, and Blacksburg (VPI- but a few miles off the interstate). But rail times will be significantly longer than driving thanks to the mountainous terrain west of Roanoke.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by palmland: The centerpiece of State street is the beautifully restored large train station at one end. It's mainly for events although a state representative for SW VA has his office there. His assistant says they hope to have trains from Roanoke by 2019. A few of the shop owners were excited about it too. A small but active NS yard is just north of the station. It appears it is still a crew change locations. But didn't see any J's waiting to swap power with SRY E's.
I-81 mileage to Roanoke is about 150. Major towns include Abington,Wytheville, Salem, Radford, and Blacksburg (VPI- but a few miles off the interstate). But rail times will be significantly longer than driving thanks to the mountainous terrain west of Roanoke.
Several years ago service to Bristol was part of one of the Virginia passenger service studies. The conclusion was that the long run times and relatively low population made it infeasible with a very small ridership for the cost.
Posts: 2808 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
This article is a pretty fair assessment of the status of possible rail service. It's also a good photo of the station. This older article indicates service is still a long way off.
For a viable service it really does need to be extended to at least Knoxville. In the meantime the next step should be, like Roanoke service, a thruway bus connection to test the market.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Bristol - Knoxville: 110 miles via I-81 & I-40 versus 130 miles via Souuthern Railway.
Best time via Southern, 3 hours even. Nominal speed limit in the early 60's 80 mph,but with the curves, I think a few miles a 60 mph was about as fast as any part actually was, and much was at 50 down to 40 mph. Since the Interstates are 70 mph throughout, 1 hour 40 minutes drive time, easy.
I was a fairly frequent rider on the Tennessean Memphis to Knoxville in the mid-1960's, but reality is that there is no market for this train today at the run time required.
Posts: 2808 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Roanoke service is now available for booking effective Oct. 31. $72 will get you a round trip to Washington (or beyond). Depart Roanoke 6:19 am, arrived WAS 11:20am. Return departs at 4:50pm and arrives Roanoke at 9;55pm.
It's probably no coincidence that VA DOT and Moorman were involved in getting this and Norfolk service up and running in relatively short time compared to many other routes that have endless studies and no action.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'm not sure, Richard. But I assume so too since it's a new station that must meet ADA requirements. I'm sure there will be plenty of photos next week for the inaugural run.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Trains' Newswire posted the arrival of the new Virginia governor for his inaugural ball at the Main St. station in Richmond - by NS Executive train: NS train for Governor
Well done NS. This has to be encouraging for fans of VA supported train service. CSX nowhere to be seen. The Richmond-Times Dispatch posted this on their Facebook page, if you want to go to the source.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
