NEWS RELEASE – August 27, 2024
Deal includes purchase of Manassas Line and access to Main Line
RICHMOND —
The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority’s (VPRA) Board of Directors today voted to advance a new agreement with Norfolk Southern Corporation to purchase the Manassas Line and gain access to Norfolk Southern’s main line (N-Line) which will increase passenger rail options for thousands of Virginians. Through this new agreement, VPRA will have the ability to extend its state-supported Amtrak Virginia service to the New River Valley (NRV) sooner and at a lower cost than originally planned. In addition, the purchase of the Manassas Line will enable VPRA to increase the Virginia Railway Express’ (VRE) Manassas Line service in the future with additional frequencies including evening and weekend options.
“We are so pleased that the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority’s Board of Directors today voted to advance a better, faster, and cheaper solution to bring passenger rail back to a historic location in the New River Valley while also providing opportunities to bolster service in Northern Virginia, said Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin. “We are excited to deliver these benefits as we continue to accelerate results not only in these two regions, but across the entire Commonwealth.”
“We look forward to finalizing this agreement, which will make passenger rail a viable option for even more Virginians,” said DJ Stadtler, Executive Director of VPRA. “We appreciate Norfolk Southern’s partnership and look forward to working with them to expand passenger rail in the Commonwealth.”
“At Norfolk Southern, we know the power rail has to connect communities and grow economies, and we’re proud to play a role in helping VPRA in its mission to support and expand the availability of passenger and commuter rail service in the Commonwealth,” said Norfolk Southern Chief Strategy Officer Mike McClellan. “We want to thank VPRA for its partnership and dedication in reaching an agreement that has the potential to benefit generations of Virginians with reliable, convenient rail travel, while also balancing the needs of the freight rail network the economy relies on.”
VPRA first announced it was in discussions with Norfolk Southern back in June. Responding to public input which supported service to Christiansburg along the N-Line and seeking a more cost-effective and timelier alternative for that service, VPRA reached out to Norfolk Southern who agreed to re-open negotiations. Over the past three months, the two have worked together to develop plans which will allow passenger rail service to return to Christiansburg via Norfolk Southern’s Cambria Yard, which previously served the community from 1904 to 1979.
The inclusion of the Manassas Line in the deal will give VPRA the flexibility to work with VRE to expand service along their Manassas Line. The ability to add evening and weekend service is something the commuter agency has recently sought as commuting trends have changed, and the need for service beyond traditional commuting times has increased. The combination of the 2024 VPRA-Norfolk Southern agreement with the 2021 VPRA-CSX agreement means that when the six Phase 1 Transforming Rail in Virginia Construction Projects are complete additional VRE roundtrips could start not only on the Fredericksburg Line but on the Manassas Line as well. Currently, VRE offers eight roundtrips on the Manassas Line with stops at Broad Run, Manassas, Manassas Park, Burke Centre, Rolling Road, Backlick Road, Alexandria, Crystal City, L’Enfant, and Washington Union Station.
Following the Board of Directors vote, VPRA leadership will move forward to finalize the agreement with Norfolk Southern and close the deal in early September.
About Virginia Passenger Rail Authority
The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority was established in 2020 to promote, sustain, and expand the availability of passenger and commuter rail service in the Commonwealth. VPRA is committed to delivering and expanding its state-supported Amtrak Virginia passenger rail service. The Commonwealth of Virginia first launched state-supported service in 2009 with one roundtrip between Washington, DC and Lynchburg, VA. Since that time, the Commonwealth’s service has grown to include eight roundtrips daily with stops at 17 stations along four corridors. For more information, please visit vapassengerrailauthority.org.
About Norfolk Southern
Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a customer-centric and operations-driven freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid approximately 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver more than 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods, and Norfolk Southern originates more automotive traffic than any other Class I Railroad. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S. It serves a majority of the country’s population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as major ports in the Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting www.NorfolkSouthern.com.
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