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On a recent train oriented excursion (by auto), I had a few Amtrak encounters.
Both the Crescent and Lynchburg regional train appeared to be alive and well on their stop in Charlottesville. That University city is very walkable with a thriving downtown and, a short walk in the other direction, the University. Both trains were on time (southbound) and eguipment appeared to be in decent shape. I was particularly interested in the Lynchburg train. On a mid week afternoon about 50 passengers got off in Charlottesville. The conductor reported the normal load continuing on to Lynchburg was about 100-150. Quite a success story. Later in our excursion we stopped at the O. Winston Link museum in Roanoke. It is located in the former N&W station across the street from the very nice Hotel Roanoke (also formerly owned by the N&W). It's a very good museum displaying Link's fabulous night photography of trains and people in Virginia along the railroad. An exhibit on the depression is also currently on display.
Roanoke has done a nice job of providing walkways over the tracks to the hotel and also to the interesting Virginia Museum of Transportation. As most of you know, Virginia is now sponsoring a bus connection to the Lynchburg train from Roanoke, but I predict it will soon be replaced by a train. It's a short 60 miles or so. The former station would be an ideal spot for a new Amtrak station - perhaps use a small room apparently unused on the ground floor of the Link museum. Trackside, a platform with lights is still in place, perhaps for the NS Office Car train.
A bit further north, Cumberland, MD has also had a downtown renaissance. Part of Baltimore street is also a pedestrian mall with shops and resturants (and a well attended Friday concert). Within walking distance of this is a Holiday Inn (next to the ex B&O main line and Amtrak station) and a new Marriott Fairfield Inn.
We saw the Capitol make it's stop in the evening. Inexplicably it made a double stop. While the platform was long enough for the entire train, apparently the first stop was to change engineers. Looking at the crews/OBS it's hard to see any sense of urgency or discipline in tending to business. What should be a five minute stop took 20 (sorry smokers).
The Fairfield hotel is next to the former Western Maryland RR station that has been extremely well restored (including offices for state representatives). The main attraction for me is the Western Maryland Scenic Railway.
It uses a great looking steam locomotive for Thurs-Sun (but diesel on Thurs.) excursions up the mountains to the town of Frostburg. An hour and half stop there allows passengers to visit the shops/resturants. It's a very scenic trip. According to their GM, that I knew in a former life, they average about 200 passengers per trip during the summer and close to 600 during the fall foliage season. All cars are air conditioned but you are welcome to hang out the vestibule or snack car with open side door. A caboose is also available for rent. On some weekend nights they operate a dinner/mystery train with the play taking part on the train and in Frostburg.
Glad to seem some of our small towns doing well.
notelvis Member # 3071
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Interesting report Palmland...... sorry I missed it earlier.
I'll have a chance to see the Link Museum in Roanoke for the first time in October and I am already looking forward to it.
palmland Member # 4344
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Enjoy your trip, David. Roanoke and the Hotel Roanoke are enough of a destination of general interest I'll bet your family would also enjoy - especially if via the Blue Ridge parkway.
notelvis Member # 3071
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I'll be arriving in Roanoke by train!
An excursion October 29th from the NC Transportation Museum in Spencer. I ponied up for another mainline ride in a vintage dome car. With the three hours we will have before the return trip leaves Roanoke I intend to visit the Link museum.
palmland Member # 4344
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Courtesy of another web site, here is an interesting recent video from the Roanoke TV station about extension of the Lynchburg train to Roanoke. But, not even that successful train could support $140 million supposedly needed for improvements, unless VA DOT has some sort of leverage for a quid pro quo deal.
amtrak92 Member # 14343
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I hope one day they can connect to Roanoke again. It would be such a great thing. But I doubt it will happen
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