Manassas Line

Manassas Line
VRE train in Manassas station.
Overview
StatusOperating
OwnerNorfolk Southern Railway, CSX Transportation
LocaleWashington, D.C., Fairfax County, Virginia, Prince William County, Virginia
Termini
Stations10
Service
TypeCommuter rail
SystemVirginia Railway Express
Train number(s)321–338
Operator(s)Virginia Railway Express
History
OpenedJune 22, 1992
Technical
Line length35 miles (56 km)
Charactergrade-separated, Underground and above ground
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Operating speed79 mph (127km/h) (top)
26.6mph (42.5km/h) (average)
Route map
Map Manassas Line highlighted in blue
Union Station DC Streetcar Amtrak
L'Enfant
Crystal City
Alexandria Amtrak
Backlick Road
Rolling Road
Burke Centre Amtrak
Clifton
(seasonal)
Manassas Park
Manassas Amtrak
Broad Run Manassas Regional Airport
Both VRE services sharing track

Handicapped/disabled access All stations are accessible
Broad Run Station - western terminus of the Manassas Line

The Manassas Line is a Virginia Railway Express commuter rail service that extends from Washington, D.C. to Bristow, Virginia.[1] The first of VRE's two lines, with service beginning on June 22, 1992,[2] the line operates on tracks owned by CSX Transportation (the RF&P Subdivision) and Norfolk Southern Railway (the Washington District).[3]

History

[edit]

The line south of Alexandria, Virginia, was once owned by Southern Railway, whose Crescent train stopped at the line's Alexandria and Manassas stations. When U.S. intercity passenger service was taken over by Amtrak, the new railroad continued the Crescent service between New Orleans and New York City.[4]

In 1984, planning began for a commuter rail service for the area. Eight years later, after many new stations were constructed, Virginia Railway Express began operating trains on the line on June 22, 1992.

In 2009, Amtrak extended its Northeast Regional service south to Lynchburg, bringing more trains to Manassas and Burke Centre.[5]

In 2017, VRE began a $2.8 million study of expansion to the Broad Run station and layover facility that would allow additional Manassas Line service.[6]

As of June 2024, the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority is negotiating with Norfolk Southern to purchase the portion of the Washington District between Broad Run and Alexandria used by VRE.[7]

Stations list

[edit]
State Location Station Connections
District of Columbia Washington Union Station AmtrakAmtrak: Acela, Capitol Limited, Cardinal, Carolinian, Crescent, Northeast Regional, Palmetto, Silver Meteor, Silver Star, Vermonter, Amtrak Thruway to Charlottesville, Virginia
MARC: Brunswick Line, Camden Line, Penn Line
Virginia Railway Express VRE: Fredericksburg Line
Metrorail:
DC Streetcar DC Streetcar: H Street/Benning Road Line
Bus interchange Bus: Metrobus, Loudoun County Commuter Bus, OmniRide, MTA Commuter Bus
L'Enfant Virginia Railway Express VRE: Fredericksburg Line
Metrorail:
Bus interchange Bus: Metrobus, Loudoun County Commuter Bus. OmniRide Commuter, MTA Commuter Bus
Virginia Arlington Crystal City Virginia Railway Express VRE: Fredericksburg Line
Metrorail:
Metroway Metroway
Bus interchange Bus: Metrobus, Arlington Transit, Fairfax Connector, Loudoun County Commuter Bus, OmniRide Commuter
Alexandria Alexandria AmtrakAmtrak: Northeast Regional
Virginia Railway Express VRE: Fredericksburg Line
Metrorail:
Bus interchange Bus: Metrobus, DASH Bus
Springfield Backlick Road Bus interchange Bus: Metrobus, Fairfax Connector
Burke Rolling Road Bus interchange Bus: Metrobus
Burke Centre AmtrakAmtrak: Northeast Regional
Bus interchange Bus: Metrobus, Fairfax Connector
Manassas Park Manassas Park Bus interchange Bus: OmniRide Commuter
Manassas Manassas AmtrakAmtrak: Northeast Regional
Bus interchange Bus: OmniRide Commuter
Bristow Broad Run Manassas Regional Airport Manassas Regional Airport

References

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  1. ^ "VRE System Map". Virginia Railway Express.
  2. ^ Fehr & Sanchez (June 18, 1992). "Getting On Track". Washington Post. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  3. ^ "VRE Frequently Asked Questions". Virginia Railway Express. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  4. ^ "Crescent". Amtrak. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  5. ^ "Burke Centre Now An Amtrak Stop". Railfanning.org. January 18, 2010. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  6. ^ "VRE throttles back Gainesville, Haymarket expansion plans". Trains Magazine. March 21, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  7. ^ "VPRA and Norfolk Southern in Discussions for New Rail Agreement" (Press release). Virginia Passenger Rail Authority. June 4, 2024.

See also

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