Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced the launch of expanded rail service from Richmond to the Northeast Corridor. The Amtrak Northeast Regional Route 51 will now offer early morning service from Main Street Station, getting travelers from Downtown Richmond to Washington D.C., when the workday begins or to New York for a lunchtime meeting. The new train is the first expansion of service under Governor Northam’s Transforming Rail in Virginia Program to significantly expand rail infrastructure throughout the Commonwealth.
Governor Northam celebrated the milestone this morning from the tracks at Main Street Station as the first train departed at 5:35 a.m.
The newly expanded service has stops at a variety of destinations in the Northeast Corridor. Travelers can choose from three daily departure times, two in the morning and one in the evening.
The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority supports four Northeast Regional routes. Service originates in Newport News, Norfolk, Richmond, and Roanoke. These routes allow passengers to travel to cities along the East Coast without needing to change trains.
Main Street Station is a National Historic Landmark located in Richmond’s Shockoe Bottom district. It is served by Amtrak, GRTC, RVA Bike Share, and Megabus. The station’s Virginia Welcome Center is stocked with information about local and statewide tourist destinations.
Amtrak service was restored to the station in 2003. The train shed opened in 2018 as a 47,000 square foot event space. This station serves a variety of transportation needs. Most recently, a Pulse bus rapid transit service stop was added at the entrance.
Transforming Rail in Virginia is a $3.7 billion program to expand and improve passenger, commuter, and freight rail in Virginia. It will connect the Northeast and Southeast corridors in America’s national rail network. In partnership with CSX, Amtrak, and VRE, Virginia is constructing a new Long Bridge over the Potomac dedicated to passenger and commuter rail. In addition, 386 miles of rail right-of-way and 223 miles of track were acquired, and more than $1 billion was invested for additional rail infrastructure.
Over the next 10 years, these investments will result in nearly hourly Amtrak service between Richmond and Washington, D.C. Amtrak service will also be enhanced for Newport News and Norfolk. VRE services will increase by 75 percent along the I-95 Corridor and weekend service will be added.
-via Press Release