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VRE: "The Plan" for major snow storm


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#1 CNJRoss

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Posted 04 February 2010 - 08:07 PM

Train Talk, February 4, 2010 6:16 PM


This message is for all VRE riders:


In this edition:

1) VRE's Plan

2) Other Connecting Agencies' Plans


1) VRE's Plan


There are more reports of snow snow snow! So what is VRE doing? Well, we have been coordinating with Amtrak, Norfolk Southern, and CSX to determine what the best course of action is. At this time, we plan to operate our full schedule.

If we run full service in the morning, we plan to operate our normal full service in the afternoon. We will not add other trains should the Federal Goverment close early in the day. However, we will put our largest sets where we think they are needed the most. Crowding on the first few trains may occur.

Should there be changes to this schedule, we will notify you by 4:30am. We will post the information on the VRE website, the toll free information hotline (1-800-RIDE-VRE), and will send an e-mail to Train Talk subscribers.

Additionally, we will notify the press. We contact the following stations WMAL (630 AM), WFLS (93.3 FM/1350 AM), WTOP (1500 AM/ 107.7 FM), WBQB (101.5 FM), or watch TV channels 4, 5, 7, 8 or 9.

2) Other Agencies' Plans

DISCLAIMER
- This is the information that we know of at this time. Each agency may change their operating plans without notification to VRE, so please plan on double checking their websites before you leave your home or your office.

FRED - will not operate Feeder Service in the morning or afternoon to the Fredericksburg station. Their website is http://www.ridefred.com

Fairfax Connector - will operate as long as they can operate safely. They will try to give riders 2 hours notice of the time they plan to shut down. Please keep an eye on their website: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connector

OmniRide - will operate on their Emergency Snow Plan starting at noon. Visit their website for details at http://www.PRTCtransit.org.

#2 KevinKorell

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Posted 05 February 2010 - 08:26 AM

VRE running a full schedule!

The government has been given a four hour early dismissal so we will be running our biggest trains for mid-day service (leaving Union Station at 12:55pm and 1:15pm).

Amtrak has cancelled trains 95, 83, 85 and 171, so please be aware that Amtrak trains will not be available to ride this evening.

Again, we are running full service with our 8 car sets on the early afternoon trains. We are not logistically able to add more cars to these sets so we expect these trains to be crowded. If you want to avoid the crowds, you may wish to wait for one of the later trains after the mid-day trains.

For the latest information, don't forget to check out the VRE web site at: http://www.vre.org. If you would like to unsubscribe yourself or change your delivery information, simply go to the VRE website at http://traintalk.vre.org/vre.



Kevin Korell


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Lakewood, NJ


#3 The Dutchman

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Posted 05 February 2010 - 01:22 PM

Folks, you are about to see why "rail" is the superior technology for moving large numbers of people - far better than the auto or the bus. DC is going to get whacked with about 24 inches of snow. That part of the world shuts down with two inches. You can expect DC to be in paralysis mode for several days. The only thing running will be the trains. I have to laugh at the folly of the commuter automobile.

#4 KevinKorell

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Posted 05 February 2010 - 02:38 PM

Folks, you are about to see why "rail" is the superior technology for moving large numbers of people - far better than the auto or the bus. DC is going to get whacked with about 24 inches of snow. That part of the world shuts down with two inches. You can expect DC to be in paralysis mode for several days. The only thing running will be the trains.

I have to laugh at the folly of the commuter automobile.

Yes, but....

* Anything over 8 inches, Washington Metro limits their operations to subway portions only.
* Amtrak well in advance cancelled all of its Northeast Regional, Palmetto, & Carolinian service south of DC (though the LD's will continue to plod through for now, and the Carolinian is running just Charlotte-Raleigh)

So even the so-called all weather mode isn't 100% weather-proof.


Kevin Korell


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#5 KevinKorell

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Posted 07 February 2010 - 07:13 PM

VRE Will Not Operate Service on Monday, February 8



As a result of power outages and concerns about treacherous road conditions leading to our stations, VRE will not operate service on Monday, February 8, 2010.

At this time of year, many of our trains operate during darker hours. While we have had some melting today, the combination of power outages and icy road conditions could create unsafe conditions for our riders. In addition, the lack of power and icy conditions could affect the railroad switches, causing lengthy delays, possibly stranding trains.

VRE will continue to monitor the power and road conditions over the next 24 hours. We make a decision about Tuesday's service no later than 6:00pm Monday evening.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

According to Amtrak's website, they have cancelled the following trains in our service area for Monday, February 8:

Trains 95, 93, 85, 67 will not operate south of Washington.
Trains 171 and 176 are cancelled between Washington and Lynchburg, VA
Trains 84 and 86 are cancelled between Washington and Richmond
Trains 66 and 94 are cancelled between Newport News and Washington
Trains 79 and 80 are also cancelled in the VRE service area

Please visit Amtrak's website at http://www.amtrak.com/ to keep updated on their service changes.



Kevin Korell


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Lakewood, NJ


#6 CNJRoss

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Posted 08 February 2010 - 07:42 PM

Train Talk, February 8, 2010 6:26 PM

This message is for all VRE riders:

No Decision Made on Tuesday's Service

We are still assessing the state of the railroad at this time. A decision on service will be made as soon as we have some definitive answers on a variety of issues. We will follow our snow policy and announce our decision no later than 4:30am. However, we hope to have our assessment done sooner.

Please stay tuned to Train Talk, our website, our Facebook Page or our 800-RIDE-VRE number. We will also alert the media once we have full details.

Comment - this was released BEFORE the Federal Government announced closure for tomorrow.

#7 CNJRoss

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Posted 08 February 2010 - 07:43 PM

Train Talk, February 8, 2010 7:29 PM

This message is for all VRE riders:

VRE Will Not Operate on Tuesday, February 9

In light of the Federal Government's decision to close, VRE will not operate on Tuesday, February 9. In addition, Amtrak has not publicly announced its operating plans for tomorrow. However, we suspect that many of the Amtrak trains that serve the VRE area will be cancelled. We suggest that you check their website at www.amtrak.com.

We will continue to keep you posted on service for the rest of the week as tomorrow's storm progresses.

#8 CNJRoss

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Posted 09 February 2010 - 08:07 PM

Train Talk, February 9, 2010 7:07 PM

This message is for all VRE riders:

VRE Will Not Operate Wednesday, February 10

Due to the high snowfall expected with tonight's storm and the closure of the Federal Government tomorrow, VRE will not operate service on Wednesday, February 10.

As usual, we will continue to monitor the weather and keep you posted on service for the rest of the week later tomorrow.

#9 CNJRoss

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Posted 10 February 2010 - 08:30 PM

Train Talk, February 10, 2010 7:16 PM

This message is for all VRE riders:

VRE Will Not Operate Service on Thursday, February 11

VRE is once again not operating service tomorrow, February 11. This is due to the closure of the Federal Government and the treacherous conditions that are being reported on the local roads and streets.

We will, of course, update you this time tomorrow on our plans for Friday. Please keep in mind, that due to the Federal holiday, we will definitely not be operating on Monday, February 15.

#10 CNJRoss

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Posted 11 February 2010 - 11:18 PM

Train Talk, February 11, 2010 7:30 PM

This message is for all Fredericksburg Line riders:

VRE to Operate "S" Schedule on Friday, February 12

This is a long, detailed message. Please read in its entirety so you know what to expect tomorrow.


VRE will operate its "S" schedule. Only those trains marked with an "S" on your schedule will run. On the Fredericksburg Line, this means that service is limited to trains 302, 306, 308, and 310 in the morning and 301, 303, 307, and 311 in the evening.

Train Equipment:

Due to equipment storage problems in our D.C. layover yard, we will operate the 8-car train on 302 and 307, operate our 6-car train on 306, 308, 301, 303 and a 4-car train on 310 and 311 tomorrow. Some crowding may occur as a result.

Platforms:

All platforms have been fully cleared. However, melting snows have dumped some snow onto the platforms from the canopy roofs. As a result, some icy patches may exist on the platforms. All stations have power.

Elevators:

The elevators at Woodbridge, Rippon, and the station side at Franconia/Springfield are out of service.

Franconia/Springfield:

Access to and from the station may be difficult depending on what happens with Metro. Our crews have had to walk in from the back side to clear the platforms as the Metro side has been out of service and locked to the general public. We will work with WMATA to see if the Metro side can be opened for VRE foot traffic and will update you on these efforts.

Parking Lots:

This is always the most difficult part of responding to storms of this magnitude.

Fredericksburg - Lot G is plowed, but has lost about 40 spaces. The smaller lots have been cleared, but have also lost a few spaces due to snow.

Leeland Road - This lot is reported to look great with 100% space availability.

Brooke - We are working with VDOT to rework this lot. About 75 spaces have been lost and only the drive lanes (not parking spaces) have been fully cleared.

Quantico - The parking lot will be replowed tonight, but there will be about 20-30 spaces lost due to snow.

Rippon - The upper lot is fully cleared. We are working with VDOT on the main lot. Only the drive lanes were cleared. About 50 spaces have been lost due to snow.

Woodbridge - There is no top deck parking in the garage. The garage has some perimeter areas that accumulated some snow. The surface lot is being replowed.

Lorton - We are still working with Fairfax County to improve conditions at this lot. There were quite a few cars that were left in the lot through the storms, which made plowing difficult.

As always, please use caution. Allow yourself plenty of time to get to the parking lots and to the stations. Wear appropriate footwear and use handrails wherever provided.




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