VRE Train Talk Alert, 5/24/24
VRE NEWS
VIRGINIA RAILWAY EXPRESS (VRE)
The VRE Summer Schedule Begins Tuesday, May 28.
As Heat Restrictions are issued on most summer days on the Fredericksburg line, it only makes sense to just plan for them on our southbound trains. Delays occur throughout the trip, but the effects on arrival times do not generally impact the schedule until the stations farther south, though our train crews do everything possible to safely make up for time en route. It really isn’t until Quantico that riders typically notice the few extra minutes added to their trip.
Our seasonal schedule adds two minutes to the arrival time at Quantico. The long stretch between Quantico and Brooke at the slower speed impacts the schedule by seven minutes and the segment between Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania adds another two minutes. If you’ve been riding with us for awhile, you’ve come to expect the added time on warm days. However, incorporating the Heat Restrictions as a known factor help better set expectations for when you’ll set foot at your home station, which may be particularly helpful for those being picked up.
While the schedule is changing on paper for the summer, the good news is that stations from Brooke south are designated as “L” stations. This means on days when heat-related speed restrictions are not in effect or if the crews have been able to make up time during the trip, the trains may depart those stations as soon as their station work is complete. No need to wait until the scheduled departure time.
The seasonal schedule will be effective the first service day after Memorial Day through the last service day prior to Labor Day.
