April

• Dave from asks
  Can we get the monitors back online on the Manassas platform? Will they feature the NEW home-page design we were supposed to see about a year (or more) ago?

  VRE Response
  Great question Dave.  There are multiple issues at the Manassas station.  Both screens need to be replaced, and we have a contractor scheduled to do so.  The system in our comm box needed updated/replaced and this work has been completed.  The new design will not be implemented immediately on the screens, however you will be able to view the information in the new format through our mobile version in the next month or so.  When we get a specific date for the screen replacements, we'll let you know.

   

• Dave from Manassas VA asks
  For background, I've been riding the VRE to either L'Enfant of Union Station virtually every workday since 2009. I was looking at the project page for the Manassas Park Parking Garage...all very interesting . Of course, the planning began in 2016...before the pandemic and the huge drop in ridership. That said, there's a link on the project page (right above the time-lapse construction video) to view project-related documents. Selecting that link results in a page which displays "1.09.02 Public Distribution does not allow public access." Since there's a public link, why aren't the documents viewable?

  VRE Response
  Sorry Dave, we'll check out the error code and have the developer correct the issue.  In the meantime, if you send us your contact information to gotrains@vre.org we'll have someone from the Project team reach out to answer any questions you may have.

   

   

• Doug from Fredericksburg, Virginia asks
  Hello - thanks for doing this forum, and thanks for running an outstanding public service! Do you know when the new staircase at the southern (western? ) end of Fredericksburg Station will open (the Track 2 side of the platform)? Not sure if this is under VRE's control, but anything you know would be helpful. Thanks again!

  VRE Response
  Thanks for the question Doug.  The project team and contractors are finishing everything up now.  We expect to be able to do the ribbon cutting by mid-May.  As soon as we get a specific date, we'll let everyone know.

   

   

• Wes from Stafford, VA asks
  Can it be reinforced that conductors should check for tickets? The last couple of weeks on my trip from Brooke to L'enfant, the conductor has not checked tickets northbound or southbound.

  VRE Response
  We will make sure the crews get briefed on this again, immediately.

   

• Jeffrey from Fredericksburg, VA asks
  Has VRE ever considered doing a heritage paint scheme for some of its locomotives like the other commuter railroads are doing?

  VRE Response
  We have not Jeffrey, but never say never.

   

• Sam from Manassas Park asks
  Why does Manassas 328 always have to wait when there's a late Fredericksburg train? This morning 328 had to yet again pull over, sit and wait for the late train to pass. According to the conductor CSX would not let us pass even though Fredericksburg was very late behind 328. Why make all of us wait?

  VRE Response
  Thanks for the question Sam. We can take this morning's service as an example: The CSX dispatcher generally lines up the railroad according to schedule so they can better focus their attention across the entire network.  306 is scheduled to arrive at Alexandria before 328, so it was lined to go first.  The process of taking a signal from 306 and giving the signal to 328 takes 10-15 minutes, so by the time we were able to speak with CSX about changing the order of trains, it would have caused both trains to sit while the signals timed down.  Our Comm Room staff work with the host railroads during the service to help catch issues like this, but with all the freight congestion out there, we were unable to make the change early enough to keep 328 moving.

• Paul from Spotsylvania va asks
  Just want to touch base on the service as of late.I know some times VRE has no control over certain situations but anymore you never know if the train will be on time.Wish there were trains in the afternoon that didn't stop at every station.

  VRE Response
  Hi Paul, thanks for the question.  Our On Time Performance has not been where we want it to be. The primary reason for the delays is congestion from other train traffic and in the terminal at Union Station.  There have been other issues which affect multiple trains like system and signal issues.  We  are also seeing some speed restrictions due to ongoing track work, including activity between Brooke and Quantico for the new station project and the third track which will be added through the area.  We work with the host railroads daily to help minimize the effects of this work and will continue to do so.

  While we do not have any immediate plans for southbound express trains, we are looking at incorporating express trains in both directions as the service grows.

   

• Leah from Fredericksburg, VA asks
  Do you know why the dirt lot at Leeland closed?

  VRE Response
  The gravel lot at Leeland Road was being leased by Stafford County from the developer.  The developer now has other plans for the space.

   

• Paula from Woodbridge, VA asks
  Is the lot at Rippon going to be repaired? It is torn up and the holes are getting bigger and deeper.

  VRE Response
  From our Facilities staff:

  The portion needing repair is the perimeter driveway from the NE corner of the main lot to the entrance to the upper lot. The developer who utilized the upper lot during construction will be repaving that portion soon. The work is currently scheduled for 4/15, weather permitting.

   

Good afternoon and welcome to the Virginia Railway Express Online Forum for April 2024.

As mentioned at last month’s forum, VRE’s Meet the Management is coming right up.  We plan to kick it off at Union Station on Wednesday, April 17 during the PM service.  Check back for confirmation and the full schedule in the coming days. 

Today, we have representatives from CSX, Amtrak, and Keolis on hand to answer your questions, so let’s get started.