Virginia service Northeast Regional

the colonial @ fredericksburg in 1980s

some northeast regional trains continue virginia, serving richmond, norfolk, newport news, lynchburg, , points in between. these tracks not electrified , owned freight railroads; segments including tracks through acca yard in richmond have severe speed restrictions.

after amtrak took on intercity passenger service on may 1, 1971, rail service in virginia limited small number of long-distance trains, not suited regional travel. regional service south newport news via alexandria, richmond, , williamsburg began on june 14, 1976, when amtrak ended newport news section of james whitcomb riley , colonial added in place. long-standing service newport news, 2 daily round trips, has sufficiently high farebox recovery no subsidy commonwealth of virginia required.

map of transdominion express routes proposed



a virginian northeast regional crosses james river near lynchburg in 2011

from 1996 2007, 6 different studies performed on transdominion express project, have created 2 new intercity rail routes bristol richmond , washington. final study recommended against full plan, citing high cost , low ridership, , instead proposed further action focused on corridors highest ratio of demand cost. 70% of predicted ridership between washington , lynchburg (already served crescent) , 96% between washington , bristol, while richmond demand largely north-south service on existing route.

the commonwealth of virginia , amtrak partnered in 2009 under brand amtrak virginia expand passenger rail service within commonwealth, making virginia 15th state fund state services in addition federally funded routes. 1 daily northeast regional round trip extended washington lynchburg on october 1, 2009, supplementing existing crescent service. in first month, ridership doubled expectations. on july 20, 2010, amtrak added additional northeast regional frequency washington richmond staples mill road station, increasing washington-richmond corridor 8 daily round trips hourly northbound morning service.

a further extension south richmond norfolk along norfolk southern tracks planned department of rail & public transportation (drpt), , commonwealth of virginia in cooperation amtrak. track upgrades (e.g., passing sidings, replacing track increase operating speeds) between richmond , norfolk necessary enable extension funded jointly norfolk southern , drpt. service started on december 12, 2012.

on august 9, 2013, announced amtrak hoped complete track , infrastructure upgrades in order bring train service roanoke, virginia 2016. project encountered delays, , late 2016 service planned begin in late 2017 single train extended lynchburg serving city daily after construction of roanoke station platform, begin in 2017 , take of year. amtrak began service roanoke on october 31, 2017.