Virginia Railway Express
Encyclopedia
The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) is a regional
/ commuter rail service that connects the Northern Virginia
suburbs to Union Station in Washington, D.C.
, via two lines: the Fredericksburg Line from Fredericksburg, Virginia
, and the Manassas
Line from Broad Run/Airport
station in Bristow, Virginia
.
Service to Manassas began on June 22, 1992, the Fredericksburg service on July 20, 1992.
VRE is owned by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission
and the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission
. The NVTC and PRTC are governmental entities that were created by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Local governments (e.g. counties, cities) within each commission's geographic area are members of each commission.
. Discussions about the potential of commuter rail service in Northern Virginia had occurred as early as 1964 at the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission
. Earlier efforts faltered due to opposition from the freight railroads whose tracks offered ready access to core employment areas.
By 1986, it became apparent that the jurisdictions outside of NVTC could not reach agreement on how to support VRE by joining NVTC so the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission
was created for Prince William and Stafford
counties and the city of Manassas. Legislation established a 2% motor fuels tax to support VRE expenses and other transportation investments.
By 1988, NVTC and PRTC established a VRE Operations Board, consisting of three voting members plus alternates from each of the two commissions, plus a voting representative of the Commonwealth of Virginia (currently a representative of the Director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
).
In 1989, NVTC and PRTC executed a Master Agreement with the jurisdictions participating in the VRE project. The participating jurisdictions agreed to pay for VRE through a formula that weighted ridership by jurisdiction of residence with a factor of 90% and population with a factor of 10%. Arlington and Alexandria agreed to contribute to the project and have paid each year approximately what their formula share would be. The cities of Fredericksburg and Manassas Park joined PRTC in 1990 and signed the VRE Master Agreement and became VRE participating jurisdictions in 1992. Spotsylvania County joined in February 2010.
Through a cross-honoring agreement, VRE and the MARC Train
allow passengers to transfer to a train on the other system provided that it is going in the opposite direction of the rush-hour commuters.
VRE operates on lines owned and maintained by Amtrak
, Norfolk Southern and CSX Transportation
. Most of the Fredericksburg Line is on CSX tracks, while the portion of the Manassas Line west of Alexandria is mostly on Norfolk Southern tracks. Union Station in Washington, DC, which is the northern terminus for most VRE trains, is owned and operated by Amtrak, including the station tracks.
On November 5, 2009, VRE voted to award the operating contract to Keolis
, a French based company, replacing Amtrak, which had previously operated the trains since the start of service in 1992. The change in operations took place on July 12, 2010, after a two week extension in preparation time was granted to Keolis, as its employees were still undergoing processes to become qualified to run trains on the VRE.
Ridership on VRE increased an average of 13% each year from 2000 to 2005, but, in the fiscal year to June 30, 2005, ridership fell 2% compared to the prior year. VRE said the decrease was because passengers affected by delays due to track maintenance and heat restrictions were taking other forms of transportation. The trend reversed the summer of 2007, with ridership up nearly 2% in June and 4% in July compared with the corresponding months in 2006. As of July 2010, VRE transports an average of 17,600 passengers per day.
VRE operated a pair of EMD F59PHI locomotives and 18 high capacity bi-level cars on lease from Sound Transit
in 2006; they have since been returned.
(* with restroom)
and points south also uses this line. A future VRE station on the Fredricksburg Line for Spotsylvania is planned for as early as 2012.
to Atlanta
and New Orleans, the Cardinal to Chicago
, and the Northeast Regional to Lynchburg
, also use this line. According to the official VRE web site, VRE is studying an extension of the Manassas Line west to the communities of Gainesville and Haymarket.
On January 5, 2006, at 6:45 a.m., Fredericksburg line train #304 bound for Washington, D.C. derailed at Possum Point
, just north of the Quantico
section of Prince William County
. Four people, including the assistant conductor, suffered minor injuries and were treated and released by medical personnel.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the probable cause of the derailment was an excessively worn and chipped switch point, which caused the lead truck of the fourth passenger car to derail. Contributing to the accident was CSX’s delay in replacing a switch point that had been repeatedly identified as deteriorating.
Regional rail
Commuter rail, also called suburban rail, is a passenger rail transport service that primarily operates between a city center, and the middle to outer suburbs beyond 15km and commuter towns or other locations that draw large numbers of commuters—people who travel on a daily basis...
/ commuter rail service that connects the Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia consists of several counties and independent cities in the Commonwealth of Virginia, in a widespread region generally radiating southerly and westward from Washington, D.C...
suburbs to Union Station in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, via two lines: the Fredericksburg Line from Fredericksburg, Virginia
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Fredericksburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia located south of Washington, D.C., and north of Richmond. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 24,286...
, and the Manassas
Manassas, Virginia
The City of Manassas is an independent city surrounded by Prince William County and the independent city of Manassas Park in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Its population was 37,821 as of 2010. Manassas also surrounds the county seat for Prince William County but that county...
Line from Broad Run/Airport
Broad Run/Airport (VRE station)
The Broad Run/Airport Virginia Railway Express station is located at 10637 Piper Lane in the Bristow section of unincorporated Prince William County, Virginia, United States, adjacent to Manassas Regional Airport. It is the last station on VRE's Manassas Line, and has parking for 885 cars. The...
station in Bristow, Virginia
Bristow, Virginia
Bristow is an unincorporated town in Prince William County, Virginia, United States. The population was 8,910 in the 2000 census, and the 2009 estimate was 15,137....
.
Service to Manassas began on June 22, 1992, the Fredericksburg service on July 20, 1992.
VRE is owned by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission
Northern Virginia Transportation Commission
The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission is an independent agency in the Commonwealth of Virginia to promote and improve transportation. It covers the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and the Cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax. NVTC manages the Northern Virginia...
and the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission
Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission
Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission is the public transportation system in Prince William County, Virginia, plus two adjacent independent cities, Manassas and Manassas Park, that together are surrounded by the county. Services provided by PRTC include OmniRide, OmniLink, and...
. The NVTC and PRTC are governmental entities that were created by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Local governments (e.g. counties, cities) within each commission's geographic area are members of each commission.
History
Planning began in earnest for VRE in 1984 following a regional feasibility study by R.L. Banks and Associates, Inc., for the Metropolitan Washington Council of GovernmentsMetropolitan Washington Council of Governments
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments is a regional organization of Washington area local governments. MWCOG comprises 21 local governments in the Washington Metropolitan Area, as well as area members of the Maryland and Virginia state legislatures, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House...
. Discussions about the potential of commuter rail service in Northern Virginia had occurred as early as 1964 at the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission
Northern Virginia Transportation Commission
The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission is an independent agency in the Commonwealth of Virginia to promote and improve transportation. It covers the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and the Cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax. NVTC manages the Northern Virginia...
. Earlier efforts faltered due to opposition from the freight railroads whose tracks offered ready access to core employment areas.
By 1986, it became apparent that the jurisdictions outside of NVTC could not reach agreement on how to support VRE by joining NVTC so the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission
Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission
Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission is the public transportation system in Prince William County, Virginia, plus two adjacent independent cities, Manassas and Manassas Park, that together are surrounded by the county. Services provided by PRTC include OmniRide, OmniLink, and...
was created for Prince William and Stafford
Stafford County, Virginia
Stafford County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a U.S. state, and just across the Rappahannock River from the City of Fredericksburg. As of the 2000 census, the population was 92,446, increasing to 128,961 in 2010.. Its county seat is Stafford. In 2006, and again in 2009,...
counties and the city of Manassas. Legislation established a 2% motor fuels tax to support VRE expenses and other transportation investments.
By 1988, NVTC and PRTC established a VRE Operations Board, consisting of three voting members plus alternates from each of the two commissions, plus a voting representative of the Commonwealth of Virginia (currently a representative of the Director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation is an agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States.According to its web site, the state agency's mission is "to improve the mobility of people and goods while expanding transportation choices in the Commonwealth."The three...
).
In 1989, NVTC and PRTC executed a Master Agreement with the jurisdictions participating in the VRE project. The participating jurisdictions agreed to pay for VRE through a formula that weighted ridership by jurisdiction of residence with a factor of 90% and population with a factor of 10%. Arlington and Alexandria agreed to contribute to the project and have paid each year approximately what their formula share would be. The cities of Fredericksburg and Manassas Park joined PRTC in 1990 and signed the VRE Master Agreement and became VRE participating jurisdictions in 1992. Spotsylvania County joined in February 2010.
Operations
Rail service operates Monday through Friday only and is suspended or reduced on select holidays.Through a cross-honoring agreement, VRE and the MARC Train
MARC Train
MARC , known prior to 1984 as Maryland Rail Commuter Service, is a regional rail system comprising three lines in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. MARC is administered by the Maryland Transit Administration , a Maryland Department of Transportation agency, and is operated under contract...
allow passengers to transfer to a train on the other system provided that it is going in the opposite direction of the rush-hour commuters.
VRE operates on lines owned and maintained by Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
, Norfolk Southern and CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles...
. Most of the Fredericksburg Line is on CSX tracks, while the portion of the Manassas Line west of Alexandria is mostly on Norfolk Southern tracks. Union Station in Washington, DC, which is the northern terminus for most VRE trains, is owned and operated by Amtrak, including the station tracks.
On November 5, 2009, VRE voted to award the operating contract to Keolis
Keolis
Keolis is the largest private sector French transport group. It runs passenger railways, tramways, bus networks, funiculars, trolley buses, and airport services. The company, based in Paris, is majority owned by SNCF, the French state rail operator. AXA Private Equity and Caisse de dépôt et...
, a French based company, replacing Amtrak, which had previously operated the trains since the start of service in 1992. The change in operations took place on July 12, 2010, after a two week extension in preparation time was granted to Keolis, as its employees were still undergoing processes to become qualified to run trains on the VRE.
Ridership on VRE increased an average of 13% each year from 2000 to 2005, but, in the fiscal year to June 30, 2005, ridership fell 2% compared to the prior year. VRE said the decrease was because passengers affected by delays due to track maintenance and heat restrictions were taking other forms of transportation. The trend reversed the summer of 2007, with ridership up nearly 2% in June and 4% in July compared with the corresponding months in 2006. As of July 2010, VRE transports an average of 17,600 passengers per day.
Locomotive fleet
| Model | Numbers | Notes | Image |
|---|---|---|---|
| EMD RP39-2C | V1-V10 | Rebuilt from original units by Morrison-Knudsen | |
| EMD RP40-2C | V20-V21 | Rebuilt by Morrison-Knudsen | |
| EMD GP40H-2 | V22-V24 | V22 and V23 rebuilt by Atelier Montreal Facilities, V24 acquired from North Carolina Department of Transportation North Carolina Department of Transportation The North Carolina Department of Transportation is responsible for building, repairing, and operating highways, bridges, and other modes of transportation, including ferries in the U.S. state of North Carolina.-History:... . |
|
| EMD F40PH-2 EMD F40PH -Amtrak NPCU Conversions:In later years, as Amtrak's F40PH fleet was being replaced by the newer GE Genesis-series locomotives, Amtrak converted a number of the retired units—generally ones with major mechanical problems limiting their value in the resale or lease marketplace—into "Non-Power... |
V34-V36 | All former Amtrak units (and ex-GO Transit GO Transit GO Transit is an inter-regional public transit system in Southern Ontario, Canada. It primarily serves the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area conurbation, with operations extending to several communities beyond the GTHA proper in the Greater Golden Horseshoe... units). VRE formerly operated one more, number V31, until lease expired. VRE F40PH-2 #V-30 sold to AMT Agence métropolitaine de transport The Agence métropolitaine de transport is the umbrella organization that plans, integrates, and coordinates public transportation services across Canada's Greater Montreal Region, including the Island of Montreal, Laval , and communities along both the North Shore of the Rivière des Mille-Îles... . Units V32 and V33 have also been sold and removed from the roster. |
|
| MPI MP36PH-3C | V50-V69 | Total order of 20. The first unit was delivered on August 5, 2010, and all units through V60 are currently in service. The rest will be delivered throughout 2011. These locomotives are the first new locomotives that VRE has ever purchased. |
VRE operated a pair of EMD F59PHI locomotives and 18 high capacity bi-level cars on lease from Sound Transit
Sound Transit
Sound Transit has been the popular name of Washington state's Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority since September 19, 1999. It was formed in 1996 by the Snohomish, King, and Pierce County Councils...
in 2006; they have since been returned.
Coach fleet
| Model | Builder | Years Built | Seats | Numbers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gallery I Trailer Car | Pullman Company Pullman Company The Pullman Palace Car Company, founded by George Pullman, manufactured railroad cars in the mid-to-late 19th century through the early decades of the 20th century, during the boom of railroads in the United States. Pullman developed the sleeping car which carried his name into the 1980s... |
1956 | 157 | 405, 408, 412-413, 415 |
| Gallery II Trailer Car | Pullman Company Pullman Company The Pullman Palace Car Company, founded by George Pullman, manufactured railroad cars in the mid-to-late 19th century through the early decades of the 20th century, during the boom of railroads in the United States. Pullman developed the sleeping car which carried his name into the 1980s... |
1956 | 157 | 421-430 |
| Gallery III Trailer Car | Pullman Company Pullman Company The Pullman Palace Car Company, founded by George Pullman, manufactured railroad cars in the mid-to-late 19th century through the early decades of the 20th century, during the boom of railroads in the United States. Pullman developed the sleeping car which carried his name into the 1980s... |
1960-68 | 157 | 431-440, 447, 449, 454-456 |
| Gallery IV Cab Car | Sumitomo | 2006-08 | 123 | 710-730* |
| Gallery IV Trailer Car | Sumitomo | 2007-09 | 132*, 144 | 800-819*, 850-869, 870-879 |
(* with restroom)
Lines and stations
There are a total of 18 stations on VRE's lines. The fare structure is distance-based, with stations grouped into zones.Fredericksburg Line
The Fredericksburg Line runs north–south along trackage owned by CSX, formerly the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad. Amtrak service to Richmond, VirginiaRichmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
and points south also uses this line. A future VRE station on the Fredricksburg Line for Spotsylvania is planned for as early as 2012.
| Station | Fare Zone | Miles | Connections |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union Station Union Station (Washington, D.C.) Washington Union Station is a train station and leisure destination visited by 32 million people each year in the center of Washington, D.C. The train station is served by Amtrak, MARC and Virginia Railway Express commuter rail services as well as by Washington Metro subway trains and local buses... |
1 | 0 | Washington Metro Washington Metro The Washington Metro, commonly called Metro, and unofficially Metrorail, is the rapid transit system in Washington, D.C., United States, and its surrounding suburbs. It is administered by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority , which also operates Metrobus service under the Metro name... Red Line Red Line (Washington Metro) The Red Line of the Washington Metro is a rail rapid transit service operating between 27 stations in Montgomery County, Maryland and the District of Columbia, United States. It is a primary line through downtown Washington, and the oldest and busiest line in the system... , MARC MARC Train MARC , known prior to 1984 as Maryland Rail Commuter Service, is a regional rail system comprising three lines in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. MARC is administered by the Maryland Transit Administration , a Maryland Department of Transportation agency, and is operated under contract... , Amtrak Amtrak The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union... |
| L'Enfant L'Enfant (VRE station) L'Enfant is a commuter rail station located between 6th and 7th streets in downtown Washington, D.C.. It is served by the Fredericksburg Line and Manassas Line on the Virginia Railway Express. Numerous Amtrak trains pass through this station on the express tracks without stopping... |
1 | 2 | Washington Metro Washington Metro The Washington Metro, commonly called Metro, and unofficially Metrorail, is the rapid transit system in Washington, D.C., United States, and its surrounding suburbs. It is administered by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority , which also operates Metrobus service under the Metro name... Green Green Line (Washington Metro) The Green Line is one of five heavy rail subway lines that constitute the Washington Metro rapid transit system in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. The Green Line consists of 21 stations, with termini at Branch Avenue and at Greenbelt. The Green Line runs through Prince George's County,... , Orange Orange Line (Washington Metro) The Orange Line of the Washington Metro consists of 26 rapid transit stations from Vienna to New Carrollton. It has stations in Fairfax County and Arlington, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Prince George's County, Maryland. Half of the line's stations are shared with the Blue Line, and over... , Blue Blue Line (Washington Metro) The Blue Line of the Washington Metro in the United States consists of 27 rapid transit stations from Franconia–Springfield to Largo Town Center. It has stations in Fairfax County, Alexandria and Arlington, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Prince George's County, Maryland... and Yellow Lines Yellow Line (Washington Metro) The Yellow Line of the Washington Metro consists of 17 rapid transit stations from Huntington to Fort Totten. The line terminates at the Mount Vernon Square station during peak hours.Peak hours are 5 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Service is extended to the Green Line stations during... |
| Crystal City Crystal City (VRE station) Crystal City is a commuter rail station in Crystal City located near the George Washington Memorial Parkway and Ronald Reagan National Airport. It is served by the Fredericksburg Line and Manassas Line on the Virginia Railway Express... |
2 | 5 | Washington Metro Washington Metro The Washington Metro, commonly called Metro, and unofficially Metrorail, is the rapid transit system in Washington, D.C., United States, and its surrounding suburbs. It is administered by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority , which also operates Metrobus service under the Metro name... Blue Blue Line (Washington Metro) The Blue Line of the Washington Metro in the United States consists of 27 rapid transit stations from Franconia–Springfield to Largo Town Center. It has stations in Fairfax County, Alexandria and Arlington, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Prince George's County, Maryland... and Yellow Lines Yellow Line (Washington Metro) The Yellow Line of the Washington Metro consists of 17 rapid transit stations from Huntington to Fort Totten. The line terminates at the Mount Vernon Square station during peak hours.Peak hours are 5 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Service is extended to the Green Line stations during... |
| Alexandria Union Station Union Station (Alexandria) Alexandria Union Station is a historic train station in Alexandria, Virginia south of Washington, D.C. To avoid confusion with nearby Washington Union Station it is usually referred to locally as simply Alexandria Station. Its Amtrak code is ALX.... |
2 | 9 | Washington Metro Washington Metro The Washington Metro, commonly called Metro, and unofficially Metrorail, is the rapid transit system in Washington, D.C., United States, and its surrounding suburbs. It is administered by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority , which also operates Metrobus service under the Metro name... Blue Blue Line (Washington Metro) The Blue Line of the Washington Metro in the United States consists of 27 rapid transit stations from Franconia–Springfield to Largo Town Center. It has stations in Fairfax County, Alexandria and Arlington, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Prince George's County, Maryland... and Yellow Lines Yellow Line (Washington Metro) The Yellow Line of the Washington Metro consists of 17 rapid transit stations from Huntington to Fort Totten. The line terminates at the Mount Vernon Square station during peak hours.Peak hours are 5 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Service is extended to the Green Line stations during... at King Street – Old Town, Amtrak Amtrak The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union... |
| Franconia-Springfield | 3 | 14 | Washington Metro Washington Metro The Washington Metro, commonly called Metro, and unofficially Metrorail, is the rapid transit system in Washington, D.C., United States, and its surrounding suburbs. It is administered by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority , which also operates Metrobus service under the Metro name... Blue Line Blue Line (Washington Metro) The Blue Line of the Washington Metro in the United States consists of 27 rapid transit stations from Franconia–Springfield to Largo Town Center. It has stations in Fairfax County, Alexandria and Arlington, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Prince George's County, Maryland... |
| Lorton Lorton (rail station) Lorton Station is a railroad station located at 8990 Lorton Station Boulevard in Lorton, Virginia. It is currently serviced by the VRE Fredericksburg Line. This station is one mile north from the Amtrak Auto Train Lorton Station... |
4 | 19 | |
| Woodbridge Woodbridge (Amtrak station) The Woodbridge Station is located at 1040 Express Way in Woodbridge, Virginia. It serves the Amtrak Northeast Regional and the Virginia Railway Express Fredericksburg Line, and is one of two stations in Woodbridge to do so... |
5 | 24 | Amtrak Amtrak The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union... |
| Rippon Rippon (VRE station) The Rippon is a Virginia Railway Express station located at 15511 Farm Creek Drive in Woodbridge, Virginia. The station, one of two VRE stations in Woodbridge, is located at a southerly dead end, and is named for the closest and last intersection with Farm Creek Drive... |
5 | 28 | |
| Quantico Quantico (Amtrak station) The Quantico is located at 550 Railroad Avenue at Potomac Avenue in Quantico, Virginia. It also serves the Virginia Railway Express Fredericksburg Line. Quantico Station was originally built by the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad in 1953... |
6 | 35 | Amtrak Amtrak The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union... |
| Brooke Brooke (VRE station) The Brooke VRE station is a Virginia Railway Express station located at 1721 Brooke Road in Stafford, Virginia. Free parking is available and located on a hill leading from the road... |
8 | 46 | |
| Leeland Leeland (VRE station) Leeland is a Virginia Railway Express station located at 275 Leeland Road in Falmouth, Virginia. The station serves the Fredericksburg Line and shares the right-of-way with Amtrak's Northeast Regional, Silver Meteor, Silver Star, Palmetto, Auto Train, Carolinian and Piedmont trains... |
8 | 51 | |
| Fredericksburg Fredericksburg (Amtrak station) The Fredericksburg Amtrak station is located at 200 Lafayette Boulevard in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It is also the terminus of the Virginia Railway Express Fredericksburg Line. was also recently added by the city for the same purpose... |
9 | 55 | Amtrak Amtrak The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union... |
Manassas Line
The Manassas Line runs east–west along trackage owned by Norfolk Southern. Three Amtrak trains, the CrescentCrescent (Amtrak)
The Crescent is a passenger train operated by Amtrak in the eastern part of the United States. It runs daily from Pennsylvania Station in New York City to New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal in New Orleans, Louisiana as train 19 and returns, on the same route, as train 20. Most of the route of...
to Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
and New Orleans, the Cardinal to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, and the Northeast Regional to Lynchburg
Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 75,568 as of 2010. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the banks of the James River, Lynchburg is known as the "City of Seven Hills" or "The Hill City." Lynchburg was the only major city in...
, also use this line. According to the official VRE web site, VRE is studying an extension of the Manassas Line west to the communities of Gainesville and Haymarket.
| Station | Fare Zone | Miles | Connections |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union Station Union Station (Washington, D.C.) Washington Union Station is a train station and leisure destination visited by 32 million people each year in the center of Washington, D.C. The train station is served by Amtrak, MARC and Virginia Railway Express commuter rail services as well as by Washington Metro subway trains and local buses... |
1 | 0 | Washington Metro Washington Metro The Washington Metro, commonly called Metro, and unofficially Metrorail, is the rapid transit system in Washington, D.C., United States, and its surrounding suburbs. It is administered by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority , which also operates Metrobus service under the Metro name... Red Line Red Line (Washington Metro) The Red Line of the Washington Metro is a rail rapid transit service operating between 27 stations in Montgomery County, Maryland and the District of Columbia, United States. It is a primary line through downtown Washington, and the oldest and busiest line in the system... , MARC MARC Train MARC , known prior to 1984 as Maryland Rail Commuter Service, is a regional rail system comprising three lines in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. MARC is administered by the Maryland Transit Administration , a Maryland Department of Transportation agency, and is operated under contract... , Amtrak Amtrak The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union... |
| L'Enfant L'Enfant (VRE station) L'Enfant is a commuter rail station located between 6th and 7th streets in downtown Washington, D.C.. It is served by the Fredericksburg Line and Manassas Line on the Virginia Railway Express. Numerous Amtrak trains pass through this station on the express tracks without stopping... |
1 | 2 | Washington Metro Washington Metro The Washington Metro, commonly called Metro, and unofficially Metrorail, is the rapid transit system in Washington, D.C., United States, and its surrounding suburbs. It is administered by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority , which also operates Metrobus service under the Metro name... Green Green Line (Washington Metro) The Green Line is one of five heavy rail subway lines that constitute the Washington Metro rapid transit system in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. The Green Line consists of 21 stations, with termini at Branch Avenue and at Greenbelt. The Green Line runs through Prince George's County,... , Orange Orange Line (Washington Metro) The Orange Line of the Washington Metro consists of 26 rapid transit stations from Vienna to New Carrollton. It has stations in Fairfax County and Arlington, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Prince George's County, Maryland. Half of the line's stations are shared with the Blue Line, and over... , Blue Blue Line (Washington Metro) The Blue Line of the Washington Metro in the United States consists of 27 rapid transit stations from Franconia–Springfield to Largo Town Center. It has stations in Fairfax County, Alexandria and Arlington, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Prince George's County, Maryland... and Yellow Lines Yellow Line (Washington Metro) The Yellow Line of the Washington Metro consists of 17 rapid transit stations from Huntington to Fort Totten. The line terminates at the Mount Vernon Square station during peak hours.Peak hours are 5 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Service is extended to the Green Line stations during... |
| Crystal City Crystal City (VRE station) Crystal City is a commuter rail station in Crystal City located near the George Washington Memorial Parkway and Ronald Reagan National Airport. It is served by the Fredericksburg Line and Manassas Line on the Virginia Railway Express... |
2 | 5 | Washington Metro Washington Metro The Washington Metro, commonly called Metro, and unofficially Metrorail, is the rapid transit system in Washington, D.C., United States, and its surrounding suburbs. It is administered by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority , which also operates Metrobus service under the Metro name... Blue Blue Line (Washington Metro) The Blue Line of the Washington Metro in the United States consists of 27 rapid transit stations from Franconia–Springfield to Largo Town Center. It has stations in Fairfax County, Alexandria and Arlington, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Prince George's County, Maryland... and Yellow Lines Yellow Line (Washington Metro) The Yellow Line of the Washington Metro consists of 17 rapid transit stations from Huntington to Fort Totten. The line terminates at the Mount Vernon Square station during peak hours.Peak hours are 5 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Service is extended to the Green Line stations during... |
| Alexandria Union Station Union Station (Alexandria) Alexandria Union Station is a historic train station in Alexandria, Virginia south of Washington, D.C. To avoid confusion with nearby Washington Union Station it is usually referred to locally as simply Alexandria Station. Its Amtrak code is ALX.... |
2 | 9 | Washington Metro Washington Metro The Washington Metro, commonly called Metro, and unofficially Metrorail, is the rapid transit system in Washington, D.C., United States, and its surrounding suburbs. It is administered by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority , which also operates Metrobus service under the Metro name... Blue Blue Line (Washington Metro) The Blue Line of the Washington Metro in the United States consists of 27 rapid transit stations from Franconia–Springfield to Largo Town Center. It has stations in Fairfax County, Alexandria and Arlington, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Prince George's County, Maryland... and Yellow Lines Yellow Line (Washington Metro) The Yellow Line of the Washington Metro consists of 17 rapid transit stations from Huntington to Fort Totten. The line terminates at the Mount Vernon Square station during peak hours.Peak hours are 5 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Service is extended to the Green Line stations during... at King Street – Old Town, Amtrak Amtrak The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union... |
| Backlick Road Backlick Road (VRE station) The Backlick Road is located at 6900 Hechinger Drive in Springfield, Virginia. The station serves the Virginia Railway Express Manassas Line, and shares the right-of-way with Amtrak's Cardinal and Crescent trains, however, no Amtrak trains stop here.-Bus connections:Metrobus:*Routes 18EFairfax... |
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| Rolling Road Rolling Road (VRE station) The Rolling Road is located at 9016 Burke Rd in Burke, Virginia. The station serves the Virginia Railway Express Manassas Line, and shares the right-of-way with Amtrak's Cardinal and Crescent trains, however, no Amtrak trains stop here.... |
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| Burke Centre | 4 | 21 | Amtrak Amtrak The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union... |
| Manassas Park Manassas Park (VRE station) The Manassas Park is located at 9300 Manassas Drive in Manassas Park, Virginia. The station serves the Virginia Railway Express Manassas Line, and shares the right-of-way with Amtrak's Cardinal and Crescent trains, however, no Amtrak trains stop here.-Bus connections:OmniRide Commuter*OmniLink... |
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| Manassas Manassas (Amtrak station) The Manassas is located at 9431 West Street in Manassas, Virginia. It was originally built by the Southern Railway in 1914 and today serves as the penultimate station along the Virginia Railway Express Manassas Line, as well as a stop on three Amtrak trains.-Station in pop culture:The cover of the... |
6 | 32 | Amtrak Amtrak The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union... |
| Broad Run Broad Run/Airport (VRE station) The Broad Run/Airport Virginia Railway Express station is located at 10637 Piper Lane in the Bristow section of unincorporated Prince William County, Virginia, United States, adjacent to Manassas Regional Airport. It is the last station on VRE's Manassas Line, and has parking for 885 cars. The... |
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Incidents
Possum Point
Possum Point is a small peninsula in Northern Virginia that juts out into Quantico Creek and separates it from the Potomac River. It lies in a suburban area of Washington D.C.Dominion Virginia Power operates a power plant on the point...
, just north of the Quantico
Quantico, Virginia
- Demographics :As of the census of 2000, there are 561 people, 295 households, and 107 families living in the town. The population density is . There are 359 housing units at an average density of .-Racial composition:...
section of Prince William County
Prince William County, Virginia
-National protected areas:* Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge* Manassas National Battlefield Park* Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge* Prince William Forest Park-Government and politics:...
. Four people, including the assistant conductor, suffered minor injuries and were treated and released by medical personnel.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the probable cause of the derailment was an excessively worn and chipped switch point, which caused the lead truck of the fourth passenger car to derail. Contributing to the accident was CSX’s delay in replacing a switch point that had been repeatedly identified as deteriorating.