Amtrak to Christiansburg

[NW Mailing List]

That turned into the boondoggle that we all thought it would. How much has that cost the state of Virginia ? I would bet the sale back to NS will be pennies on the dollar.  Typical of politicians wasting money sure has been entertaining 

Larry Evans



Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 28, 2024, at 11:59 AM, NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:
> 
> 
> It has taken longer than it should, but Norfolk Southern and the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority have come to terms on a new plan to extend Amtrak service to the edge of the New River Valley. NS relented and agreed that the former N&W line from Roanoke to Radford could be used for an occasional passenger train.
> 
> The new plan will use the existing Christiansburg passenger station as the terminal stop of westward Amtrak service. The agreement calls for NS to construct a high-level platform with canopy and other facilities at the station in Cambria and to build a layover facility in Radford (which makes sense, because the train can be turned at Walton; there is also ample room in Radford yard). The station and layover facility will then be turned over to the VPRA. The station will be operated by the New River Valley Passenger Station Authority.
> 
>  Construction in Christiansburg is expected to start in January. Service is projected to begin in 2027.
> 
> The new agreement may also lead to adding a much-desired station stop in Bedford. It also opens up the possibility of making Radford a station stop and makes service to Bristol a future goal. It is also cheaper than the original plan. The VPRA purchased the former Virginian line from NS. The authority ownership starts at MP V-250.93, the Salem Crossovers, just under the U.S. 11 bridge in Salem. It ends at MP V-279.0, location of the former pusher siding at Shelby just west of the west portal of Merrimac Tunnel. To make use of that line would have required $546 million to build a station, upgrade Slate Hill and Merrimac tunnels, and replace several bridges. The current plan is projected to cost $444 million.
> 
> To help finance the deal, the Virginian line will be sold back to NS. The VPRA will then, with assistance from the Virginia Railway Express, purchase the Manassas Line in Northern Virginia. That will help improve VRE service.
> 
> The downside is a missed opportunity with the Virginian -- turning it into an interurban line between Blacksburg and Roanoke. Minimal station facilities at the proposed Jennelle Road site, push/pull trainsets, and extension of service on the Winston-Salem line would make for a better connection between VT and its facilities in the growing medical district. Frequent service, along the lines of the Smartway Bus, would cut down on traffic on I-81 and would be a plus for reducing reliance on cars to get between the two locations. 
> 
> But it will be nice to board a train in Christiansburg again, which hasn't been possible since the Hilltopper was killed in a fit of politics.
> 
> See https://cardinalnews.org/2024/08/27/new-plan-to-return-amtrak-to-new-river-valley-gets-state-authoritys-ok/
> 
> Bruce in Blacksburg
> 
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