Amtrak evaluates service upgrades in VA Options

[Sloan]

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/prda...ws.asp?id=14907

[Sloan]

http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-co...01-30-0098.html

How 'bout a Bristol train too?

Sloan

[EvergreenRailfan]

The Tidewater Region is one of Virginia's growing areas, but they only have the two trains to Newport News, although to get to Norfolk, wouldn't they need a new Bridge-Tunnel, and can trains even use them if they did build one for them?

Service to Bristol sounds good, say, can it run into Tennessee, perhaps as far as Memphis? Also, how good is ridership on the current Virginia trains, especially the Richmond services? Might be worth considering extension of the electrification of the Northeast Corridor, assuming CSX does not mind.

[KevinKorell]

The Tidewater Region is one of Virginia's growing areas, but they only have the two trains to Newport News, although to get to Norfolk, wouldn't they need a new Bridge-Tunnel, and can trains even use them if they did build one for them?

Service to Bristol sounds good, say, can it run into Tennessee, perhaps as far as Memphis? Also, how good is ridership on the current Virginia trains, especially the Richmond services? Might be worth considering extension of the electrification of the Northeast Corridor, assuming CSX does not mind.

There are ways of getting into Norfolk, without ever going over or under the water. Around it yes, for Norfolk is not an island but is part of the mainland. After all, isn't Norfolk still the first name of one of our Big Four railroads? The point being, you can get to Norfolk from the south by land, but it would be a very curcuitous routing for the bulk of passengers who would be coming from the north. It evokes memories of how Amtrak used to serve St. Petersburg, FL, by running around the northern end of Tampa Bay through Clearwater. So I can't see Amtrak opting for any more than what they have now: trains to Newport News, and bus shuttles across the Chesapeake Bay.

And BTW, there are two round trips to Newport News, but on Fridays, there are three round trips between Richmond and Newport News.... although one has to wonder how much ridership a once-a-week evening train (#78) that runs solely between Newport News and Richmond gets, and that is without any Thruway connection from Norfolk or Virginia Beach.

Bristol would be the focal point of the Trans Dominion Express which when conceived was supposed to have legs to both Richmond and Washington, DC (the latter running through VRE territory but most likely not stopping there). While TDX is Virginia's baby, it certainly could extend into Tennessee if that state wants to pony up for it. I doubt it would get clear across Tennessee to Memphis, or even Nashville. Knoxville might be a more realistic goal.

Electrification in Virginia? I don't think CSX's double stacks are going to fit under the wires, nor would their trains clear ADA-compliant high level station platforms. Washington-Charlotte(-Atlanta?) is a designated high speed corridor, but even with recent improvements (say the Quantico Bridge) it's going to take a lot more to see the reality of frequent electric corridor services through Virginia. South of Richmond there is a better shot, since HSR would use the abandoned "S" Line (former SAL) between there and Raleigh.

This post has been edited by KevinKorell: Jan 30 2008, 03:29 PM

[Sloan]

http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-now-nnam...0,2413196.story

[Skip Howard]

In order to reach Norfolk from the North (Richmond) the most direct route is the NS main from Petersburg. This line runs SW from Petersburg to Suffolk, VA (abt. 60 mi.) on mostly a tangent. From Suffolk to Norfolk the line runs easterly about 20 miles into Norfolk then turns north into downtown for about 5 miles.

A connection at Petersburg to the the CSX "A" line would need to built.

Further, capacity and track condition must be addressed and passenger facilities would have to be constructed.

This information comes from SPV Atlas for Piedmont and Appalachia.

[Glenn Woodle]

The Tidewater Region is one of Virginia's growing areas, but they only have the two trains to Newport News, although to get to Norfolk, wouldn't they need a new Bridge-Tunnel, and can trains even use them if they did build one for them?

Service to Bristol sounds good, say, can it run into Tennessee, perhaps as far as Memphis? Also, how good is ridership on the current Virginia trains, especially the Richmond services? Might be worth considering extension of the electrification of the Northeast Corridor, assuming CSX does not mind.

Service to Bristol TN/VA indeed sounds good. TDOT would have to extend that service to Knoxville & Chattanooga. Part of the old Tennessee Central that connected Nashville to Harriman or Knoxville is out of service & abandoned. It would take huge $$ to build a new railway.

There is some effort to do a high speed line from Nashville to Chattanooga to Atlanta. The CSX lines are clogged with freight traffic.

TDOT has done some studies to improve the I-40 & I-81 corridor to get some trucks off the interstates. There is a lot of work to be done in the Knoxville area. similarly, CSX appears to be spending a lot to improve the old L&N's Chicago-Nashville-Atlanta line. I'd love somebody to force CSX to run a New Floridian train on the route.