RICHMOND, Va. — The Commonwealth of Virginia and Norfolk Southern have finalized an agreement to extend service to the New River Valley, outgoing Gov. Ralph Northam announced last week.
The Roanoke Times reports the agreement will allow for a train between Roanoke and the New River Valley while preserving current freight service. As part of the deal, Virginia will acquire 28 miles of NS’ V Line between Christiansburg, Va., and crossovers in Salem, Va., as well as an easement between the crossovers and the Roanoke Amtrak station. The commonwealth will also invest in infrastructure improvements between Manassas and the Roanoke yard.
Estimates suggest the service will lead to 80,000 new passengers in the first year along the Interstate 81 and Route 29 corridors. An initial agreement was reached in May 2021 [see “Virginia, Norfolk Southern reach agreement …,” Trains News Wire, May 5, 2021]. The deal was finalized following approval by the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority board of directors.
“This agreement with the Commonwealth of Virginia is a great example of government and business partnership,” NS CEO Jim Squires said in a press release. “Together, we have created a path forward to increase passenger rail service and ensure that freight rail customers continue to move the goods that power our economy.”
This former segment of the Washington – Memphis ‘Tennessean’ route is crawling closer to Chattanooga and Memphis.
However, for true long distance service the revival of New York – Washington – Chattanooga – Memphis service must be part of Amtrak’s expansion programme not dependent on state funding. The new train would be similarly be equipped like ‘The Crescent’ and ‘The Silver Meteor’.
Was the word REQUIRE or AQUIRE for the line
“Virginia will require 28 miles of NS’s V Line”
As usual, maps would help. A Google search shows Christianburg is by Blacksburg, site of Virginia Tech. Is that the new terminal, or will the service go further? Toward Bristol?
Cost to taxpayers? It’ll be a drop in the bucket compared to taxes spent on roads and airports and wasted on millions of other things. For the life of me I can’t understand why readers of Trains Magazine get so bent up about tax dollars being spent on train service. If it were going to make taxes go up one cent I might could understand. But it won’t. For folks who enjoy trains as I assume most Trains readers are, why not question tax dollars sent on something we don’t enjoy?
Cost to taxpayers??
TBD?
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the service to Roanoke was actually turning a profit. Extending to the New River Valley will open up even more markets and I won’t be surprised to see farebox recovery be at or above 100% in a few years. This is one example of if you build it, they will ride.